Welcome to Koka!

Our city is the second largest municipality in Shiga Prefecture, encompassing an area of 481 square kilometers. We were once considered a possible location for the imperial capital before Nara was finally chosen, and during the Warring States period we were the birthplace of ninjutsu, the art of the ninja. Home to two of the 53 rest stations on the Tokaido Road (the old road linking Tokyo and Kyoto), Koka developed a unique culture of thoroughfare that strengthened interpersonal relations, promoted a tradition of interaction and warmly welcomed travelers with heartfelt hospitality. Today this spirit is still very much alive among our citizens.

Koka has long been home to a harmony of lush nature, a history that has often thrust us into the national spotlight and our tea and ceramic industries, both of which have nationally sold brands. With the opening of the Shin Meishin Expressway, today our city serves as a new transportation hub that connects Kansai to Chubu and Ise to Hokuriku. We are creating new manufacturing and distribution industries and are aiming to once again make a great leap forward.

Drawing on the resources that we have inherited from the past, we are developing numerous policies to ensure that Koka will be one of Japan’s truly distinguished cities. The essence of our development is to ensure that each and every person living in our city has confidence and pride in the fact that they are citizens of Koka, and we believe that it is important that all of us realize this with warmth in our hearts. To this end, all of our efforts are based on the keyword, “togetherness.”

Takeshi Nakajima

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