Akashi
Akashi () is a city in Hyogo prefecture, Japan, to the west of Kobe.
Understand
Get in
To the south is the Sanyo Akashi Station, run by the private company Sanyo Electric Railway. It is on the Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line which connect Himeji to Kobe and runs parallel to the JR line.
The Shinkansen passes through Akashi at Nishi-Akashi (西明石) station. The Kodama, Hikari, and some eastbound Nozomi trains stop here.
Get around
See
Akashi CastleIt is ruins now with two turrets and stone walls remaining. The area surrounding the castle is a big park that is popular during cherry blossom season.
Akashi PlanetariumA great stop for the science fans. It's safe to assume that there won't be any English shows or tours but if you're content with just watching the pretty lights, are a huge science buff or are looking for a place to take a girl on a date it's worth a go.
Akashi BreweryA brewery that makes the local top drop, Akashi Beer. It's won numerous awards and is famous (albeit a little pricey) but people looking for a tour and a good drop should enjoy this destination. There is also a restaurant attached which has views of the ocean and Awaji Island.
Do
The beachWhile not spectacular, for people looking to cool off or hang out in the summer this is a nice alternative. While not as packed, jamming or popular as Suma Beach, people wanting a more relaxed scene or looking for somewhere to take kids and family should be pleased. Some seaside shops (海の店) are dotted along the sand in the summer months too. Fireworks are banned on the beach. The sand is coarse and the water is a little dirty. There are no waves either, which is good for kids or relaxing.
Buy
Uo no Tana ShotengaiHuge seafood market retailing everything that swims, creeps, crawls or just sits on the sea bottom. Unlike Tokyo's Tsukiji, this is actively tourist-friendly, with lots of prepared produce for souvenirs and restaurants for eating the stuff. On the road between station and port.
Malls and shopping districtsWhile nothing like Osaka, if you're looking for a department store to get some retail therapy there are a few options within Akashi. Tarumi is famous for some of its department stores and right infront of Ookubo Station is a huge department store that goes for 3 blocks. Ookubo's also houses a huge food court as well as a cinema if you're looking to catch a movie.
Eat
Akashi's also famous for its seaweed (明石のり) and its Bream (鯛).
Drink
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address: Summit City Building 1F, Aioi-Cho, Akashi, Japan, 673-0882This comfy bar is hidden in the middle of Akashi's comparatively large hostess bar district, on the ground floor of a nondescript white tiled building. The owner David is of a rare breed, an Irish bar owner who is actually from Ireland. The bar is a labour of love, the decorations growing and changing constantly. David's right-hand man, manager 'Rodem', knows far too much about Scotch and other whiskey. A real cosy place for Guinness on tap and a good chat. The sofas fill up quickly, and are a good place to hole up and watch the night unfold.
Sleep
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Guesthouse Lohas Home
address: 402-28 Taniyagi Okubo-cho Akashi-shiOcean-view hostel facing Tosetouchi Bay. The owner is an esthetitian, so you can have aromatic healing therapy and friendly staff, and a lovely dog will be waiting for you. Facilities: rooms with air-conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, internet, coffee, tea, shampoo, rinse, soap, Japanese sake cellar tour, organic farm tour, macrobiotic cooking, candle yoga, beach BBQ, jetski, windsurfing booking.
