Kashima City, located in the southwestern part of Saga Prefecture, is surrounded by the Ariake Sea to the east and the Tara Mountains to the west, making it a land rich in natural beauty. The region has a long history, and excavations of pottery bearing streak patterns believed to date back to the early Jomon period have revealed that people have lived in parts of the foothills of Mount Tara for thousands of years. One of the city's specialties is Saga cotton, which originated in the Hizen Kashima Domain during the Edo period. Well-known both domestically and internationally, the gorgeous textiles, showcasing the beauty of nature, continue to thrive as a traditional industry in the city. Other popular local products include nori seaweed, mandarin oranges, and Inari yokan. Yutoku Inari Shrine, located within the city, is renowned as one of Japan's three major Inari shrines and is a popular tourist spot.