The Kashima Gatalympics (Gata Pick) is a wonderfully silly and joyful annual festival held on the tidal mudflats of the Ariake Sea at Kashima, usually in late spring or early summer. Taking advantage of the Ariake Sea’s famously deep, sticky mud, contestants — locals and visitors, including foreign participants — compete in a series of madcap mud games: sprinting across the flats (and inevitably face-planting), sliding head-first on wooden mud-boards, tug-of-war, and bicycle races along a greased plank into the mud, all ending in a glorious, laughing mess. Spectators line the shore to cheer, and the whole event is a celebration of the mudflats and pure fun. Muddy, hilarious and unforgettable, the Gatalympics is one of Japan’s most entertaining local festivals — and visitors can even sign up to take part.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kashima, Saga |
| Hours | Festival day (spring/early summer) |
| Admission | Free to watch; entry to compete |
| Time needed | Half day |
| Best time | Festival date (check yearly) |
What to See
- Madcap mud games on the Ariake tidal flats.
- Racing, sliding and belly-flopping in deep mud.
- Locals and foreign visitors competing together.
- A hilarious, joyful celebration of the mudflats.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Ariake mudskipper mudflats .
- Pair with Yutoku Inari Shrine in Kashima.
- Read our Saga overview .
Getting There
- By train + shuttle: JR to Hizen-Kashima, then a shuttle.
- By car: to the Kashima mudflat venue.
Tips
Check the exact date well ahead as it’s held once a year and is very popular, and if you want to compete rather than watch, register in advance and bring a full change of clothes, a towel and shoes you don’t mind ruining. Even spectators can get splashed, so dress accordingly, and combine it with Kashima’s mudflats and Yutoku Inari shrine.
