Story Olympic Games only for the Kyushu region! Muddy sports meet filled with smiles By JNTO on 01 June 2017

“Kashima Gatalympics” is an Olympics-like sports event held on the huge tidal flats of the Ariake Sea in Kashima City, which has the largest tidal range in Japan. Having been held annually from around late May to early June since 1985, this 33-year-old “Gatalympics” was named after “higata”, or tidal flats in Japanese, and the Olympics. This representative event of Saga Prefecture has a lot of different sports events just like the Olympic Games and guest athletes from overseas also participate.
Unique athletic events include “Gata-ski” in which contestants slide on mud using a special wood board, a bicycle race “Gata-chari”, and “Takara sagashi”, which is a treasure hunt in the mud. With people of all ages earnestly participating in the events and getting covered with mud from the head to toe, this fun filled site is something to behold. Just watching these competitors in action brings a big smile to any face. Free to visit, no admission fee. Come and enjoy this event filled with nature and big smiles!

Kashima Gatalympics

Address

4427-6 Otonari-ko, Kashima City (Nanaura Kaihin Sports Park)

Website

https://saga-kashima-kankou.com/en/event/14375

Phone

0954-69-8466