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Culture
Kashima Gatalympics 2025
Georgina YoungJapan's craziest sporting event held on the mudflats of Kashima.
Legend has it that locals invited a corrupt magistrate to a party on Okinoshima Island over three centuries ago. However, after he was lured to the remote location, they left him on the island, drunk and alone.
Abandoned, the magistrate prayed for a miracle, and a giant fish saved him from certain death. Out of gratitude, the Reformed magistrate built the shrine of Oouo, a "" great fish shrine "".
The torii in the water form a line towards Okinoshima and are renewed every 30 years. At low tide, visitors can walk under the "floating" torii. The Yukino Lantern Festival is held in August, when 500 lanterns light up the ocean.
A 10-minute walk from JR Tara Station. 40 minutes from Nagao Kitakata IC on Nagasaki Expressway.
Japan's craziest sporting event held on the mudflats of Kashima.
The Yūtoku Inari Shrine in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture, is the third largest of the Inari shrines in Japan.
The first ever Takezaki Castle Ruins sakura festival will be held this year, with the beautiful blue of the Ariake Sea and the pale pink of the cherry blossoms creating a stunning contrast.