Akishima: Culture, Festivals and Nature

In Akishima, cultural history, seasonal festivals and riverside themes come together as distinct highlights to consider when planning your trip. The story of the whale fossil features in a local collection and a life-size replica; festivals, nature watching and opportunities for outdoor activity also shape the area’s appeal. You can tailor your stay to the themes that interest you most.

Cultural history surrounding the Akishima whale

The local history room on the first floor of the International Exchange, Education and Culture Building in Akishima features audiovisual content using modern ICT technology, as well as fossils of the Akishima whale. The collection also includes pottery, historical documents, everyday items and festival float figures from Haijima’s Hiyoshi Shrine. Natural history and local themes thus come together in one space.

A life-size replica of the Akishima whale fossil welcomes visitors to Akishima. It is about 13.5 meters long. Another link to the area’s history is provided by the several Jodo Kofun burial mounds, which date to the second half of the 7th century.

Festivals throughout the year

The Nakagami Lion Dance is performed in mid-April during the spring prayer ceremony. It is designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Tokyo Metropolis. The Sakaki Festival is part of the main festival at Hiyoshi Shrine and is held in mid-September. The tradition dates back more than 250 years; the procession with the Sakaki mikoshi begins at midnight.

At the first New Year festival at Haijima Daishi, the stalls of the Daruma Market extend beyond the temple grounds into the adjacent Haijima Park. A summer highlight is the Akishima Citizen Whale Festival, which has a history spanning more than 50 years. It originated with the discovery of a fossil of a new whale species on the banks of the Tama River in Akishima in August 1961. The program includes a parade, stage performances and a large fireworks display. These events span the calendar from the first New Year festival through spring and into late summer. If you plan to time your trip around a festival, check the specific event dates before booking.

Riverside scenery, nature and outdoor activity

Akishima Waterfront School is on the left bank of the Tama River, upstream of the Hino-Yōsui weir in the south of Akishima City. The grounds include an oxbow lake with a large pond, a small pond, a wetland, a wooden walkway and a small hill. The site is designed as a place where children and adults can play, learn and relax together. The wooden walkway and oxbow lake are currently unavailable due to damage from a previous typhoon.

Fish such as ugui and oikawa swim in this area, while herons and ducks rest there. Dandelions and watercress bloom depending on the season. Spring water emerges in some places. These changing natural features offer a different focus from the festival dates and historical collections.

Walking Route F along the Tamagawa Josui Canal runs from Haijima Station to Matsunaka Bridge and takes about one hour and 30 minutes. It offers a named route and an approximate duration for a walk. Showa Park, meanwhile, has baseball and athletics facilities, tennis courts and a sports center. It also features a small zoo, an educational facility with a steam locomotive, play equipment such as swings and slides, and fitness equipment.

For planning purposes, these themes are clearly distinct: Akishima Waterfront School focuses on habitats and seasonal observations, while Walking Route F offers a defined route with an approximate duration. Showa Park adds sports and play facilities to the mix.

Discover more destinations: Nozawa, Arakawa, Kiyose, Akiruno, Hamura, Hachiōji, Okutama, Ōshima

For the main travel overview: Tokyo.