Ako, Hyogo

Main street in Sakoshi

Remnants of Ako Castle

Akō (赤穂市; -shi) is a city located in Hyogo, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 51,951 and a density of 409.55 persons per km². The total area is 126.85 km².

The city was officially founded on September 1, 1951. The city faces Inland Sea and salt production is its main industry during the feudal time. Other industries are fishery and tourism thanks to a famous avengence by forty-seven Ronin in 1703, featured to Chushingura.

During the Edo period, Ako was a capital of Ako han. Ako han was a small han with 50,000 koku but rich thanks to salt production. Ako salt has been famous with its high quality. Some family of daimyos were appointed to the lord of it. One of them was Asano Naganori, the former lord of the Forty-seven Ronin.

Today the Ako castle remained in the center of city.

External links

* Official website
* Official website