Akashi (written: 明石) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:
- Kaijin Akashi (1901–1939), poet
- Ken Akashi (born 1976), race walker
- Momoka Akashi, musician
- Akashi Morishige (1566–1618?), samurai
- Akashi Motojiro (1864 – 26 October 1919), general and Governor General of Japan
- Akashi Shiganosuke (c. 1600 – c. 1649), sumo wrestler
- Yasushi Akashi (born 1931), diplomat
Fictional characters:
- Akashi Kaoru, character in Psychic Squad
- Akashi, character in the film Ra.One
- Akashi Seijūrō, character in Kuroko's Basketball
- Akashi Yuuna, character in Negima! Magister Negi Magi
- Akaashi Keiji, character in Haikyu!!
- Akashi Takeomi, character in Tokyo Revengers