Mishima Things to Do

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Also known as Fort Yamanaka or Yamanaka Fort. Mountain fortress located between Mishima and Hakone is one of the most popular mountain forts in Japan because of its beautifully designed dry moat structure reminiscent of sliding shoji door. Sliding shoji door styled moats are located in upper part of the fort and the lower part of the fort is more like a grassy garden than a fort. In lower part of the fort, however, there is an excellent dry moat called unebori. There are two ponds in upper part of the fort: one is for horses and the other is for drinking water. It takes about two hours to see every part of the fortress.

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Mishima Taisha shrine, known as the most popular new-year-visit site in Shizuoka prefecture used to be the western start of 32-kilometer-long Hakone trail of Tokaido. The shrine has a lot of historical monuments and artifacts. It is also known for horseback archery, yabusame, during summer festival.

Some locals I was lucky to stay with took me to the Hanna Onsen. This Onsen was more like a palace with several soaking baths, steam rooms, cafeteria, movie room, library, Internet and nap room. The price is ¥500 after 7 pm. After paying, store your shoes in lockers and switch to slippers. Be sure to shower before entering any pools or steam areas. You can wear the summer kimono around the other areas. I had a lovely small meal from the cafeteria. I also opted to be buried in sand for 30 minutes.

Byobu Iwa is located at Susono, northern neighbor of Mishima. The rock is in the Kise river about three kilometers north from JR Susono station. It is the formation known as columnar joint the most popular of which is Tojinbo Cliff in Fukui-ken. It is just like Shiraito falls devoid of falls. Or just shaped like Opera house with grand organ. There is a small faint waterfall and you can see the tiny fraction of Keigashima Gorge through the narrow opening. It would be far better if visitors are kind enough not to dispose of litters. Similar kind of geological stractures can be seen in Kyushu Area, the creation by Mt. Aso, such as Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki and Yabakei Gorge in Oita. If you love Byobu Iwa maybe you love these gorges in Kyushu which look as if they were elder brothers. Shizuoka and Kyushu is only a flight away.

Built nearly 800 years ago, this lovely Shinto shrine is located near the centre of the city, and is the site of many festivities throughout the year. It consists of the main building, the hall of worship, and the inner shrine. Around both the inner shrine and hall of worship exquisite engravings can be seen.

There is a parking fee of 200 yen...But to see the shrine is free...

Vacationing in Japan my first time only gave me a miniscule taste of what Mishima had to offer touristically. Being that it was Yuki's hometown in years past we yearned for surroundings new to the couple, not just my eyes. Shortly after moving to Japan I was able to pick through Mishima like a school nurse looking for lice in a toddlers hair. The biggest and most grand picking was the Mishima Taisha. Large complex with some buildings maybe once standing in Kamakura. The taisha sits as the nucleus to the Mishima with many smaller attractions orbitting. In the summer the grounds are the set for the Mishima Matsuri (festival).

Surreal.....just a bit. All families throughout the community are given a fully decorated paper fold out latern from their local shrine. The hexagonal latern has a metal landing in the center to mount a candle. Obon is a holiday that lasts for three days in which the spirits of deceased family members come back for a visit. Obon calendar designation falls on ................ At the end of the three day period families line up by the river in the center of town, light their candle, mount it, hand off the latern to the monks, feet submerged in the water. The monk carefully lays the latern on waters surface and families watch their ancestors spirits head the way of the river. Totally amazing, and all the whille theres a group of monks standing shoreside bellowing chants. Another world!

Go to the JAPAN page for more talk about Holidays and Tradition....coming soon.

Just walking around the quiet downtown district of Mishima City will reward you with many scenes intermixing old and new. Facades falling into decay highlighted with newly painted exteriors help the colorful street life of Mishima. If in town make it a point to stroll around aimlessly to catch your own little scene to remenisce about later.