TID Travel Journal "Ako Travelogue"   By TID, Autumn 2008 update

In the issue this autumn I would like to introduce Ako City. Located in the south-western part of Hyogo Prefecture Ako City has developed along the Sea of Harima and the clear stream of the Chikusa River. The area of the city is 126.9 km² and it has a population of 51,619. Facing the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, Ako has many kinds of special marine products: salt, oysters, seaweed, and conger eels are just a few. Ako produces industrial goods as well such as chemicals, iron and steel, ceramics, electronic appliances and plastics. Ako is also a historical city and Chushingura, the story of the 47 samurai, is known nationwide as the epitome of loyalty that Japanese people had in the Samurai period. Ako Castle Ruins, Kagakuji Temple, and Oishi shrine tell more of the story. Ako has cultural and recreational bases as well. Harmony Hall is a cultural hall which holds authentic concerts, plays and art shows. In the city there are many museums such as Ako City Museum of History, Ako City Museums of Folk Culture, Ako Tabuchi Memorial Museum of Art, Ako Toys Museum and Tadenohana Museum. Ako Seaside Park has many sports and leisure facilities with beautiful verdant scenery and cool sea breeze.

On a hot day in early September I visited Ako City. I took a JR train, got off at Sakoshi Station and changed to the Shinki Bus bound for Sakoshi Port. Sakoshi port is situated in a natural harbor and in the past it has been used as a base for shipping salt, sake etc.

First I visited the Okuto Brewery Museum. The Okuto Sake Brewery was established in 1601 and is ranked 7th oldest enterprise in Hyogo Prefecture. The Okuto Family served as the village headman in the feudal age. It is very famous as the brewer of the local sake Chushingura. In the museum tools and barrels for making sake used during the Edo period, tools and materials for shipping and the historical documentation of Sakoshi Village are exhibited.

I found four of the display items curiosities. Rice in the husk from 1300 years ago, a small statue of Buddha with cross, a pearl grown in an asari clam shell and a shellfish fossil.

[Okuto Brewery Museum]

Open:	9:00 - 17:00
Closed:	Sundays, national holidays, December 30 - January 4
Admission:	Free
Access:	5 minute ride on Shinki Bus for Kojima and get off at Sakoshi Port (bus service is quite a few) 30 minute walk from JR Sakoshi Station
Address:	1419-1 Sakoshi, Ako City
Tel:	0791-48-8005 (telephone application in advance is necessary)

Then I visited Sakoshi Machinamikan (Tourist Information & Exhibition Center) and Kyu-Sakoshiura Kaisho constructed in early 19th century and used as a club and an exclusive rest house for the lord of the Ako domain. In the Sakoshi area there is a row of old houses that is interesting for tourists.

I went back to JR Sakoshi Station on foot and took the train for Banshu Ako.

In the afternoon I visited the Ako Seaside Park built on the site of former salt farms. The Museum of Oceanography, Salt Land, WakuwakuLand (amusement park) and tennis courts are in the park. These recreational facilities cater to people of all ages. Tourists can also enjoy clam-digging, swimming and windsurfing at the Karasen Sun Beach to the south of the park.

Next I visited the Ako Marine Science Museum. There are various exhibitions based on the themes of the Seto Inland Sea and salt. "Salt Land" (shionokuni) restored salt farm facilities, is right next to the museum and offers visitors the chance to experience making salt.

I also visited the special exhibit entitled "Interesting science exhibits on salt." At one of the corners there were rock salts excavated or produced in Germany, Spain, Chile, Mexico, Poland, Mali, USA, Niger and Bulgaria. The largest rock salt was produced in Bulgaria and weighs 1.42 ton. At the Seto Inland Sea Corner in another building the formation and origin of the Seto Inland Sea was introduced. Fishes in the Seto Inland Sea were on display in a glass tank. Other exhibits were science in the seawater, resources at the bottom of the sea, wave movement and speed, and future ocean development. At another corner Our City Ako introduces the geological and geographical features, climate, vegetation, the Ikishima virgin forest and animals of Ako. Outside the museum is very comfortable. I could see the pond, the sea and feel a cool breeze.

[AkoMarine Science Museum]

Open:	9:30 - 16:30 (Last entry: 16:00)
Closed:	Tuesday (When Tuesday is a national holiday the museum will be closed Wednesday) December 28 - January 4
Admission:	Adult: ¥200, Jr. High and Elementary Students: ¥100
Access:	10 minutes ride on taxi from JR Banshu Ako Station
Address:	1891-4 Misaki,Ako
Tel:	0791-43-4192
URL:	http://www2.memenet.or.jp/~akoharm/marine/

Then I proceed to downtown Ako City and visited four tourist spots.

[Ako City Museum of History]

Known as the "House of Salt and Loyal Samurai," this museum displays many local historical articles featuring the four themes of Ako: salt, Loyal Samurai, the old water conduit system and Ako as a castle town. On the 1st floor a salt drying system and salt producing instruments are displayed. A model of Ako Castle and castle town, Ako Loyal Samurai, the old Ako water conduit system are displayed on the second floor. There is a play area for children as well as a video corner.

Open:	9:30 - 17:00 (Last entry: 16:30)
Closed:	Tuesday (When Tuesday is a national holiday the museum will be closed Wednesday) December 28 - January 4
Admission:	Adult (Sr. High School Student and over), Jr. High and Elementary School Student: ¥100
Access:	20 minute walk from JR Banshu Ako Station
Address:	916-1 Kami-Kariya, Ako City
Tel:	0791-43-4600
URL:	http://www2.memenet.or.jp/~akoharm/rekishi/

[Ako Castle Ruins]

The castle was built by the wealthy Lord Asano Naganao in 1645 (Edo Period: 1603 - 1867). During that time, Lord Asano and his family controlled 53,000 koku of rice (one koku is the average annual rice consumption per person, 180.39 liters). Restoration of the stone walls and inner citadel gate is currently taking place in order to preserve it as one of the city's symbols.

[Oishi Shrine]

Oishi Shrine was dedicated to the Loyal Samurai (Gishi), lords and generals of the Asano and Mori families. There is a house containing wooden statues of the Loyal Samurai, and also a treasure house in which tourists can see related armor, paintings and calligraphy works.

[Kagakuji Temple]

Kagakuji Temple was erected for the families of the successive lords of Ako (the Asano, Nagai and Mori families) to be used for their hereditary religion and conducting funerals. Tombstones of the Loyal Samurai are preserved here.

In Ako there are many other attractive tourist locations like the Ruins of Oishi's House, Ako Tabuchi Memorial Museum of Art, Ako Dantsu (cotton carpet) Kariya Workshop and Ako Misaki (cape) National Park.

I recommend a stay at Ako Hot Springs if you have time. On this visit I had a wonderful time visiting some interesting tourist sights and learning about Ako.