Things to Do in Kashima (鹿嶋市), Ibaraki: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kashima (鹿嶋市) in Ibaraki Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kashima Shrine, Kita-ura (7.4 km), Nasakaura (7.9 km) and served by Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) via the regional hub at Mito Station (JR Joban Line) & Tsukuba Express. Set at 38 m elevation (35.9656°N, 140.6448°E), Kashima offers travelers a base for sampling regional Anko nabe (monkfish hotpot), Hitachi wagyu beef, Mito natto cuisine and exploring neighboring Itako (潮来市) (8.3 km), Kamisu (神栖市) (8.6 km), Namegata (行方市) (14.3 km), Katori (香取市) (15.1 km).

Kashima is the home of the J. League's Kashima Antlers. Kashima is located in southeastern Ibaraki Prefecture, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and Lake Kitaura (Lake Kasumigaura) to the west, with a width of less than 10 kilometers from east-to-west. It is approximately 110 kilometers to the northeast of Tokyo. Kashima was developed from the Nara period together with the ichinomiya of Hitachi Province, Kashima Shrine. Within Ibaraki Prefecture, Kashima (鹿嶋市) serves as a city in Ibaraki Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1995-09-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Hitachi Seaside Park flower hills, Kairakuen (one of Japan's Three Great Gardens), Oarai Isosaki Shrine's ocean torii gate, Mount Tsukuba, and Fukuroda Falls.

What to See & Do in Kashima (鹿嶋市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kashima (鹿嶋市) from Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) at 38 m elevation (35.9656°N, 140.6448°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kashima):

• Kashima Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Kashima (鹿嶋市).
• Kita-ura (7.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kashima (鹿嶋市).
• Nasakaura (7.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kashima (鹿嶋市).
• Kōno-ike (8.8 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Kashima (鹿嶋市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kashima: Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) (connecting to Mito Station (JR Joban Line) & Tsukuba Express).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kashima

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kashima (鹿嶋市) and Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Ibaraki Prefecture and Kanto:

• Itako (潮来市) — 8.3 km from Kashima (Ibaraki Prefecture)
• Kamisu (神栖市) — 8.6 km from Kashima (Ibaraki Prefecture)
• Namegata (行方市) — 14.3 km from Kashima (Ibaraki Prefecture)
• Katori (香取市) — 15.1 km from Kashima (Chiba Prefecture)
• Tōnoshō (東庄町) — 17.1 km from Kashima (Chiba Prefecture)

Getting to Kashima & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kashima (鹿嶋市) via Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km): 45m from Tokyo Akihabara to Tsukuba on the Tsukuba Express, or 1h 15m from Tokyo/Ueno Station to Mito on the JR Hitachi Limited Express. From Mito Station (JR Joban Line) & Tsukuba Express, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) to reach central Kashima (35.9656°N, 140.6448°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Mito with Kashima (鹿嶋市) and neighboring Itako, Kamisu, Namegata. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kashima, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kashima and continuing toward Itako can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kashima: While Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) anchors public transit for Kashima, picking up a rental car at Mito Station (JR Joban Line) & Tsukuba Express makes it easy to link Kashima Shrine and Kita-ura (7.4 km) with nearby Itako (潮来市) (8.3 km), Kamisu (神栖市) (8.6 km), Namegata (行方市) (14.3 km), Katori (香取市) (15.1 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kashima (鹿嶋市) & Ibaraki

Dining near Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) and across Kashima (鹿嶋市) highlights the regional food culture of Ibaraki Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kashima:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kashima (鹿嶋市): coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets alongside regional agriculture, seasonal produce, and traditional local craftsmanship.
• Anko nabe (monkfish hotpot) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kashima (鹿嶋市) and Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Hitachi wagyu beef — regional specialty enjoyed across Kashima (鹿嶋市) and Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Mito natto — regional specialty enjoyed across Kashima (鹿嶋市) and Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Hitachiota soba — regional specialty enjoyed across Kashima (鹿嶋市) and Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Dried sweet potatoes (hoshi-imo) & melons — regional specialty enjoyed across Kashima (鹿嶋市) and Ibaraki Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kashima (鹿嶋市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km).

Where to Stay in Kashima (鹿嶋市)

Visitors staying overnight in Kashima (鹿嶋市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km), or base at major rail hubs in Mito (Mito Station (JR Joban Line) & Tsukuba Express) or neighboring Itako, Kamisu, Namegata for quick train access into Kashima. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kashima & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kashima (鹿嶋市, 38 m elevation at 35.9656°N, 140.6448°E): February–March for Mito Kairakuen's 3,000 plum trees; late April–May for blue nemophila hills and October for red kochia at Hitachi Seaside Park.

Wider sightseeing across Ibaraki Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Kashima Shrine in Kashima (鹿嶋市) includes: Hitachi Seaside Park flower hills, Kairakuen (one of Japan's Three Great Gardens), Oarai Isosaki Shrine's ocean torii gate, Mount Tsukuba, and Fukuroda Falls.

Practical Travel Tips for Kashima (鹿嶋市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kashima: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Mito Station (JR Joban Line) & Tsukuba Express or Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) for local bus schedules to Kashima Shrine and walking maps of Kashima (鹿嶋市).
• Cash & ATMs in Kashima: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kashima Shrine often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kashima accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kashima: Around Kashimajingū Station (鹿島神宮駅) (1.8 km) and neighboring Itako, Kamisu, Namegata, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.