Kashima Gatalympic 2024

The Kashima Gatarinpikku (Kashima Gatarinpi-k) is an annual event held in early summer in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture. Sometimes simply referred to as “Gatarinpikku,” it takes place at the tidal flats adjacent to Michi-no-Eki Kashima, utilizing the tidal flats for various competitions.

 

Overview:

As part of Kashima City’s community revitalization efforts, the event has been held every year since 1985. The name “Gatarinpikku” is a combination of “Gata” from the tidal flats and “Rinpikku” from the Olympics. Similar to the Olympics, various competitions take place, including events like sliding on the tidal flats using “Gataski” (boards of the height of a person, used in mudflat clam digging), and arranging long boards vertically on the tidal flats, riding a bicycle across them to reach the goal. In the cycling competition, reaching the goal is a rare achievement. In fact, most participants fall off the boards along with their bicycles, as the bicycles lack brakes. Even if they manage to reach the goal, they usually end up falling into the mud. Each year, around 1,500 participants from both within and outside the prefecture take part, with approximately 30,000 spectators attending the event.

 

 

 

 

Event Summary

Kashima, Saga Prefecture

Period

June 2, 2024

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