Kashima Town is located in Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture, immediately south of Kumamoto City. Although close to the prefectural capital, it retains a distinctive natural environment shaped by abundant groundwater, rivers, farmland, and historic places of worship. The Midori River, Mifune River, Kase River, and Yakatagawa River flow through or near the town, contributing to its fertile landscape and providing water for agriculture and daily life.
Kashima is particularly well known for its exceptionally clear spring water. The springs around Ukishima and the Rokuka district have received national recognition, and the town was selected for Japan’s “100 Water Villages” in 1996. Visitors can enjoy scenic ponds, traditional shrines, historic burial sites, seasonal festivals, and locally produced food while discovering a community whose identity is closely tied to its water resources.
Idera Kofun is an important archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the ancient history of Kashima Town. The burial mound is believed to have served as the tomb of an ancient aristocrat or powerful local leader, reflecting the social structures and burial customs of early Japanese society.
Surrounded by a quiet natural environment, the site provides an opportunity to imagine the people who lived in the area centuries ago. It is a place of interest for visitors who want to explore the archaeological heritage of Kumamoto and learn more about the region’s early communities.
Ukishima Shrine, formally known as Ukishima Kumanoimasu Shrine, is one of Kashima’s best-known landmarks. It enshrines Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the divine couple in Japanese mythology who are associated with the creation of the Japanese islands and the birth of many deities.
The shrine is believed to offer blessings for romantic relationships, harmony between married couples, family safety, and fertility. Its grounds extend into a spring-fed pond, making the shrine appear to float on the water. This unusual landscape gives the site a mysterious atmosphere and has made it a cherished place of worship for local residents and a popular destination for visitors.
Ukishima is a signature natural attraction of Kashima Town. The expansive pond covers approximately 6,000 tsubo, equivalent to about 19,800 square meters, and is filled by natural springs. Its exceptionally clear water reflects the surrounding vegetation and changes in appearance with the seasons.
The site has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 remarkable irrigation ponds and is associated with the “100 Remarkable Waters of the Heisei Era” selection. Visitors can enjoy the scenery while walking around the pond, observing wildlife, or simply relaxing beside the water.
The Rokuka Spring Group lies in the Rokuka district beside Ukishima. The area is rich in groundwater, partly because of the geological layers associated with Aso’s volcanic activity. Deposits from pyroclastic flows, Togawa lava, and layers of Ariake clay help create conditions in which groundwater emerges close to the surface.
The spring group has been selected as part of Japan’s “100 Remarkable Waters of the Heisei Era.” Washing areas near the springs continue to be used by local residents, preserving a traditional scene of daily life in which the water serves both practical and social purposes.
Ukishima Waterside Park surrounds the pond and provides a place to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. Reeds, cogon grass, Japanese sweet flag, and other plants grow along the water, supporting a variety of wildlife.
Little grebes and kingfishers can be seen around the pond, while ducks arrive in winter and use the area as a seasonal resting and wintering ground. These features make the park an appealing destination for birdwatching, nature photography, and peaceful walks.
Local volunteers help maintain the area through regular litter collection and vegetation management. Their work helps preserve the clear water and attractive scenery that make Ukishima such an important natural asset for the community.
Kashima Natural Spring-Water Pool is an unusual swimming facility that uses naturally emerging spring water. The cool water makes it a popular destination during summer, when families from Kashima and neighboring areas come to enjoy a refreshing break from the heat.
The pool is distinctive because it makes direct use of the town’s abundant groundwater. It is a practical example of how Kashima’s natural resources contribute to recreation and local tourism.
Kai Shrine is commonly known as Ashite Kōjin. It is a traditional place of worship where people pray for the health and safety of their hands and feet, particularly the legs, hips, and lower body. The shrine has long been revered by people whose work places physical demands on their bodies, including farmers and construction workers.
For local residents, the shrine is an important spiritual place where they can pray for protection, recovery, and continued well-being. Its reputation reflects the close relationship between religious traditions and the everyday concerns of the community.
Rokuka Shrine is an old shrine in Kashima Town that serves as a local guardian shrine. It is closely connected with community life, and worshippers visit to pray for safety, health, and prosperity.
During festivals and other religious observances, the shrine grounds become a gathering place for the community. These occasions provide opportunities to preserve local traditions and strengthen ties among residents.
On January 7 each year, Ukishima Shrine distributes seven-herb rice porridge to visitors. This traditional Japanese custom is associated with prayers for good health and protection from illness during the coming year. The porridge is prepared at the shrine and offered free of charge to worshippers.
The event attracts local residents and other visitors who come to pray and share in the seasonal tradition. It is a welcoming way to experience a Japanese New Year custom while visiting one of Kashima’s most distinctive shrines.
The Tanabata Festival is held at Ukishima Shrine on July 7. Participants write wishes on narrow strips of paper called tanzaku and tie them to bamboo branches, following the traditional custom associated with the meeting of the stars Orihime and Hikoboshi.
The shrine grounds are decorated with colorful Tanabata ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere for children and adults alike. The event offers visitors an opportunity to experience a seasonal Japanese tradition in a beautiful waterside setting.
The Rokuka Lion Dance is a traditional local performance held on October 17. It is performed to pray for protection from misfortune and a successful harvest. Accompanied by drums and flutes, the energetic lion dance brings a lively atmosphere to the shrine grounds.
The performance is an important part of the community’s cultural heritage. Local residents take pride in preserving the tradition, and visitors from other areas may also come to enjoy this distinctive example of regional performing arts.
The Ashite Kōjin Grand Festival takes place at Kai Shrine on February 15. Many worshippers visit to pray for the health and safety of their hands and feet. Religious ceremonies and prayers are held throughout the event, reflecting the shrine’s longstanding role in the lives of people who depend on physical strength and mobility for their work.
Stalls are set up around the shrine during the festival, selling local specialties and other goods. The event combines religious observance with a lively community gathering, giving visitors a chance to experience local culture and traditional festival customs.
Kashima’s abundant spring water is one of its defining characteristics. The Ukishima pond and Rokuka Spring Group are among the area’s best-known natural attractions, offering visitors the chance to enjoy clear water and lush surroundings close to Kumamoto City.
The town also has historic sites such as Idera Kofun and traditional shrines that reveal aspects of its past. By combining nature with cultural heritage, Kashima offers a varied sightseeing experience for visitors interested in both the landscape and the history of rural Kumamoto.
Local shrines play a central role in Kashima’s seasonal events. The seven-herb rice porridge distribution and Tanabata Festival at Ukishima Shrine, the Rokuka Lion Dance, and the Ashite Kōjin Grand Festival are among the occasions that bring residents together throughout the year.
These events help preserve traditional customs and strengthen community ties. For visitors, they provide an opportunity to encounter local culture beyond the area’s natural attractions and to see how religious traditions continue to be part of everyday life.
Kashima’s history reaches back many centuries. Historical accounts associate the area with the former Takuma District. In 1955, Ōshima Village and Rokuka Village in Kamimashiki District merged to establish Kashima Village.
In 1969, Kashima Village became Kashima Town following the introduction of town status. Subsequent boundary changes and local development helped shape the municipality as it exists today.
The town’s history is closely connected with its rivers and groundwater. These resources have supported agriculture, settlement, and daily life, while shrines, burial sites, and traditional festivals preserve elements of the area’s cultural heritage.
The Suntory Kyushu Kumamoto Factory was established in Kashima Town in 2003. Factory tours provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about manufacturing processes and see how products are made.
The facility adds an industrial and educational attraction to the town’s sightseeing options. It also illustrates how local resources, modern manufacturing, and tourism can coexist in a community known for its clean water.
Agriculture is an important part of Kashima’s economy. The town’s principal agricultural products include melons, strawberries, and soybeans, while ayu sweetfish is another local specialty associated with the area’s rivers and waterside environment.
Melons are particularly well known as a local product and are appreciated both within Kumamoto Prefecture and farther afield. The combination of fertile farmland and abundant water supports the production of fresh agricultural goods that contribute to the town’s regional identity.
Ayu, or sweetfish, is a seasonal delicacy associated with the rivers of Kumamoto. Its delicate flavor has made it a popular ingredient in regional cuisine. In and around Kashima, the fish is part of the area’s broader relationship with its waterways and the natural resources they provide.
Visitors interested in local food can look for seasonal ayu dishes at restaurants and riverside facilities in the surrounding region. Availability depends on the season and individual establishments.
The nearest airport is Aso Kumamoto Airport, located in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. From the airport, visitors can continue toward Kashima by road or connect with public transportation serving the Kumamoto area.
Kashima Town does not currently have a railway station. The nearest rail-accessible areas include Kengunmachi, the terminus of the Kumamoto City Tram’s Kengun Line, and JR Minami-Kumamoto Station.
The former Kumamoto En Railway once served the area, with stations including Namazu, Kamishima, and Rokuka. The railway was discontinued in 1964, and these stations are no longer in operation.
Kumamoto Bus operates services through Kashima, providing connections with Kumamoto City and other nearby areas. Because services and routes can change, visitors should check current timetables and choose the stop most convenient for their intended destination.
Kashima Junction connects the Kyushu Expressway network with the Kyushu Chuo Expressway. This road connection makes travel to Kumamoto City and other parts of Kyushu more convenient.
National Routes 266 and 445 are among the major roads serving the area. Traveling by car is a practical option for visiting several attractions, particularly the springs, shrines, and rural sites that are spread across the town.
Kashima Town offers a rich combination of natural scenery, historical sites, local festivals, and regional specialties. The clear waters of Ukishima and the Rokuka Spring Group are among its most distinctive attractions, while Ukishima Shrine, Kai Shrine, Rokuka Shrine, and Idera Kofun provide opportunities to explore its cultural heritage.
Seasonal events, including the seven-herb rice porridge distribution, the Tanabata Festival, the Rokuka Lion Dance, and the Ashite Kōjin Grand Festival, reveal the traditions that continue to shape community life. The town’s melons, strawberries, soybeans, and ayu sweetfish further reflect the value of its agricultural land and waterways.
Located just south of Kumamoto City, Kashima is accessible for a day trip while offering a distinctive atmosphere shaped by its springs, rivers, and rural traditions. It is an appealing destination for travelers who want to experience the natural and cultural richness of Kumamoto Prefecture.