Kōka(Giáp hạ thị,Kōka-shi)is acityin southernShiga Prefecture,Japan. As of 30 September 2021[update],the city had an estimatedpopulationof 89,619 in 36708 households and apopulation densityof 190 persons per km².[1]The total area of the city is 481.62 square kilometres (185.95 sq mi).
Kōka
Giáp hạ thị | |
|---|---|
 Kōka City Hall | |
 Flag  Emblem | |
 Location of Kōka in Shiga Prefecture | |
  Kōka Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates:34°58′N136°10′E/ 34.967°N 136.167°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kansai |
| Prefecture | Shiga |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Hiroki Iwanaga |
| Area | |
• Total | 481.62 km2(185.95 sq mi) |
| Population (September 30, 2021) | |
• Total | 89,619 |
| • Density | 190/km2(480/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00(JST) |
| City hall address | 6053, Minakuchi, Minakuchichō, Kōka-shi, Shiga-ken 528-8502 |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | Common kingfisher |
| Flower | Sasayuri(Liliumjaponicum) |
| Tree | Cryptomeria |
Geography
editKōka occupies the entire southern end of Shiga Prefecture, and is thus long east-to-west. At the eastern end of Kōka, the southern ridge of theSuzuka Mountainswith one elevation of 1000 meters runs from northeast to southwest, forming the boundary with Mie Prefecture. The highest altitude point in Kōka is Mount Amagoi in this range.
Neighboring municipalities
editKyoto Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture
Climate
editKōka has aHumid subtropical climate(KöppenCfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kōka is 13.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1673 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.1 °C.[2]
| Climate data for Shigaraki ( elevation 265 m ) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.5 (43.7) |
7.1 (44.8) |
11.0 (51.8) |
17.3 (63.1) |
21.8 (71.2) |
25.0 (77.0) |
28.8 (83.8) |
30.0 (86.0) |
26.0 (78.8) |
20.3 (68.5) |
14.9 (58.8) |
9.5 (49.1) |
18.2 (64.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −3.5 (25.7) |
−3.4 (25.9) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.4 (38.1) |
9.1 (48.4) |
14.6 (58.3) |
19.1 (66.4) |
19.6 (67.3) |
15.9 (60.6) |
8.5 (47.3) |
2.4 (36.3) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
6.9 (44.4) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 55.2 (2.17) |
70.7 (2.78) |
121.3 (4.78) |
111.5 (4.39) |
152.4 (6.00) |
207.6 (8.17) |
204.4 (8.05) |
143.7 (5.66) |
168.4 (6.63) |
120.1 (4.73) |
75.2 (2.96) |
53.6 (2.11) |
1,484.1 (58.43) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 9.1 | 10.1 | 13.1 | 10.9 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 12.8 | 9.3 | 11.4 | 9.8 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 127.2 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 101.2 | 100.9 | 133.6 | 166.3 | 164.5 | 127.6 | 136.5 | 173.8 | 135.4 | 136.6 | 122.1 | 115.9 | 1,614.4 |
| Source:Japan Meteorological Agency | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Tsuchiyama (elevation 248 m ) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.3 (43.3) |
6.8 (44.2) |
10.7 (51.3) |
16.9 (62.4) |
21.2 (70.2) |
24.6 (76.3) |
28.5 (83.3) |
29.8 (85.6) |
25.9 (78.6) |
20.3 (68.5) |
14.8 (58.6) |
9.3 (48.7) |
17.9 (64.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.9 (28.6) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
0.6 (33.1) |
5.6 (42.1) |
10.9 (51.6) |
15.9 (60.6) |
20.3 (68.5) |
21.3 (70.3) |
17.5 (63.5) |
10.6 (51.1) |
4.5 (40.1) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
8.6 (47.5) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 60.0 (2.36) |
74.4 (2.93) |
113.8 (4.48) |
114.9 (4.52) |
159.0 (6.26) |
205.4 (8.09) |
212.1 (8.35) |
193.5 (7.62) |
208.8 (8.22) |
124.4 (4.90) |
80.6 (3.17) |
56.7 (2.23) |
1,603.6 (63.13) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 10.6 | 10.9 | 12.6 | 11.0 | 11.6 | 13.6 | 13.7 | 10.4 | 11.8 | 10.0 | 8.4 | 9.4 | 134 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 90.9 | 98.2 | 137.0 | 167.1 | 165.8 | 128.3 | 139.4 | 177.2 | 132.7 | 140.2 | 125.0 | 108.9 | 1,610.7 |
| Source:Japan Meteorological Agency | |||||||||||||
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data,[3]the population of Kōka has recently plateaued after several decades of growth.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 59,455 | — |
| 1930 | 60,876 | +2.4% |
| 1940 | 61,133 | +0.4% |
| 1950 | 75,407 | +23.3% |
| 1960 | 70,755 | −6.2% |
| 1970 | 67,762 | −4.2% |
| 1980 | 75,203 | +11.0% |
| 1990 | 82,668 | +9.9% |
| 2000 | 92,482 | +11.9% |
| 2010 | 92,704 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 88,358 | −4.7% |
History
editKōka is part of ancientŌmi Province.During theSengoku period,the area was anikkiand effectivelyself-governedby localninjafamilies. In theEdo periodit became a center for theKōga-ryūschool ofninjutsu,in rivalry withIga-ryū.[4]The area was on the route of theTōkaidōhighway connectingKyotowithEdoand the eastern provinces of Japan.Minakuchi-jukuwas both apost stationand also acastle townforMinakuchi Domain,which ruled over parts of the area of Kōka during theEdo period.The village of Minakuchi was established on April 1, 1889 withinKōka District, Shigawith the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to town status on August 18, 1894. On October 1, 2004, Minakuchi merged with the towns ofKōka,Kōnan,ShigarakiandTsuchiyama(all from Kōka District) to form the city of Kōka.
Government
editKōka has amayor-councilform of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameralcity council of 24 members. Kōka contributes three members to the Shiga Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Shiga 4th district of thelower houseof theDiet of Japan.
Economy
editKōka is traditionally known for its production of ceramics, most notablyShigaraki ware,as well as agriculture and forestry. Light manufacturing is concentrated to pharmaceuticals.
Education
editKōka has 21 public elementary schools and six public middle schools operated by the city government and one middle school operated by the Shiga Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates four public high schools.
Transport
edit
Railway
edit
Shigaraki Kōgen Railway- Shigaraki Line
Highway
edit
Sister cities
edit
DeWitt, Michigan,United States, renewed 2005- Marshall, Michigan,United States, renewed 2005
- Traverse City, Michigan,United States, since 1969; renewed 2005
Local attractions
edit- Miho Museum
- Minakuchi Castle
- Minakuchi-juku
- Minakuchi Okayama Castleruins
- site ofShigaraki Palace,National Historic Site
- Tarumi Saiō Tongū Site,National Historic Site
- Tsuchiyama-juku
Noted people
edit- Kaoruko Himeno,author
- Mineichi Iwanaga,politician
References
edit- ^"Kōka city official statistics"(in Japanese). Japan.
- ^Kōka climate data
- ^Kōka population statistics
- ^Ancient Warfare: Shinobi Ninjas and Kung Fu Shaolin Monks FULL DOCUMENTARIES.April 20, 2015 – via YouTube.
External links
edit
Media related toKōka, Shigaat Wikimedia Commons
Kokatravel 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
