Kashima City is located in the southeastern part of Ibaraki Prefecture and has long served as a religious and cultural hub as the temple town of Kashima Shrine, the foremost shrine of the ancient Hitachi Province. Geographically, Kashima lies between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kitaura, and is connected to Lake Kasumigaura and the Tone River system. It was once a crucial hub for water transportation. However, since the Meiji era, with the development of railways and other land transportation, water transport declined, and Kashima was at one point referred to as an "inland island."
The land in the Kashima area is mostly sandy and unsuitable for agriculture, making living conditions relatively tough. However, its proximity to lakes and rivers has ensured abundant water resources, providing favorable conditions for industrial development. In the late 1950s, Kashima and its southern neighbor Kamisu City launched the Kashima Development Project, which involved the construction of Kashima Port and the invitation of heavy industry. From the 1960s onward, the Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone gradually took shape, with steel and petrochemical factories being established, transforming Kashima into a key industrial city.
Sumitomo Metal Industries (later merged into Nippon Steel) established a large steelworks in Kashima, greatly influencing the local area. Its associated football team eventually grew into a prestigious club in the Japan Professional Football League (J.League) — the Kashima Antlers. With the Kashima Soccer Stadium and club facilities, Kashima has come to be known as the "Football City of the Kanto Region."
Kashima City, as a modern municipality, was formed in 1995 (Heisei 7) through the merger of the former town of Kashima and the village of Ōno. Since there was already a “Kashima City” in Saga Prefecture, a different character, “嶋” (shima), was chosen for the city name to avoid duplication, reflecting the spelling of "Kashima Shrine" in the ancient Engishiki register. Nevertheless, many local institutions and facilities, such as Kashima Junior High School and Nippon Steel Kashima Area, still use the original “鹿島” characters.
Culture & Tourism
Religious Heritage
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Kashima Shrine: One of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, rich in history and culture.
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Hōshō-ji Temple: A significant local Buddhist temple.
Nature & Recreation
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Kashima Shiroyama Park
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Chōjagahama Shiosai Hamanasu Park
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Kashima Port Fishing Park
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Shimotsu and Hirai Seaside Bathing Beaches
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Horse Racing Entertainment Facility “Satellite Shiosai Kashima”
Festivals & Events
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Traditional rituals such as the White Horse Festival (Ōmesai), Rice Planting Ceremony, Yabusame (horseback archery), Ancient Martial Arts Demonstrations, and Momote Ceremony
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Religious festivals such as the Saitō Festival, Tenchō Festival, Shikinen Taisai Ofune Festival, and Lantern Festival
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Local seasonal events such as the Spring Cherry Blossom Festival, Summer Kashima Fireworks Display, and Kashima Festival
