Mishima: Art, History and Nature

Mishima offers a variety of reasons to visit: at the Sano Art Museum, you can encounter East Asian art and crafts; at the ruins of Yamanaka Castle, the moat designs of the Hōjō clan; and at Rakuju-en, ponds, woodland and nature. This variety appeals to travellers who want to combine cultural interests with experiences of the landscape. When looking for a holiday apartment in Mishima, you can first consider whether this mix suits the interests of your travel group.

Discover Art and History

The Sano Art Museum displays part of its collection in a permanent exhibition room. The collection consists mainly of East Asian art and crafts. Among the exhibits is a seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai, designated an Important Cultural Property. Art enthusiasts can get a first-hand look at part of the collection, whose focus is not limited to paintings but also includes crafts. The museum is one facet of Mishima’s cultural scene.

The ruins of Yamanaka Castle offer a different way to engage with history. The moat designs known as Shōji-bori and Une-bori have been preserved there and are characteristic of castles belonging to the Hōjō clan. These two names give the historic features a distinctive character: rather than thinking only of a castle as a structure, you can focus on the moats as a defining feature. In clear weather, the ruins offer views across the Shōji-bori towards Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji. When visibility allows, these two striking landscape features can be seen alongside the historic site.

Ponds, Woodland and Remarkable Trees

Rakuju-en is a garden with natural ponds, including Kohama Pond and Serino-se, surrounded by natural woodland. The site is designated a National Natural Monument and a Place of Scenic Beauty. Visitors can observe trees that have grown on the Mishima Lava Flow, as well as wild birds. This gives nature enthusiasts a focus alongside art and castle history: the emphasis is on bodies of water, woodland and observations in nature.

The grounds of Mishima Taisha also feature a remarkable natural landmark: an osmanthus tree that is protected as a Natural Monument and is estimated to be 1,200 years old. The age is an estimate. Together with the trees on the Mishima Lava Flow, it shows how different aspects of nature feature at the places described—once in the context of a garden, and once as a single protected tree on the grounds of Mishima Taisha.

Which Mishima Experiences Suit Your Trip

The approximately 1.5 km-long Genbei River is an irrigation canal that flows through the city of Mishima to Nakazato Onsuichi Pond. It adds another water-related element to the picture of the city. Its approximate length and route offer practical points of reference for anyone interested in waterways and the landscape within the city.

A special event takes place on January 7: the Ota-uchi ritual is held at Mishima Taisha and is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Shizuoka Prefecture. When planning your trip, you can choose between the art collection, historic moats and views, nature watching, and this date-specific ritual. If you are travelling with children, this selection can also help you decide together which topics most interest the group. A holiday apartment in Mishima may be a suitable option if you want to focus your stay on the cultural and landscape features described here.

Discover More Destinations

If you’d also like to explore other places: Midaka, Shizuoka, Susono, Fujieda, Fujinomiya, Iwata, Shimoda and Makinohara.

For the broader travel overview: Shizuoka Prefecture.