Famed for its views of Mount Fuji, Mishima is a vibrant city at the top of the Izu Peninsula. It’s home to the sacred shrine of Mishima Taisha and a renowned cultural museum, along with the Yamanaka Castle ruins and recently-built Mishima Skywalk.
Things to do in Mishima
Admire the ornate wooden buildings of the Mishima Taisha shrine, which dates back to the 8th-century Nara period. It’s home to a 1,200-year-old sweet osmanthus tree and a small museum showcasing ancient swords and a lacquerware wooden box that’s a National Treasure of Japan.
Soak up the spectacular views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay from the Mishima Skywalk, a modern 400-metre-long pedestrian suspension bridge. It spans a forested valley on the western slope of Mount Hakone, where longer walking trails continue into the mountains.
There are also impressive Mount Fuji views from the 16th-century ruins of the Yamanaka Castle, which scatter across a landscaped park near the Mishima Skywalk. This yamajiro-style Japanese castle was built overlooking the Tōkaidō highway, with its forested landscape of moats and earthen works listed as a National Historic Site.
See some of the region’s most prized cultural treasures at the Sano Art Museum, where a 13th-century Naginata sword, gilt bronze Buddhist statues, Noh masks and oriental ceramics are on display. The museum was established adjacent to a traditional Japanese garden that boasts meandering pathways and flowing water features.
Getting around Mishima
Mishima is just under two hours by train from Tokyo and 1.5 hours from Haneda International Airport. Buses travel throughout Mishima and connect to the sights on the city’s outskirts.