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.)
As of April 2008, the city has an estimated population of 93,882 and a population density of 195 persons per km2. The total area is 481.69 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[citation needed], fine quality ceramics 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.
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
External links
Media related to Kōka, Shiga at Wikimedia Commons
Koka travel guide from Wikivoyage- Kōka City official website Template:Ja icon
- Kōka City official website Template:En icon
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