Moka, Industrial city in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Moka is a city in Tochigi Prefecture that spreads across an area with residential neighborhoods, farmland, and smaller districts. The downtown area offers shops and services, while the surrounding landscape is marked by fields and gentle hills.
During the 17th century the area was under direct control of the Tokugawa government and later reshaped through systematic land reforms. The development of railway lines in the 19th century connected the rural region with larger cities and encouraged local trade.
The name Moka comes from the word for highland area, and many residents still work in agriculture on the gentle hills around the city. Traditional festivals connect the rural neighborhoods with the downtown area, where modern shops stand beside family businesses that have operated for generations.
The railway connections require a change at Oyama and then at Shimodate, which makes the journey longer than to other cities in the prefecture. Visitor centers in the downtown area provide information about local sites and current events.
On weekends a historic steam locomotive runs on the local railway line, and one station is designed to look like an oversized locomotive. The attached museum lets visitors examine the mechanics of steam engines and old rolling stock up close.
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