It is located on an alluvial fan of the Inukami River in central Shiga Prefecture in the Ōmi Basin, near the foothills of the Suzuka Mountains.

Shiga Prefecture Kōra has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

The area of Kōra was part of ancient Ōmi Province and archaeological excavations have found the traces of settlements dating to at least the Kofun period.

The noted warlord Todo Takatora was born in what is now part of Kōra town and master carpenters who built Nikkō Tōshō-gū came from this area.

In terms of national politics, the town is part of Shiga 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.