is a city located in the southern part of Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. As of February 28, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 30,159 and a population density of 270 persons per km². The total area is 112.10 km². Geography Kashima is located about 60 kilometers southwest of Saga City. It borders the Ariake Sea to the east and Nagasaki Prefecture to the southwest. The southern area contains the Tara Mountains and the northern area consists of open plains along the coast, and the city proper. Mountains: Mount Kyōga (1076 m), Mount Jōdo (501 m), Mount Kotoji (501 m), Mount Gibi (198 m) Rivers: Shiota River, Kashima River, Hama River, Naka River Adjoining municipalities Saga Prefecture Ureshino Shiroishi Tara Nagasaki Prefecture Ōmura History 1889-04-01 - The modern municipal system was established. The current city region consists of six villages (Minami-Kashima, Kita-Kashima, Hachihongi, Fureda, Nogomi and Nanaura; all from Fujitsu District). 1912-12-01 - Minami-Kashima Village became Minami-Kashima Town, and Kita-Kashima Village was renamed Kashima Village. 1918-08-03 - Hachihongi Village became Hama Town. 1954-04-01 - Kashima Town absorbed Hama Town, Kashima Village, Furueda Village and Nogomi Village to create Kashima City. 1955-03-01 - Part of Nanaura Village was incorporated into Kashima City, while the remaining portion was incorporated into Tara Town. Education High schools Saga Prefectural Kashima High School Saga Prefectural Kashima Vocational High School Junior high schools Tōbu Junior High School Seibu Junior High School Elementary schools Kashima Elementary School Nogomi Elementary School Furueda Elementary School Hama Elementary School Kita-Kashima Elementary School Nanaura Elementary School Meirin Elementary School Transportation Air The nearest airports are Saga Airport and Nagasaki Airport. Rail JR Kyushu Nagasaki Main Line Hizen-Kashima Station - Hizen-Hama Station - Hizen-Nanaura Station - Hizen-Iida Station (the main station is Hizen-Kashima) Road Expressways: There are no expressways in Kashima. The closest interchange is the Ureshino Interchange. National highways: Route 207 Route 444 Route 498 Prefectural roads: Saga Prefectural Route 41 Festivals The Kashima Gatalympics is held every May in Hama-chō, a part of Kashima City. This event involves playing a variety of sports in the mudflats of the Ariake Sea. Sport The local football club is Saga LIXIL F.C., and competes in the Kyushu Football League. Formerly known as Kyushu INAX SC, it changed its name when INAX's parent company LIXIL took over. It's also a pun on the team being from Kashima, as LIXIL