Kashima
Kashima (鹿島市) is a city in Saga Prefecture, Japan.
Understand
[edit]Don't confuse this city with Kashima City (鹿嶋市) in Ibaraki - both have famous shrines.
Tourist information site
[edit]The local tourist association has a bilingual guide site.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The closest airports are Kyushu-Saga International Airport (九州佐賀国際空港) and Nagasaki Airport. Fukuoka Airport is the nearest airport with the greatest number of international connections, so it's also worth considering.
By train
[edit]Kashima is located along the Nagasaki Main Line which runs from Tosu to Nagasaki. There are four stations: Hizen-Kashima, Hizenhama, Hizen-Nanaura, Hizen-Iida. Express trains stop only at Hizen-Kashima.
- 1 Hizen-Kashima Station (肥前鹿島駅), Takatsuhara. The Limited Express Kamome train stops here, running from Nagasaki to Hakata (Fukuoka). If traveling from the direction of Saga, be aware that some local trains split at Hizen-Yamaguchi Station (the other cars will follow the Sasebo Line to Sasebo). Make sure you're in the right car.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]
- 1 Yutoku Inari Shrine (祐徳稲荷神社 Yūtoku Inari jinja), 1855 Otsu, Furueda, ☏ +81 954-62-2151. Considered to be one of Japan's top three Inari shrines, it was built in 1687 dedicated to the god Inari. The main shrine, the gohoden, stands atop vermillion wooden beams at an impressive 18 meters high. It's architecture is unique among shrines and it is considered to be among the most visually attractive, as well. It offers a lot of seasonal variation, with cherry blossoms around the shrine in spring, a large yellow gingko tree in the fall, and a beautiful red and white contrast if you're lucky enough to visit in the winter when there is snow. Behind the main shrine you'll find many lined torii gates leading up to the Okunoin (inner shrine).
- 2 Kashima Castle Ruins (鹿島城跡). The castle was constructed in 1807 to replace the former Kashima Domain castle which was built in an area that constantly flooded. There was a palace but never a donjon, so it was spared deconstruction when the One Castle Policy was implemented. Unfortunately, it was burned down in the Saga War, but the gates survived and can be viewed today along with the remains of the moat, which lillies grow from in the summer. It's a pleasant public park. Free.
Do
[edit]Kashima Gatalympics is held every May in a small town called Hama, near Kashima City. This event involves playing a variety of sports in the mudflats of the Ariake Sea.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Shin Aburaya (新油屋), 1695-1 Furueda. 09:00-16:00. The makers of the famous Inari Youkan (稲荷ようかん) for over 80 years. It's the most popular local sweet souvenir. Inari Youkan is a red azuki beans in a white bean jelly paste. It comes in a tube with a string on top. To eat it, you push it up from the bottom and use the string to cut off the pieces at whatever thickness you prefer.
- 2 Nogomi Doll Workshop (のごみ人形工房). Ceramic dolls with bells representing each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. They are popular souvenirs that can be bought in the Monzen Shopping Arcade in front of Yutoku Inari Shrine.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Kashima |
| Saga ← Kohoku ← | N  S |
→ Tara → Nagasaki |