Akishima City is located almost in the center of Tokyo and borders four other cities within the metropolitan area. It flourished as a castle town during the Sengoku period and as a post town on the Nikko Kaido road during the Edo period. The Tama River flows to the south of the city, and the city is blessed with abundant nature. The Tama River is also known for the excavations of whale fossils and fossilized footprints of the Akebono elephant. Showa Park has a baseball field, tennis courts, a small zoo, and is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Showa Memorial Park is home to seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms and cosmos, and also has a pool and exhibition facilities. While it is lined with major companies and large commercial facilities, agriculture is also carried out, with spinach, carrots, and komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) being grown.