Ako Salt and Ako Ronin: Castle Town Associated with Chushingura and Harima Bay Salt Field Culture

Ako City, Hyogo is a historic city that flourished as a castle town of Harima Province during the Edo period. It is nationally known as the setting of "Chushingura," famous for the 1701 "incident in the Pine Corridor" and the following 1702 raid by the forty-seven ronin on the Kira residence.

(Note: Ako City is in Hyogo Prefecture, but is easily accessible from Kurashiki City and Okayama City via the JR Ako Line)

Ako Castle Ruins and Oishi Shrine

"Ako Castle" ruins built on a hilltop overlooking Harima Bay are designated as a National Historic Site. "Oishi Shrine" built in the Sannomaru enshrines the forty-seven ronin, famous for the forty-seven ronin statues in the precincts. The "Ako Gishi Festival" commemorating the raid is held annually on December 14.

History of Ako Salt

During the Edo period, Ako actively produced salt using "irihama-style salt fields" utilizing Harima Bay seawater, and "Ako salt" was nationally known as high-quality salt. Currently, "Ako no Shio" products reviving this tradition are sold at local souvenir shops.

Access

About 20 minutes on foot or by bus from JR Ako Line Ako Station to Oishi Shrine. About 1 hour by train from Okayama Station.