During the Edo period, Akiya (then Akiya Village) in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was a territory directly controlled by the shogunate (tenryo), and was a peaceful village known for its beautiful nature and spectacular views of Sagami Bay, as well as being a transportation and transit point on the west coast.
Key Characteristics of Akiya in the Edo Period
== Directly controlled territory of the shogunate (Tenryo)
• It remained a directly controlled territory of the shogunate (under the rule of a local magistrate, etc.) throughout the Edo period.
• According to records such as the "Genroku Yakucho" and "Tenpo Kocho," the village's (rice) yield was approximately 350-360 koku.
== A scenic spot depicted in Ukiyo-e prints (Tateishi)
• The giant rock "Tateishi of Akiya," jutting out into the coast, was a famous landmark since ancient times.
• Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando Hiroshige), an Edo period Ukiyo-e artist, depicted the magnificent view of Mount Fuji beyond Tateishi in works such as "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" and "Akiya Village in Miura, Sagami Province." Traces of this can now be seen in Yokosuka City tourist information and at Akiya Tateishi Park.
== A village serving as a transportation hub and relay point on the west coast
• The "Nishi-Uraga Road (Western Misaki Road)," which runs along the west coast of the Miura Peninsula, lies in the village, and it was located along this road used by people and goods.
== Local shrines and temples
• The "Akiya Shinmei Shrine (Akiya Shrine)," said to have been founded at the end of the Kamakura period (Genkō 1, 1331), was cherished as the guardian shrine of the former Akiya village and continues to watch over the area to this day. Temples in the area included Myōonji Temple of the Nichiren sect and Shōgyōin Temple of the Jōdo sect.
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During the Edo period, Sajima in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was a quiet fishing village facing Koajiro Bay and Sagami Bay.
Its main characteristics at the time were as follows:
• Abundant fishing grounds: Coastal fishing for sardines, shrimp, and abalone flourished in the rich fishing grounds of Sagami Bay. The seafood caught was supplied to Edo's markets (sakanaba), taking advantage of its proximity to Edo.
• Scenic beauty: The coast of Sajima, including Tenjin Island, was known for its beautiful views of Mount Fuji and "Tateishi" (Akiya), and was a scenic area popular with travelers and literati, including the Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige.
• A village where agriculture and fishing coexisted: Like many villages on the Miura Peninsula, a simple, rural lifestyle was lived there, combining small amounts of farming (field crops) with fishing.
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The west coast of Yokosuka City, facing Sagami Bay (Akiya and Arasaki districts), is known for its natural shorelines, scenic fishing villages, and sweeping views of Mount Fuji.
Key Highlights
• Tateishi Park & Standing Rock (Tateishi): Features a 40-foot-tall rock formation with pine trees rising straight out of the water. This exact view was famously painted by the Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Ando Hiroshige. Low tide lets visitors walk right up to the rock.
• Arasaki Park: Offers a rugged coastline of dark rock formations, white mudstone cliffs, tidal caves, and a scenic walking path.
• Sunset & Mount Fuji Vistas: Because it faces west toward Sagami Bay, the coast is a prime spot for watching the sun set directly behind the silhouette of Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula.
• Natural vs. Urban Contrast: Unlike the heavily urbanized, industrial east side of Yokosuka facing Tokyo Bay (home to the naval port and US base), the west coast has a quiet, rural, and slow-paced character backed by Mount Ogusu.
• Proximity to Hayama: It borders the upscale coastal town of Hayama just to the north, giving the surrounding hills and roads a relaxed, resort-like atmosphere.
