The Kashima Line (鹿島線) is a railway line operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It links Katori Station with Kashima Soccer Stadium Station by crossing and then following the Tone River, at the border between Chiba Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture.

Operation

Katori Station is on the Narita Line, and all trains of the Kashima Line run through from/to its neighboring station, Sawara, or beyond it, but all trains terminate at Kashima-Jingū. Only Kashima Rinkai Railway Ōarai Kashima Line trains run from here to Kashima Soccer Stadium and Mito Station. Kashima Soccer Stadium Station is only temporarily operated when football matches are held at Kashima Soccer Stadium, the home stadium of Kashima Antlers in J.League (Japan Professional Football League). From Kashima Jingu to Sawara, JR East local trains run approximately once per 1–2 hours. Some Narita Line through service train runs beyond Sawara to Narita. Each day, one through service Sōbu Line (Rapid) train runs to Tokyo Station (weekdays) or Ōfuna Station (weekends and holidays) in the morning, and from Kurihama Station (weekdays) or Tokyo Station (weekends and holidays) in the evening. Until 2015, the Limited Express Ayame service ran between Tokyo Station and Kashima Jingu once per day, from Kashima Jingu in every morning, from Tokyo in every night, and stopping at all stations on the Kashima Line. From Kashima-Jingū and Mito, Oarai Kashima Line local or rapid diesel trains run approximately once an hour. Normally, no passenger trains stops at Kashima Soccer Stadium, except when football matches are played in the stadium. JR Freight also operates trains on the line, from the Tokyo area to the Kashima Rinko Line. The trains change its directions at Kashima Soccer Stadium Station.

Stations

History

This line was planned as the main mass transportation method within the Kashima Industrial Zone along the southern coast of Ibaraki Prefecture, to connect with the Tokyo Metropolis.

Rolling stock

Sōbu Line (Rapid) through service

Past