Kashima City is located in the southern part of Saga Prefecture. Formerly part of Fujitsu District, the city faces the Ariake Sea to the east and borders Nagasaki Prefecture to the southwest. The Tara Mountain Range extends across its southern area, and several rivers flow from the mountains toward the surrounding plains.
Rich in both history and natural beauty, Kashima is home to numerous historical landmarks, temples, shrines, traditional streets, and scenic coastal areas. It should not be confused with Kashima City in Ibaraki Prefecture, which has a different Japanese spelling.
Kashima has a wide range of attractions where visitors can explore historic buildings, religious heritage, traditional streets, and natural landscapes.
Counted among Japan’s Three Great Inari Shrines, Yūtoku Inari Shrine is one of Kashima’s most celebrated attractions. It is worshipped as a deity associated with prosperous business and the safety and well-being of the family, and attracts many visitors throughout the year. The shrine grounds are particularly beautiful in spring, when cherry blossoms bloom, and in autumn, when the leaves change color.
Monzen Shopping Street stretches along the approach to Yūtoku Inari Shrine. It is lined with souvenir shops and stores selling local specialties, and is lively with worshippers and visitors. It is a pleasant place to stop after visiting the shrine and discover local products and regional food.
Located on the former site of Kashima Castle, Asahigaoka Park is a beautiful historic park selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Historical Parks. It is especially well known for its cherry blossoms. In spring, the trees come into full bloom and attract many people who come to enjoy hanami, the traditional custom of viewing cherry blossoms.
The Former Norita Family Residence is the remains of a samurai residence featuring the distinctive kudo-zukuri architectural style. This historically valuable building offers a glimpse into the lives of samurai who once lived in the area.
Parts of Kashima were once residential areas for samurai. Buildings from that period have been preserved in the district known as Samurai Residence Street. Visitors can stroll through the area and experience an atmosphere that recalls the town’s feudal past.
Rengōin Temple preserves important Buddhist statues, including two wooden seated statues of Amida Nyorai and a wooden seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai. These statues are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan, making the temple a site of considerable historical and religious significance.
Taichiji Temple houses Buddhist works designated as important cultural properties by the city, including a wooden portrait statue of a Zen master and sixteen wooden statues of arhats. These works represent an important part of Kashima’s religious and cultural heritage.
Tanjo-in is an important head temple of the Shingon-shū Chisan-ha tradition of Shingon Buddhism. Visitors can experience an aspect of the Buddhist culture that has developed and been preserved in the region.
Matsuoka Shrine is worshipped as a local guardian shrine and remains familiar to residents. Natural surroundings near the shrine also make the area suitable for a quiet walk.
Fumyōji Temple is the family temple of the Nabeshima clan, which ruled the former Kashima Domain. It is an important place for understanding the city’s history. Historic buildings and a beautiful garden can be found within its grounds.
The Textile Museum introduces Kashima’s textile culture through displays of traditional techniques and products. Visitors can learn about the area’s craft heritage and see examples of locally produced textiles.
Garyūgaoka Park is a relaxing green space where visitors can enjoy the natural scenery. Its appearance changes with the seasons, and it attracts many visitors during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
Hizen Hama-shuku is a group of historic streets designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The old townscape retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely walk through an area rich in history.
Shingome Coast lies along the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea. It is a place to observe the natural environment of the tidal flats and enjoy views of the sea. The area was registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland in 2015 and is an important protected natural environment.
Michi-no-Eki Kashima is a roadside station where visitors can purchase local products and specialties. It offers fresh agricultural produce and other goods from the area, making it a convenient stop when exploring the city.
Various festivals and events take place in Kashima throughout the year, attracting local residents and visitors. These occasions provide opportunities to experience the city’s traditions and community culture.
The Cherry Blossom Festival is held at Asahigaoka Park every year from late March to early April. Events take place beneath the trees when the blossoms are in full bloom, making the festival a familiar sign of spring for local residents and visitors.
Held from late May to early June, the Kashima Gatalympics is a unique sporting event staged on the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea. Participants come from across Japan to compete in events that leave them covered in mud. The unusual competitions are entertaining for spectators as well as participants.
The Kashima Summer Fireworks Festival is held every year on July 14. Fireworks light up the summer night sky, and the event draws local residents and visitors. It is one of the city’s familiar summer traditions.
Kashima is home to a variety of traditional crafts and local food products. Some of its best-known specialties reflect the city’s location beside the Ariake Sea and its long-standing craft traditions.
Saga Nishiki originated from a textile known as Kashima Nishiki, which was traditionally produced in the former Hizen-Kashima Domain. This richly decorated woven fabric is highly regarded both in Japan and overseas. Its designs often draw inspiration from flowers, birds, the moon, and other elements of nature, expressing a distinctive traditional beauty.
Located beside the Ariake Sea, Kashima is an important area for nori seaweed cultivation. Nori produced in the city is known for its rich flavor and high quality and is appreciated throughout Japan.
The mild climate around Kashima is well suited to mandarin cultivation. The locally grown fruit is sweet and juicy and is a popular souvenir for visitors.
Inari yōkan is a traditional sweet associated with Yūtoku Inari Shrine. It has a gentle sweetness and is popular as a souvenir. Visitors stopping at the shrine may wish to try this local confection.
Other traditional products from Kashima include Nogomi dolls, Asaura Jinpachi hats, and masks used in the local 浮立 (Furyū) performing arts. These crafts preserve skills passed down by local artisans and offer visitors another way to discover the area’s history and culture.
Kashima is located approximately 60 km southwest of Saga City. Its central urban area spreads across the plains in the northern part of the city. The municipal area includes mountains, flatlands, and coastal landscapes, offering a varied setting for sightseeing and nature exploration.
Kashima has a long history, but its modern municipal development accelerated during the Meiji period. On April 1, 1889, when the modern municipal system was introduced, six villages were established in Fujitsu District: Minami-Kashima, Kita-Kashima, Hachihongi, Kogaeda, Nogomi, and Nanaura.
On December 1, 1912, Minami-Kashima Village changed its name to Kashima Town and became a municipality. On the same day, Kita-Kashima Village was renamed Kashima Village. Hachihongi Village later changed its name to Hama Town and adopted town status in 1918.
In 1954, Kashima Town, Nogomi Village, Kogaeda Village, Hama Town, and Kashima Village merged to form Kashima City. In 1955, part of Nanaura Village was also incorporated into the city. These mergers established the present municipal area.
Since March 30, 2013, Kashimaru has served as the official mascot character of Kashima City. The character takes part in local events and tourism promotion activities and helps introduce the city to people throughout Japan.
Saga Airport is the nearest airport. The JR Kyushu Nagasaki Main Line runs through the city, with Hizen-Kashima Station serving as its central railway station. Yūtoku Bus operates local routes, providing connections with neighboring municipalities.
Four stations on the JR Kyushu Nagasaki Main Line are located in Kashima City: Hizen-Kashima Station, Hizen-Hama Station, Hizen-Nanaura Station, and Hizen-Iida Station. Hizen-Kashima Station is an important transportation hub and is served by the limited express Kamome—identified in the source as the limited express “Kasasagi.”
Yūtoku Bus operates routes covering the city and provides connections to neighboring areas, including Shiroishi Town, Ureshino City, and Tara Town.
Kashima has a diverse economy with activities spanning the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries. According to the 2005 Population Census, 17.7% of the working population was engaged in the primary sector, 26.1% in the secondary sector, and 56.6% in the tertiary sector.
Important local products include nori seaweed cultivated in the Ariake Sea and Satsuma mandarins grown in the area’s mild climate. Local companies such as Yūtoku Pharmaceutical Industries and Yūtoku Motors also support the regional economy, along with a number of manufacturing businesses that maintain facilities in the city.
Kashima offers a rich natural environment, from the mountains of the Tara range to the expansive tidal landscapes of the Ariake Sea. Its cultural attractions include Yūtoku Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s Three Great Inari Shrines, as well as historic temples, traditional streets, and local craft heritage.
The wider area offers well-known hot spring destinations, including Ureshino Onsen and Shioda Onsen, where visitors can enjoy bathing and relaxation. Historic buildings and cultural events add to the region’s appeal, providing a variety of experiences for travelers.
Festivals and events are held in Kashima every year, helping preserve local traditions and culture. New Year’s visits to Yūtoku Inari Shrine and summer festivals bring together residents and visitors, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the city.
Kashima City is a destination where a beautiful natural setting meets a rich historical heritage. Its mountains, coastal scenery, and tidal flats provide opportunities to enjoy nature, while Yūtoku Inari Shrine, traditional temples, and preserved townscapes reveal the area’s cultural history.
The city’s local industries, transportation network, and community facilities support everyday life, while its many sightseeing attractions draw visitors from Japan and abroad. From seasonal festivals and traditional crafts to the scenery of the Ariake Sea, Kashima offers many ways to discover southern Saga Prefecture.