Koga, Ibaraki

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**Koga**
**古河市**
Koga's location in Ibaraki, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kantō
Prefecture	Ibaraki
Physical characteristics
Area	123.58 km² (47.71 sq mi)
Population (as of January 2008)
Total	144,392
Density	1,170 /km² (3,030 /sq mi)
Location	36°11′N, 139°42′E
Symbols
Flag
Koga Government Office
Mayor	Nakahisa Hakuto
Address	〒306-0291 2248 Shimoōno, Koga-shi, Ibaraki-ken
Phone number	0280-92-3111
Official website: Koga City

Koga (古河市, Koga-shi^?) is a city located in Ibaraki, Japan.

[edit] Old City of Koga

The city has its origins in the Tokugawa period when a castle was built in the 1500's at the river crossing point and a town sprang up around it. The modern city was founded on August 1, 1950. It has many old shrines dedicated to O-inari and some old temples. Sogo koen park near the Watarase river is a lovely place for all the family and was formally a summer palace for a local shogun. Navel Park in Sowa machi has outdoor and barbecue facilities for families. Koga west of the station is old and has many old buildings. But east of the station is new and has many residential and shopping areas. Koga is famous for its cabbage known as kabutsu.

On September 12, 2005, the city merged with Sanwa and Sōwa to create the new city of Koga.