Akita City (Japan Akita)

Akita (Akita-shi) is the principal port and the capital city of Japan's Akita Prefecture (Honshu Island's Tohoku region), with population around 315,000. The seaport is on the Sea of Japan (to the west), while the Omono River runs through downtown.

Port Akita (locode JPAXT) is officially classified as "Major Port" and has total land area approx 663 hectares (6,6 km2). During Edo/Tokugawa period (1603-1868), Akita was a major port on the coastal trade route from Osaka to Hokkaido. During the Meiji period (1868-1912) was finished a breakwater (in 1885) that was further expanded in 1902.

Port Tsuchizakiko was designated as “secondary port” in 1910. When in 1941 Tsuchizaki was merged with Akita, the port was officially renamed “Akita Port”. Most of its facilities were heavily damaged during the US air raids in August 1945. After WW2 (1939-1945), the seaport was improved. Its breakwater was extended via the sinking of damaged Japanese military vessels (including the Matsu-class destroyers Take and Momo). The Japanese government classed Akita as “major port” in 1951 and as “special port” in 1962. Its Customs Office opened in 1964, allowing international shipping trade. Northern Port's extension was completed in 1970.