Kōka, Shiga
Kōka (甲賀市, Kōka-shi) is a city located in southern Shiga Prefecture, Japan. (The word 'Kōka' is often rendered as 'Koga' in English, especially when referring to the Koga Ninja.)
Kōka 甲賀市 | |
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Kōka City Hall | |
Flag Emblem | |
Location of Kōka in Shiga | |
Kōka Location in Japan | |
Coordinates: 34°58′N 136°10′E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Kansai |
Prefecture | Shiga |
Government | |
• Mayor | Hiroki Iwanaga |
Area | |
• Total | 481.62 km2 (185.95 sq mi) |
Population (June 1, 2019) | |
• Total | 89,202 |
• Density | 190/km2 (480/sq mi) |
Symbols | |
• Tree | Cryptomeria |
• Flower | Sasayuri (Lilium japonicum) |
• Bird | Common kingfisher |
Time zone | UTC+9 (JST) |
City hall address | 6053, Minakuchi, Minakuchichō, Kōka-shi, Shiga-ken 528-8502 |
Website | www |
As of June 2019, the city has an estimated population of 89,202 and a population density of 185 persons per km2. The total area is 481.62 km2.
The modern city of Kōka was established on October 1, 2004, from the merger of the former town of Kōka, absorbing the towns of Kōnan, Minakuchi, Shigaraki and Tsuchiyama (all from Kōka District).
Kōka is quite well known for its ninja history,[1] fine quality ceramics (Shigaraki ware) and for containing two shukuba post stations (Tsuchiyama-juku and Minakuchi-juku) from the historic Tōkaidō. The city launched a new English version of their homepage in April 2007, and they have begun to actively promote themselves as a little-known, yet highly authentic, sightseeing destination.
Geography
Transport
Koka is served by local buses as well as two train lines.
Rail
Koka sits on the Kusatsu Line of the JR. The line runs from Kusatsu to Tsuge Station in Iga, Mie Prefecture. There are five stops in Koka - Kibukawa, Kōnan, Terashō, Kōka, and Aburahi.
Kibukawa Station also has lines for the Shigaraki Kōgen Railway: Shigaraki Line and the Ohmi Railway: Main Line.
See also
- Kōga-ryū, the Koga Ninja school of ninjutsu
- Miho Museum
- Minakuchi Castle
- Shigaraki ware
References
- Ancient Warfare : Shinobi Ninjas and Kung Fu Shaolin Monks FULL DOCUMENTARIES. 20 April 2015 – via YouTube.
External links
Media related to Kōka, Shiga at Wikimedia Commons Koka travel guide from Wikivoyage - Kōka City official website (in Japanese)
- Kōka City official website (in English)
- Mapple Koka city -Secrets to Enjoying Kōka- Guide map of Kōka city