Mishima travel guide

Mishima, Japan

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Mishima

Introduction

Mishima is a city in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, covering a relatively compact area of roughly 62 square kilometres. It is a place of considerable population density, with a settled, built-up character rather than open countryside.

Before you go

Mishima sits at the base of a peninsula, surrounded by the sea and directly south of Mt Fuji, and its historical role collecting meltwater runoff earned it the local name “City of Water”. Water features are prominent around the station front area to symbolise this. Be aware, though, that industrial facilities upstream now draw heavily on the water supply, so less reaches the city than the name suggests: Rakujuen (楽寿園), the city's landscaped park with its lake, is today largely a dry bed of craggy basalt, and water flows in some parts of town only through considerable human intervention.

Before arriving, check the local tourist association's multilingual guide site, which is designed for smartphone use. If you read Japanese, the association's Japanese-only guide website is a fuller alternative, and its Pamphlet section carries some materials in English and other languages.

Getting there

Mishima is served by Mishima Station, which sits on both the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and the Tōkaidō Main Line. From Tokyo, all Kodama services and some Hikari services stop at the station; the Kodama takes about an hour and the Hikari about forty-five minutes. Local trains on the Tōkaidō Main Line require a transfer at Atami and take around two hours. All of these services are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Getting around

Mishima is compact, and Mishima Station is the anchor of its transport network — three rail operators converge there, and many of the city's sights and services are reachable on foot from the station. For anything farther out, the Izuhakone Sunzu Line runs from Mishima deeper into the Izu Peninsula to Shuzenji, with several local stops within Mishima itself; note that it is a private railway, so the Japan Rail Pass does not cover it. City buses and taxis serve the region, and highway buses run regularly into the city.

If your itinerary lines up with the Tokai Bus Orange Shuttle, the Mishimaru Kippu all-day bus pass gives unlimited rides on that route and discounts at select sightseeing spots and restaurants — but it is valid only on that single operator's route, so check which bus you plan to ride first. For flexible short trips, the Harenohi Cycle electric bicycle-sharing service operates around the clock: you register in the app, reserve a bike, unlock it with a PIN, and lock it when finished. Pickup points include Mishima Station North Exit, Mishima-Hirokoji Station, Mishima-Tamachi Station, Mishima City Hall, Mishima Shrine, the Sano Art Museum, and other spots around town, and the network extends into Numazu, Nagaizumi, and Shimizucho. Basing yourself near Mishima Station keeps rail, buses, taxis, and shared bikes all within easy reach.

Where to stay

Mishima's accommodation is concentrated around the train station, so you can base yourself within a short walk of your arrival and departure. On the south side, Hotel Shōmeikan is a convenient business hotel about two minutes from the south exit, with wireless internet access and Japanese-style rooms available. Also on the south side, Hotel Massimo Mishima is barely a minute from the station and keeps its rates reasonable while paying attention to the quality of its interiors.

If you want a soak with a view, the Dormy Inn's top-floor onsen and rotenburo face Mount Fuji — a good choice after a day of walking the area.

Food & drink

Mishima sits close enough to Suruga Bay that cherry shrimp (sakura ebi) turn up on local menus — a tiny variety worth seeking out while you're in town. Eel is another staple: try the traditional bowl of rice topped with broiled unagi. For something to take home or nibble alongside a drink, look for wasabi-zuke, a mix of grated wasabi and sake lees.

For sushi, Uogashi Zushi in the Hagi district is a very popular shop that can get quite crowded at dinner time, so plan around the rush if you want a table. To drink, green tea is the local choice — the first tea of the season is especially good.

What to see and do

Mishima sits near Suruga Bay, with Numazu as the closest port city, and on a clear day you can get a very good view of Mt. Fuji depending on the weather. Start at Mishima Shrine (Mishima Taisha) in Ōmiyachō, a ten-minute walk from Mishima Station or five minutes from Mishima-Tamachi Station on the Sunzu Line. The shrine traces its history to the Nara Period and became famous when Minamoto no Yoritomo became shogun in the Kamakura Period and rebuilt it. Many people come here on New Year's Day for hatsumōde, the first shrine visit of the year.

Rakuju-en is a few steps from the south exit of Mishima Station, a Meiji-era garden with a lake fed by meltwater from Mt. Fuji; the same area holds a small amusement park, a small zoo and a city museum. Just south of the station, the Genpei River is a shallow, clear, cold stream of Fuji springwater where children often play, home to Japanese killifish, minnow, crabs, pond snails and fireflies. Parts of the waterways have been restored with stepping stones, waterwheels and little models to evoke a nostalgic feel, and the southern exit of Rakuju-en leads right onto it.

Three days in Mishima

Day one: Arrive at Mishima Station on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen from Tokyo—the Kodama and Hikari services stop here, and a Japan Rail Pass covers the journey. From the station, walk to Rakujuen, a park with views toward Mt Fuji and water running through it. Pick up a pamphlet in English before you set out. In the afternoon, take the Izuhakone Sunzu Line toward the Izu Peninsula, or stay in town and explore the streets around Hirokoji Station and Tamachi Station.

Day two: Use the Tokai Bus Orange Shuttle or the Mishimaru Kippu pass to get around. Visit Mishima Shrine and the Sano Art Museum, then stop by Mishima City Hall for local information. If you want to cycle, Harenohi Cycle offers pickup near Mishima Station North Exit. The weather can be warm and humid in summer, so plan outdoor time for the morning.

Day three: Take the Izuhakone Sunzu Line to Shuzenji on the Izu Peninsula, or head toward Numazu and Atami on the Tōkaidō Main Line. Local trains connect these stops, and the Japan Rail Pass covers the main lines. Before you leave, check your pamphlet for English details on the routes back to Mishima Station.

About this place