Koga, Ibaraki

Koga
古河市
City
Koga city hall

Flag
Seal

Location of Koga in Ibaraki Prefecture
Koga
 
Coordinates: 36°10′41.7″N 139°45′19.6″E / 36.178250°N 139.755444°E / 36.178250; 139.755444Coordinates: 36°10′41.7″N 139°45′19.6″E / 36.178250°N 139.755444°E / 36.178250; 139.755444
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Ibaraki Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Kenichiro Sugaya (since December 2012)
Area
 • Total 123.58 km2 (47.71 sq mi)
Population (September 2015)
 • Total 140,770
 • Density 1,140/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree Zelkova serrata
- Flower Prunus persica
Phone number 0280-92-3111
Address 2248 Shimoōno, Koga-shi, Ibaraki-ken 306-0291
Website http://www.city.ibaraki-koga.lg.jp/

Koga (古河市, Koga-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the city had an estimated population of 140,770, and a population density of 1140 persons per km2. Its total area is 123.58 square kilometres (47.71 sq mi).

Geography

Koga is located in the extreme southwestern corner of Ibaraki Prefecture

Surrounding municipalities

History

Koga developed in the Muromachi period as the Koga kubō, a secondary government created by the Ashikaga shogunate to rule eastern Japan. However, the site has been inhabited since the Jōmon period and was one of the largest centers for iron production in eastern Japan in the Heian period. In the Sengoku period, it developed into a castle town and became the seat of the daimyō of Koga Domain under the Edo period Tokugawa shogunate. The town of Koga was established on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the municipalities system. The modern city was founded on August 1, 1950. On September 12, 2005, Koga absorbed the towns of Sanwa and Sōwa (both from Sashima District) to create the new and expanded city of Koga. The new city hall is now located at the former town of Sōwa.

Economy

Koga was known in the Meiji period through early Shōwa period as a center for sericulture. At present, the economy is highly industrialized, with the number of factories as second within Ibaraki Prefecture, after Hitachi city.

Education

Koga has 23 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and six high schools.

Transportation

Railway

Highway

Sister city relations

Local attractions

  • site of Koga Castle
  • site of Koga Kubo residence
  • Suzume-jinja
  • Hase Kannon temple
  • Koga History Museum
  • Sogo Koen Park, near the Watarase River, was formally a summer palace for a local daimyo. It has two restored 17th century farmhouses, like including the Nakayama house and Takami Senseki house/museum.
  • Navel Park in Sowa-machi has outdoor and barbecue facilities for families.
  • Koga west of the station is old and has many old buildings. Many of the streets are cobbled.
  • Tenkoku Art Museum.

Notable people

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