Living in Koga

A city at the western edge of Ibaraki, an Edo-period castle town and a post town on the Nikko Kaido, with many temples and shrines remaining. Bordering Saitama and Tochigi, it has a direct line toward Tokyo that is rare in Ibaraki, but even with through service, the physical distance means over an hour. It is also known for the Koga Fireworks Festival, where a shakudama shell 90 cm in diameter is launched.

Koga is the only place in Ibaraki Prefecture that the JR Utsunomiya Line passes through, a neighborhood at the western edge of Ibaraki bordering Saitama and Tochigi. As a castle and post town it is called the "Little Kyoto of Ibaraki," and it is famous for the Peach Festival and the fireworks festival. It takes about 70 minutes to Tokyo Station, so life is inconvenient without a car. It suits commuting office workers and families who want cheap housing prices.