Mishima

Mishima

Mishima, city, Shizuoka ken (prefecture), east-central Honshu, Japan. It is situated on the Izu Peninsula at the western foot of Mount Hakone.

In early historic times it was the capital of Izu province (now part of Shizuoka prefecture). At the beginning of the Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603–1867) it became a major post town on the Tōkaidō (Eastern Sea Road). The city’s scenic spots include the well-known Mishima Shrine with its beautiful landscaped gardens.

Mishima is now an important railway and highway hub, serving as the gateway to many of the spas on the Izu Peninsula, such as Nagaoka and Shuzenji. Dairy cattle are raised in the surrounding area, and there are several dairy-processing plants in the city. Abundant groundwater fed by Mount Fuji has attracted many other manufactures to the city, including paper, machinery, textiles, and rubber. Pop. (2005) 112,241; (2010) 111,838.