Akō (赤穂市, Akō-shi) is a city located in southwestern Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

The central part of the city around the castle has been built on the alluvial plain of Chikusa River.

[2] Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Akō has remained relatively constant over the past 40 years.

Akō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo 12th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Other industries are light manufacturing, commercial fishing, agriculture and tourism thanks to the story of the forty-seven rōnin, as featured in the Chūshingura.