Akashi (written: 明石) is a Japanese surname. Notable people with the surname include:

• Kaijin Akashi (明石 海人, 1901–1939), Japanese poet
• Akashi Kakuichi (明石 覚一, 1299–1371), Japanese Buddhist monk
• Ken Akashi (明石 顕, born 1976), Japanese race walker
• Kenji Akashi (明石 健志, born 1986) Japanese baseball player
• Masao Akashi (明石 昌夫, born 1957), Japanese musical arranger
• Momoka Akashi (明石 百夏, born 1981), Japanese musician
• Akashi Morishige (明石 全登, 1566–1618?), Japanese samurai
• Akashi Motojiro (明石 元二郎, 1864–1919), Japanese general and Governor General of Taiwan
• Akashi Shiganosuke (明石 志賀之助, c. 1600–c. 1649), Japanese sumo wrestler
• Yasushi Akashi (明石 康, born 1931), Japanese 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