Akishima

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Akishima (昭島市 Akishima Shi) is a small city in western Tokyo, with a population of about 113,000 people (2020). The city is known for its pure water and lush greenery.

Understand

Discovery of the Akishima Whale

In the summer of 1961, a father was playing in the river with his son when he found what appeared to be a whale fossil, buried in the riverbank. This fossil was excavated and named the Akishima whale.

The city was fascinated by the whale, and decided to make it their official symbol. In 1973, the city held its first summer festival, and it featured a float of a whale.

51 years after the initial discovery of the fossil, in 2012, whale researcher Toshiyuki Kimura and his team decided to compare it with other whale fossils from all over the world, and concluded the whale was a unique species, which they named Eschrichtius akishimaensis, after Akishima.

Tourist information

Get in

Map of Akishima

By train

Get around

See

Large replica whale skeleton suspended in the air, inside a library.
See this massive replica of the Akishima whale fossil in Akishimaensis! The extinct Akishima whale is the only known relative of the Gray whale.
  • 35.71233139.368641 AkishimaensisCategory:Has map markers (アキシマエンシス 教育福祉総合センター Akishimaensis General Center for Education and Welfare). Closed on Mondays. Educational facility that contains a local heritage museum and a public library. Has a massive life-size replica of the Akishima whale fossil. Akishimaensis (Q125962971) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated Dec 2025)
  • 35.71139.3952 Showa Kinen ParkCategory:Has map markers (国営昭和記念公園). The largest park in Tokyo. Spanning over 160 hectares, this huge park boasts a variety of natural spaces, seasonal flowers, water features, museums and sports facilities. The park was opened in 1983 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign, on land reclaimed from a US air base. Showa Memorial Park on Wikipedia Shōwa Memorial Park (Q3915473) on Wikidata OSM directions (updated Dec 2025)
  • 35.7058139.346063 Haijima ParkCategory:Has map markers (拝島公園). Has one of the oldest Wisteria trees in Tokyo: it's over 800 years old! OSM directions (updated Dec 2025)
  • 35.705778139.3471394 Haijimadaishi TempleCategory:Has map markers (拝島大師). Buddhist temple next to Haijima Park. Haijima daishi (Q11497824) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2025)
  • 35.712727139.3772185 The Furniture MuseumCategory:Has map markers (家具の博物館). Houses over 1800 pieces of antique furniture, both Japanese and European. the Furniture Museum (Q104696867) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2025)

Do

Festivals and events

Buy

You can buy local souvenirs at Akishima Tourist Information, see "Understand".

Eat

Drink

A road sign with text saying "Gotetsu dori Avenue". To the left, there is a whale logo with "Akishima City" written in kanji.
This sign is one example of the whale iconography dotted throughout the city.
  • 35.70983139.376231 Mulberry FieldCategory:Has map markers (マルベリーフィールド), Nakagami-cho 1176-36 (1 min walk from Nakagami Station north exit), ☏ +81 42 544-3746. M–F 7:00-18:00 Sa Su 9:00–18:00. Small cozy bookshop/cafe where you can read a book while drinking good coffee. Also sells sandwiches and various sweets. ¥1000–2000, ¥100 charge to eat in. OSM directions (updated Dec 2025)

Sleep

  • 35.7146139.36061 Hotel S&SCategory:Has map markers (Akishima Station Hotel), Tanaka-cho 562-8 (1 min walk from Akishima Station north exit), ☏ +81 42 545-7200, fax: +81 42 545-7201. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Simple business hotel. ¥8600 single bed room, ¥13860 double bed room. OSM directions (updated Dec 2025)

Connect

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This city travel guide to Akishima is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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