Mishima (三島)

Map

Getting There

• train
• bus
• car

Best Times to Visit

• spring: Cherry blossoms around Mishima Taisha, Rakujuen, and waterways make spring especially scenic; comfortable walking weather enhances sightseeing.
• summer: Cool spring-fed waterways, lush greenery, firefly viewing from May, and the major August Mishima Festival create strong summer appeal.
• autumn: November chrysanthemums, autumn foliage, pleasant hiking conditions, and seasonal Hakone foothill produce make autumn highly rewarding.
• winter: Winter highlights include Mount Fuji views, dried daikon traditions, seasonal eel, and New Year visits to Mishima Taisha.

What's There

• architecture: Rakujuen’s Meiji-era villa and Mishima Taisha’s historic shrine buildings provide notable architectural interest.
• art: The Sano Art Museum exhibits Japanese paintings, sculpture, swords, ceramics, masks, textiles, and dolls.
• bridge: Mishima Skywalk is a major pedestrian suspension bridge with expansive views.
• cherry blossoms: Mishima Taisha, Rakujuen, and riverside paths are popular during the late-March to early-April blossoms.
• culture: Historic shrines, traditional architecture, museums, festivals, and the former Tokaido post-town heritage create strong cultural appeal.
• festival: The August Mishima Festival features floats, traditional music, processions, and religious ceremonies.
• food: Local specialties include Mishima croquettes, branded potatoes, wasabi, seasonal vegetables, and eel.
• flowers: Spring blossoms and Rakujuen’s November chrysanthemum displays add seasonal floral attractions.
• garden: Rakujuen combines a historic villa with landscaped grounds, trees, ponds, and natural spring-water scenery.
• hiking: Autumn excursions around Hakone Hachiri and nearby Yamanaka Castle complement Mishima’s walking attractions.
• history: Mishima Taisha, Rakujuen, and the city’s former Tokaido post-town role offer substantial historical interest.
• market: Local produce, croquettes, prepared foods, and regional specialties can be purchased around the city.
• mountain: Mishima Skywalk and nearby foothill areas provide views toward Mount Fuji and mountain landscapes.
• museum: The Sano Art Museum and Rakujuen’s cultural facilities support dedicated museum and heritage visits.
• nature: Spring-fed waterways, volcanic geology, greenery, wildlife facilities, and seasonal landscapes are central attractions.
• park: Rakujuen and Shirataki Park provide gardens, greenery, spring water, recreation, and family-friendly outdoor spaces.
• river: The clear, spring-fed Genbei River and Sakura River offer distinctive waterside walks and stepping-stone experiences.
• shopping: Visitors can buy croquettes, vegetables, wasabi products, eel-related foods, and other local specialties.
• shrine: Mishima Taisha is a major historic Shinto shrine and the focus of important annual ceremonies.
• spiritual: Mishima Taisha’s sacred grounds, rituals, and longstanding religious importance create a strong spiritual dimension.
• views: Mishima Skywalk offers panoramic views toward Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay, weather permitting.
• wildlife: Rakujuen includes animal facilities featuring species such as red pandas, capybaras, and alpacas.
• farm: The western Hakone foothills produce branded potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, wasabi, and other regional crops.

Specialties

• Mishima Croquette (三島コロッケ): Mishima Croquette is made with 100% Mishima potatoes grown in the Hakone foothills. It is known for a crisp exterior, creamy texture, and naturally sweet flavor.
• Mishima Potato (三島馬鈴薯): Mishima potatoes are a locally branded crop grown in the Hakone foothills. The potatoes are harvested by hand, matured before shipment, and used in local foods including Mishima Croquettes.
• Mishima Sweet Potato (三島甘藷): Mishima Sweet Potato is a locally produced sweet potato with a high sugar content. It is also used in the official sweet-potato version of Mishima Croquette.
• Mishima Wasabi (三島わさび): Mishima Wasabi is one of the local products associated with the city and its water-rich environment. Wasabi pickles and other wasabi products are traditional local specialties.
• Hakone Foothills Mishima Vegetables (箱根西麓三島野菜): These vegetables are cultivated in the fertile Hakone foothills around Mishima. The regional brand includes daikon, carrots, celery, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, and other seasonal produce.