Koka, Shiga

From PHOTOGUIDE.JP
Koka, Shiga (甲賀市; Kōka-shi)
Aburahi Aburahi Matsuri Yakko-furi. More Koka photos here.
Map of Shiga with Koka highlighted
Location Shiga Prefecture, Kinki region, Honshu island, JAPAN  
Population 91,068 (2,189 foreigners) (2014-06-01)
Area 481.69 km²
City Centers Minakuchi, Shigaraki 
Major Sights Minakuchi Castle, Ninja Village, Shigaraki Ceramic Park 
Major Gateways JR Kusatsu Line Kibukawa Station, Koka Station; Ohmi Railways Minakuchi Jonan Station; Shigaraki Kogen Railway Shigaraki Station 
Train Stations JR Kusatsu Line Kibukawa Station, Konan Station, Terasho Station, Koka Station, Aburahi Station; Ohmi Railways Minakuchi Matsuo Station, Minakuchi Station, Minakuchi Ishibashi Station, Minakuchi Jonan Station, Kibukawa Station; Shigaraki Kogen Railway Kibukawa Station, Shigarakigushi Station, Kumoi Station, Chikushi Station, Gyokukeiji-mae Station, Shigaraki Station 
Claim to Fame Home of ninja
Products
Neighbors Otsu, Ritto, Konan, Ryuo-cho, Hino-cho, HigashiOmi 
Old Name(s) Kouka-cho (Koka-cho), Kounan-cho (Konan-cho), Minakuchi-cho, Tsuchiyama-cho, Shigaraki-cho
Keywords Koga ninja, Tokaido shukuba
Historical Persons
Links Koka Articles | Koka Photos
Koka Tourist Information
Location City Hall
Phone 0748-65-0707 
Tourist Links Koka Info  
Int'l Association Web site Tel: 0748-63-8728  
Volunteer Guides Tel: Shigaraki 0748-82-8075, Minakuchi 0748-62-1621  
Koka City Hall 甲賀市役所
Address Koka City Hall, Minakuchi Branch, Minakuchi-cho, Minakuchi 6053, Koka, Shiga 528-8502 甲賀市水口町水口6053

Koka City Hall, Kounan Branch, Kounan-cho, Noda 810, Koka, Shiga 甲賀市甲南町野田810

Koka City Hall, Tsuchiyama Branch, Tsuchiyama-cho, Kita-Tsuchiyama 1715, Koka, Shiga 甲賀市土山町北土山1715

Koka City Hall, Koka Branch, Koka-cho, Sagami 173-1, Koka, Shiga 甲賀市甲賀町相模173-1

Koka City Hall, Shigaraki Branch, Shigaraki-cho, Nagano 1203, Koka, Shiga 甲賀市信楽町長野1203

Phone/Fax Minakuchi Branch: 0748-65-0650

Kounan Branch: 0748-86-4161

Tsuchiyama Branch: 0748-66-1101

Koka Branch: 0748-88-4101

Shigaraki Branch: 0748-82-1121 

Official Site Japanese |  
Symbols Flower:  Sasayuri lily (Lilium japonicum)
Tree:  Cryptomeria
Bird:  Common Kingfisher
Others:  Ninja
Logo:  Logoshigakoka.jpg
Sister Cities Traverse City, Michigan; Marshall, Michigan; Dewitt, Michigan; Icheon Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea

by Philbert Ono

Birthplace of the Ninja

Koka (甲賀市; -shi) is a landlocked city in southeastern Shiga Prefecture, on the border with Mie Prefecture.

Home of the Koga ninja (actually pronounced "Koka") and Shiga's second largest city in area, Koka was formed in Oct. 2004 with the merger of Koka, Minakuchi, Shigaraki, Tsuchiyama, and Konan towns. These former towns are distinct geographical, cultural, and historical areas each having its unique attractions.

Although it does not face Lake Biwa, the city is spread far and wide with diverse sights such as Shigaraki pottery, Ninja houses, Minakuchi Castle, major festivals, and Tokaido Road post towns Minakuchi-juku and Tsuchiyama-juku.

The JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways are the main ways to reach Koka.

Sights

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Shigaraki Koka Ninja House Minakuchi-juku and Castle
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Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri Koka Ninja Village Tsuchiyama-juku

  • Koga-ryu Ninjutsu House 甲賀流忍術屋敷 - Koka has a ninja house open to the public. This one is more authentic since it remains at its original location. Built in the 17th century and originally the house of Mochizuki Izumonokami, the leading ninja clan among the 53 Koga ninja clans. With a thatched roof, the house looks like any ordinary 17th century house on the outside, but inside it is equipped with trap doors, swinging walls, etc., to help the occupant elude any intruders. The house also exhibits ninja weapons and artifacts. And the gift shop sells ninja stuff. The house is 2 km from Konan Station on the Kusatsu Line. Open 9:00 - 17:00, closed Dec. 27-Jan. 1. Admission 600 yen for adults. Phone: 0748-86-2179 Address: 甲賀市甲南町竜法師2331 Web site Map
  • Koka Ninja Village 甲賀の里　忍術村 - Koka is known historically as a town of the Koga ninja, one of Japan's two ninja schools. As a tourist attraction (and theme park), the Ninja Village offers a good sampling of ninja history, technique, and demonstrations. See a ninja house with trap doors and other trickery and a ninja museum exhibiting the world's largest collection of old ninja clothing, throwing knives (shuriken), and ladders. There are facilities for you to try out ninja stuff as well. Throw shuriken at wooden targets, walk on water, and climb walls. Like a real ninja village, this ninja theme park is hidden away in a secret place, not visible from the road. If you don't have a car, take the Kusatsu Line to Koka Station and get out the North exit. Call 0748-88-5000 and ask for a free ride to the Ninja Village. It will take 15 min. (It's actually best to call them at least 15 min. before you arrive so they will be there when you arrive at the train station.) Open 10:00 (sometimes 9:00) - 17:00, usually closed on Mon. Admission 1,000 yen for adults. Web site Map
  • Minakuchi-juku and Minakuchi Castle 水口城 - Following Tsuchiyama-juku, Minakuchi-juku was the fiftieth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road. The most prominent remnant is Minakuchi Castle. A moat, stone walls, and a reconstructed turret are all that remains. The turret serves as the Minakuchi Castle Museum. Modeled after Nijo Castle in Kyoto, the original castle was built in 1634 as a rest place for shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu during his travels to and from Kyoto. But the shogun stayed at the castle only once. It later became the castle of the Minakuchi clan in 1682 headed by Lord Kato Akitomo. Open 10:00-16:00. Admission 100 yen. Short walk from Minakuchi Jonan Station on the Ohmi Railways Line. Phone: 0748-63-5577 The Honmaru (main keep) is now the sports ground for Minakuchi High School. Minakuchi-juku also has a few post town-related sites like Minakuchi Shrine and Daitokuji Temple. Map
  • Tsuchiyama-juku 土山宿 - Following Sakanoshita-juku in Mie, Tsuchiyama was the 49th post town on the old Tokaido Road connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. It is right after Suzuka Pass on the Suzuka mountains, one of the two most difficult sections of the Tokaido. Travelers thus were happy to see Tsuchiyama. Nicknamed "Ai no Tsuchiyama," the town is working hard to preserve its old buildings. A few remnants of the town remain such as the Tsuchiyama Honjin 旧土山本陣 which was the town's exclusive lodge for traveling warlords during 1634 to 1870. The former lodge still has the Jodan-no-Ma room where the daimyo stayed. Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and Emperor Meiji lodged here. (Admission 300 yen. Reservations required for visits. Call 0748‐66‐0007.) Also visit the Tsuchiyama Tokaido Museum 東海道伝馬館 showcasing the history of Tsuchiyama and the Tokaido Road. It's modeled after a wholesaler's shop. (Museum open 9:00 - 17:00, closed Mon. and Tue., free admission, Phone: 0748-66-2770). From JR Kibukawa Station, take the Aikuru Bus to Ohmi Tsuchiyama Station (20 minutes). Map
  • Miho Museum - Designed by I.M. Pei, this spectacular museum is quite out of the way in Shigaraki, but well worth a trip. Its collection includes ancient art from Egypt and China. Opened in 1997, the museum is operated by a religious organization called Shinji-shumeikai headquartered in Shigaraki. Admission 1,000 yen for adults. Open 10:00-17:00, closed Mon. and winter months. Take the Teisan Miho Museum bus from JR Ishiyama Station in Otsu, taking 50 min. From Shigaraki Station, 20 min. by car/taxi. Phone: 0748-82-3411 English Web site Map
  • Rakuyaji temple 櫟野寺 - In the Koka-cho area, Rakuyaji temple's main Hondo hall has Japan's largest statue of a seated Kannon Buddha with 11 faces. 500 yen admission fee to enter the main Hondo hall (open 9:00 am - 5 pm, till 4 pm in winter). 日本最大坐仏十一面観音菩薩 Map
  • Kusuri Gakushukan Medicine Museum くすり学習館 - New museum showing the history and culture of medicine making in the Koka area which was rich with medicinal herbs. Hours: 9:30 am - 5 pm, closed Mon. (open if a national holiday and closed on Tue. instead). Across from Kafuka Yume no Mori park. 20-min. walk from Koka Station. Phone: 0748-88-8110 Map

Event Calendar

  • Last Sun. in March - Tsuchiyama Saio Gunko Procession あいの土山斎王群行 is a reenactment of the Saio Princess procession in Tsuchiyama, from Ono Elementary School to Tarumi Tongu. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries. For about 660 years, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. A new Saio princess was appointed each time there was a new emperor. She traveled from Kyoto to her Saiku palace near Ise Grand Shrine. The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Shiga Prefecture including Tsuchiyama. The procession has the Saio princess and ladies in elegant Heian Period costumes. The festival is from 11:30 am to 4 pm. Map
  • April 19-20 - Minakuchi Hikiyama Festival 水口曳山祭 has a few ornate Hikiyama floats pulled through town. On the first day, the floats are lit up with paper lanterns from 7 pm in their respective neighborhoods while Minakuchi-bayashi festival music is played. On the 20th, at 9 am, the floats are paraded through the streets as they head toward Minakuchi Jinja Shrine (near Minakuchi Jonan Station). Portable shrines also make their way to the shrine. During midday, ceremonies are held at the shrine. At 2 pm, a procession of Chigo children and portable shrines leave the shrine. At 7 pm, the Hikiyama floats leave the shrine. Map
  • May 3 - Kenketo Odori Dance ケンケトおどり - Held at Takigi Shrine 瀧樹神社 in Tsuchiyama from about 1:30 pm. This is a dance performed by eight boys age 7 to 12 at the shrine to ward off natural disasters. They wear a distinctive costume including tall peacock feathers on their heads. The dance is designated as a National Intangible Folk Cultural Property. From Kibukawa Station's North Exit on the JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways, ride the Aikuru Bus for about 30 min. and get off at Higashi Maeno 東前野. Walk for 5 min. toward the river. Buses leave once an hour. Bus schedule here. Map
  • Fourth Sat. in July nearest the 23rd - Shigaraki Fire Festival 信楽火まつり - Held annually on the fourth Sat. of July closest to July 23. It is a torch procession of 700 people (including children) who carry wooden torches on their shoulders from Shingu Shrine (新宮神社) to Atago Shrine on a hill and ending at the parking lot of the Shimin Center. The festival starts at 7 pm and the route is about 2.4 km long, taking about 50-60 min. From 9 pm, they shoot fireworks. The festival is held to give thanks to fire (for use in pottery kilns, industry, everyday life, etc.) and to pray for fire safety. Shingu Shrine and the Shimin Center is near Shigaraki Station.
  • Day before Sports Day on Oct. 10 - All-Japan Ninja Competition, Ninja Village

Travel Tips

  • Kibukawa Station is Koka's hub for train transportation. Although there are no sights around Kibukawa Station, it is where you can catch the Ohmi Railways to Minakuchi, Shiga Kogen Railways to Shigaraki Ceramic Park, or go further to Koka Station to see the Ninja Village. Local buses also stop at this station.
  • If you are traveling from northern Shiga or coming from Tokyo and want to visit Shigaraki or Koka Ninja Village, it is faster to take the Biwako Line to Kusatsu Station and transfer to the Kusatsu Line rather than riding the Ohmi Railways. If you want to visit Minakuchi, you could take the Ohmi Railways from Maibara Station.
  • On Sat., Sun., and national holidays, the Ohmi Railways "1 Day Smile ticket" is available for only 880 yen and you can use it to ride the Ohmi Railways all day. A good deal if you plan to ride the Ohmi Railways train at least twice.

Getting There

Official mascot
Shigaraki's official mascot

By Train

The JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways are the main ways to reach Koka. Catch the Kusatsu Line at JR Kusatsu Station on the JR Tokaido Main Line (or Biwako Line). Or board the Ohmi Railways at Maibara Station, Hikone Station, or Yokaichi Station. A third railway, Shigaraki Kogen Railway, provides access to Shigaraki from Kibukawa Station. (Note: The Shigaraki Kogen Railway has been out of service since Sept. 2013 when a strong typhoon damaged a rail bridge and other railway locations.)

Train Lines & Stations

Travel Time

By Bus

Nearest Airports

Getting Around

Koka's large area is served by three train lines and a local shuttle bus. The major sights and facilties along the train lines are as follows:

JR Kusatsu Line

Ohmi Railways

Shigaraki Kogen Railway

(信楽高原鉄道) This short train line operates entirely within Koka city. The main destination is the Shigaraki Ceramic Park. It takes about 22 min. from Kibukawa Station to Shigaraki Station.

Koka Community Bus

Local community buses run in five areas, each one has a different name. They usually serve major train stations within Koka. However, most buses are infrequent, once an hour or less. A day pass for 500 yen is also offered. Bus routes and schedules in Japanese. Web site

  • Heart Bus はーとバス - Runs within Minakuchi area.
  • Hello Bus ハローバス - Runs within Kounan and Koka areas.
  • Hello Line ハローライン - Runs within Kounan area.
  • Aikuru Bus あいくるバス - Runs within Tsuchiyama, running from Kibukawa Station. Takes 20-30 min. from Kibukawa Station to central Tsuchiyama. Bus schedule for 2008 here.
  • Shigaraki Kogen Bus 信楽高原バス - Runs within Shigaraki.

Rental Bicycles

Rental bicycles are available at or near the following train stations: Koka Station, Aburahi Station, and Shigaraki Station.

Maps

Click on upper right icon to enlarge.

Photos

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Tsuchiyama Saio Gunko Procession Shigaraki Fire Festival
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JR Koka Station Minakuchi Hikiyama Matsuri

More photos at Koka Photos.

Videos

Click on the video image to start playing the video. More Shiga videos here.

History

  • 2004
    • Oct.: City founded upon the merger of Koka-cho, Minakuchi-cho, Shigaraki-cho, Tsuchiyama-cho, and Konan-cho towns.
  • 2008
    • Feb. 23: A 50-km section between Kameyama (Mie Pref.) and Otsu (Kusatsu Tanakami Interchange 草津田上インターチェンジ) of the New Meishin Expressway 新名神高速道路 opens to traffic. A ceremony was held at the Koka-Tsuchiyama Interchange with the Governors of Shiga and Mie in attendance. Passing though Koka and Otsu, the new expressway is expected to lessen traffic on the old Meishin Expressway between Nagoya and Kobe, shorten the driving time to the Kansai area, and bring more visitors to Koka.
    • Mar. 29: Japan's first Ninja Certification Exam (Ninja Kentei 忍者検定) is held in Konan-cho, Koka, the ancestral home of the Koga (Koka) ninja and home to Japan's sole remaining original Ninja house. It is a beginner-level written exam with 50 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, 30 questions must be answered correctly within 30 min. The questions cover Koga ninja history, ninjutsu techniques, weapons, tools, famous ninja, and ninja in pop culture such as manga and anime. The certification does not include any physical exam of ninja techniques (throwing shuriken star knives, etc.). The exam is held by the Konan-cho Tourist Association to attract ninja fans to Koka. Some 100 ninja fans from all over Japan came to Koka to take the exam. It cost 500 yen to take the exam open to 5th grade students and older people. The top six scorers were awarded with a helicopter ride over Koka after the exam. All the exam takers were treated to a ninja stew for lunch. The exam will be held annually.

Additional Reading

More Koka news here.

Miscellaneous


Trivia

  • Koka was home to one of Japan's two ninja schools. Ironically, Koga ninjutsu is no longer practiced in Koka. It is not considered as a martial art like karate or judo. The other is in Iga-Ueno in neighboring Mie Prefecture.
  • By 2008, about 2.8 million tourists visit Koka annually. About half of them visit Shigaraki, the city's most popular tourist destination. During Jan.-June 2008, 750,000 tourists visited Shigaraki, followed by 330,000 visiting Tsuchiyama. The least visited area was Konan-cho, ancestral home of the Koka ninja. Only 80,000 bothered to drop by.
  • An area and train station in Koka known as Kounan 甲南 (also spelled Konan) is easily confused with Koka's neighboring city of Konan 湖南.

Famous People

Lastname firstname
Description

Side Trips

Other sights in neighboring cities/towns within easy reach from Koka.

  • Iga, Mie Pref. - Tsuge Station is just one train stop away on the Kusatsu Line.
  • Kusatsu - Stage town and lotus flowers in July.

Related Articles

External Links

Municipalities of Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県
Cities & Towns: Aisho-cho | Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Hino-cho | Koka | Konan | Kora-cho | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takashima | Toyosato-cho | Yasu
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