Things To Do
in Kashima
Kashima is a small city in Ibaraki Prefecture best known for its historic Kashima Jingu shrine and as home to the successful J.League soccer club Kashima Antlers. The city blends a peaceful rural and shrine-centered culture with a striking industrial coastal zone, offering both green landscapes and dramatic factory-night views. Visitors can enjoy traditional Shinto architecture, local seafood, and easy access to wider Ibaraki attractions like Hitachi Seaside Park and Mt. Tsukuba.
Kashima is a low-key destination that rewards travelers who appreciate history, sport, and off-the-beaten-track Japanese towns.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Narita International Airport and take a scenic train ride to Kashima. Enjoy the picturesque views of the countryside during your journey. Check into your hotel and freshen up before exploring the local area.
Visit the famous Kashima Shrine, known for its stunning architecture and serene atmosphere. Take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding forest, soaking in the tranquility of the sacred grounds. Enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Indulge in a relaxing dinner at a local izakaya, where you can savor fresh seafood and local specialties. As the sun sets, explore the charms of Kashima's nightlife and perhaps participate in a local festival, if available. Wind down with a nightcap at a cozy bar, enjoying conversations with friendly locals.
Start your day with a hearty Japanese breakfast at your hotel before heading to the Kashima Shrine to witness the morning rituals. After that, visit the historic Kashima Jingu Museum to learn about the area's rich cultural heritage. Enjoy the early freshness of the day as you explore ancient artifacts.
Head to the nearby historical city of Sawara, known for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings. Spend time wandering through traditional shops and enjoying lunch at a quaint café. Don't miss the picturesque canal views that the area is famous for.
Return to Kashima in the evening for a unique dining experience at a kaiseki restaurant, where you can sample a multi-course meal. Reflect on your day while enjoying the beautiful ambiance. Conclude the evening with a scenic walk along the Kashima waterfront.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $8-12 |
| ☕Coffee (regular café) | $2.50-4 |
| 🚕Taxi start (daytime) | $6-8 |
| 🚆Local train ride (short) | $1.50-3 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $70-120 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich shrine culture and historic Kashima Jingu.
- Home of Kashima Antlers—great for sports fans and match-day atmosphere.
- Peaceful, low-tourist environment with easy access to nature and coastal scenery.
- Limited English signage and services in smaller shops and clinics.
- Public transport can be sparse outside peak times; some attractions require a car or bike.
- Fewer nightlife and dining options compared with larger Japanese cities.
- "こんにちは (Konnichiwa)" - Hello / Good afternoon
- "ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu)" - Thank you (polite)
- "すみません (Sumimasen)" - Excuse me / Sorry / Thank you (when getting attention)
- "おねがいします (Onegaishimasu)" - Please (when requesting something)
- "英語は話せますか？ (Eigo wa hanasemasu ka?)" - Do you speak English?
- "水をください (Mizu o kudasai)" - Please give me water
Places to Visit in Kashima
Visit one of these nice places.
Historic Shinto shrine with traditional torii gates, cedar-lined paths and elegant shrine buildings—excellent for architecture, rituals and seasonal festivals.
Dynamic sports photography opportunities, colorful crowds on game days, and the stadium exterior for modern-architecture shots.
The coastal industrial zone offers dramatic night photography with lit chemical plants, pipes and reflections—best viewed from designated safe viewpoints.
Calm waters, reed beds and birdlife make sunrise and golden-hour shots especially rewarding for nature photography.
In spring and autumn nearby parks (and nearby Hitachi Seaside Park on day trips) produce sweeping floral and landscape images.
Food in Kashima
Kashima Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Rice bowls topped with local catches—tuna, mackerel, squid or boiled shellfish—available at small markets and casual restaurants near the coast.
Must-Try!
Light, crisp tempura using locally harvested seafood and vegetables; good at soba shops and tempura specialists around town.
Ibaraki is famous for natto (fermented soybeans); you’ll see it served with rice, in set breakfasts, or incorporated into local dishes—try a natto set at a traditional morning eatery.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small-scale fish markets and early-morning stalls near the port sell freshly caught seafood and prepared items; great for sashimi, grilled fish, and donburi bowls.
Around Kashima Station on event days you’ll find food stalls and vendors selling yakitori, takoyaki and match-day snacks popular with soccer fans.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Bowing is the normal greeting; be respectful and polite in interactions. Use quiet voices in public spaces and on trains.
Remove shoes where indicated (temples, some restaurants, ryokan and homes) and follow rules about slippers and separate toilet slippers.
Line up orderly for trains and buses, avoid talking loudly on mobile phones in public transport, and keep public spaces clean—carry a small bag for trash if needed.
At shrines, bow before entering torii, cleanse hands and mouth at the temizuya, and be respectful when taking photos—don't enter restricted areas or interrupt worshippers.
Safety
Tipping in Kashima
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not customary in Japan; neat service charges or polite declines are standard. Exceptional service can be acknowledged with a small gift, but not a cash tip left for staff.
Cash (yen) is widely used—many smaller shops, markets and taxis prefer it. Major credit cards are accepted at hotels, chain restaurants and larger stores; international ATMs are available at 7-Eleven and Japan Post offices. IC transit cards (Suica/Pasmo) are commonly used in urban areas but may not cover every local bus or rural shop.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Cherry blossom season (late March–April) brings sakura at parks and shrine precincts; pleasant temperatures make this a popular time for outdoor activities.
Hot, humid weather with temperatures often above 30°C (86°F); typhoon risk from late summer into early autumn—stay updated on forecasts during this period.
Milder temperatures and clear skies; autumn foliage peaks around late October–November, offering colorful shrine and countryside scenes.
Cool to cold with occasional frost and rare light snow; fewer crowds and crisp clear days make it comfortable for sightseeing if you dress warmly.
Kashima at Night
Hiking in Kashima
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
One of Ibaraki’s best-known mountains—accessible for day hikes with established trails, cable car options and panoramic views from the summit on clear days.
Smaller ranges and trails near the Ibaraki–Tochigi border offer moderate hikes, forested paths and quiet countryside scenery suitable for half-day excursions.
Flat, easy walks along the coast and around Lake Kitaura provide wildlife viewing, birdwatching and gentle exercise with minimal elevation gain.
Airports
How to reach Kashima by plane.
Closer regional airport serving domestic flights and some international routes; reachable by car or bus and convenient for northern Ibaraki access.
Major international gateway (Tokyo area) with the most flight options; access to Kashima by bus, train and rental car—expect 1.5–2.5 hours depending on connections.
Tokyo’s other international airport with frequent domestic and international services; slightly farther by road but often faster by some transit routes depending on traffic.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Kashima has a considerable older population typical of regional Japan alongside family households that maintain local businesses and agriculture.
The coastal industrial zone attracts workers from elsewhere in Japan and a growing number of foreign technical trainees and factory employees (including communities from Brazil, the Philippines and Southeast Asia).
During match days and events the city draws visiting fans and commuters from surrounding areas, creating a more diverse, lively crowd.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Soccer is huge locally because of Kashima Antlers, one of Japan’s most successful J.League clubs—match days bring community energy and fan culture.
Baseball is popular nationwide and well-followed locally in schools and community leagues.
Recreational and small-scale commercial fishing are common along the coast and lakes, with many locals enjoying angling.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Kashima.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are available but limited; emphasize 'watashi wa bejitarian desu' and ask for dishes without dashi (fish stock). Look for vegetable tempura, tofu dishes, and farm-fresh salads; larger restaurants and hotels may accommodate requests with advance notice.
Vegan travelers should prepare to be flexible. Pack snacks for remote outings, use translation cards to explain no fish, no dashi, and seek out temple shojin ryori (when available) or vegan-friendly cafés in larger nearby cities.
Soy sauce and many sauces contain wheat; rice-based dishes and fresh sashimi are safe choices. Use a gluten-free card to clarify needs in restaurants.
Food labels and English assistance are limited in smaller shops—carry an allergy card in Japanese and inform staff before ordering.