is a city located in KÃ Âchi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 16,370 in 8076 households and a population density of 52 persons per km<sup>2</sup>. The total area of the city is .
Aki is located in southeastern KÃ Âchi Prefecture, facing Tosa Bay of the Pacific Ocean to the south and bordered by mountains to the north. The urban area is on the plains of the Aki River.
KÃ Âchi Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture
Aki has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers and cool winters. There is significant precipitation throughout the year, especially during June and July. The average annual temperature in Aki is . The average annual rainfall is with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around . The highest temperature ever recorded in Aki was on 21 August 2016; the coldest temperature ever recorded was on 26 February 1981.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Aki in 2020 is 16,243 people. Aki has been conducting censuses since 1950.
As with all of Kà Âchi Prefecture, the area of Aki was part of ancient Tosa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tosa Domain ruled by the Yamauchi clan from their seat at Kà Âchi Castle. Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Aki was established within Aki District, Kà Âchi with the creation of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889. Aki was elevated to town status on November 21, 1895. On August 1, 1954, Aki merged with the villages of Ananai (ç©´å æÂÂ), Ioki (ä¼Âå°¾æ¨æÂÂ), Kawakita (å·ÂÃ¥ÂÂæÂÂ), Higashigawa (æ±å·ÂæÂÂ), Hatayama (çÂÂå±±æÂÂ), Inokuchi (äºÂãÂÂå£æÂÂ), Doi (Ã¥ÂÂå± æÂÂ), and Akano (赤éÂÂæÂÂ) to form the city of Aki.
Aki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 14 members. Aki, together with the village of Geisei, contributes one member to the KÃ Âchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of KÃ Âchi 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Traditionally, forestry and charcoal production were mainstays of the local economy, along with commercial fishing and agriculture. In particular, the city is of the leading eggplant and yuzu production areas in Japan.
Aki has nine public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government and one public middle school and two public high schools operated by the KÃ Âchi Prefectural Department of Education.
Tosa Kuroshio Railway - Asa Line
Aki City is an agricultural city where many farmers reside and thus, is well known for its locally grown eggplant (ãªãÂÂ), dekopon, yuzu, and tobacco. It is also well known for a dish called chirimendon (ã¡ãÂÂãÂÂãÂÂ丼), a bowl of rice covered in tiny sardines, green onions, and tsuyu sauce.
Every August, Aki City holds a Yosakoi (ãÂÂãÂÂãÂÂãÂÂ) festival and parade in the city. Since Yosakoi dance originated in Kà Âchi Prefecture, many cities around the prefecture hold smaller-scale festivals in relation to the main three-day Yosakoi festival in Kà Âchi, which draws groups of performers from all over Japan. Aki City's festival is one of the larger festivals held on the east side of Kochi Prefecture, and takes place over two weekends in August. Various groups from around the city, nearby cities, as well as groups from Tokushima Prefecture and Ehime Prefecture come and perform in the Aki City Yosakoi festival in preparation for the three-day festival in Kà Âchi.
Another well-known festival held in Aki City is the Aki City Candle-Light Festival and Illumination Event. This event takes place over two days and is held around the mid-end of December. The festivities take place in front of the Aki City train station where local music groups, junior high school bands, and high school bands perform while various local restaurants set-up stalls to sell food, drinks, and other local products. The event takes place around the birthday of Iwasaki Yatarà  and is thus included in the festivities. There is also a very large display of handmade candles set up around the station, and nearby residence often participate by setting up Christmas "illuminations" and elaborate light displays.
Since Kà Âchi Prefecture is well known for shodo (æ¸éÂÂ) or calligraphy, the Aki City Calligraphy Museum holds a nationwide calligraphy contest every May, and another contest for high school students every July/August. Calligraphy from all over Japan is sent in to be judged by highly regarded calligraphy teachers from the prefecture, and later displayed in a public exhibition. Along with this contest, Aki City also holds a general arts (photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, wood-work) contest every September/October in the Aki City Shuminkaikan.
Other than these larger events, Aki City is also the host to various small festivals, local music performances, art exhibitions, and events. In addition, every November, Aki City is host to the "Turtle Marathon," a marathon held for people ages 30 and over from all over Japan.