"City of Water in Fujis Shadow" Mishima by chodearm


Mishima Travel Guide: 40 reviews and 98 photos

Fujis angle - Mishima
Fujis angle
ME....Gaijin

In May 2002 I had enough of the office scene in NY. I was looking for a quick way out. I broke loose via passage to Japan. Yuki, my lady, is from Japan and she previously have brought me to see the homeland, so I was aware what I was to endure. We got there in June of 2002 and wer ethrust straight into monsoon season. Monsson season was something I only heard of in Social Staudies class but now I was experiencing it. Monsson season was an bad introduction, and put a damper on my morale. Once July swung around I remembered why I loved this place, the sun has finally dried up the low lying clouds. Theres the view of the Fuge (Mt. Fuji). We were staying in Mishima which is about an hour and 15 minutes from Tokyo, so excursions to the big city were frequent. I preferred staying in the countryside, whereas Tokyo was a jJapanese version of NYC. Thats what I was running from. So with Mishima as a base i got to see alot. I stayed to late September so had almost four months or so to live everyday as a tourist. I loved it and never will forget the people the culture and our family there.

Summer Festivals
Susono Hana-bi - Mishima

Susono Hana-bi

When the clouds cleared from the aftermath of the Monsoon season, the celebrations begin. There were Hana-bi (fireworks) at least once a week in one of the local towns, and summer festivals were a tradition practiced in almost every nvillage. This allowed me to really see the inner workings of this culture.

Our Homestead.
the view from our window - Mishima

the view from our window

Our house lyes on the outskirts of Mishima city up in the hills half belonging to Susono. The one positive aspect of sitting hillside was the view we were awarded to every morning, looking out over Mishima City ansdthe surrounding valley. On a clear day theres views of Mt. Fuji framed by paperscreens much like a Japanese block print.

Transportation is my one and only complaint about the Land of the rising sun. Yes its highly efficient, but with efficiency and cleanliness comes a hefty price that will punch you in the time and time over. Trains are pay by zone as well as buses so your eyes are strapped to the meter. Keeps going up and up like America's deficit. This raping of my pockets led to a more feasible turn of the century mode of transport...the bicycle. In this department they are up to par, parking lots specifically designed for bikes and bike friendly staircases are abundant. Heres my ride.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:A stop on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka
  • Cons:Travel everywhere in Japan is rediculously expensive.
  • In a nutshell:Falls in the shadows of Fuji-san
  • Last visit to Mishima: Sep 2002
  • Intro Updated Sep 16, 2004
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (27)

Obon in Mishima - Mishima Obon in Mishima Local Customs (3)

coming soon.. more travel advice

see-ment river - Mishima Cement Rivers Favorites (4)

I try to envision this scene minus the hand of humans involved and I come to no conclusion. At some point, maybe a... more travel advice

Canal Rakes - Mishima Canal Rakes Favorites (4)

more travel advice

Mishima Taisha 2 - Mishima Mishima Taisha 2 Things to Do (12)

more travel advice

Comments (12)

Post a Comment   Submit Comment  

chodearm's Related Pages

Mishima Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
chodearm's Profile Photo

chodearm

“Put me elsewhere.”

Online Now

Male

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 5 3 2

Badges & Stats in Mishima

  • 27 Reviews
  • 61 Photos
  • 1 Forum posts
  • 12 Comments
  • 4,344PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (14)

Have you been to Mishima?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Mishima

Photos in Mishima

See All Photos (61)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (71)

Friends

See All Friends (23)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (3)

Latest Mishima hotel reviews

Toyoko Inn Mishima eki kitaguchi
13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 28, 2011
Hotel Alpha-One Mishima
13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 31, 2011
Mishima Green Hotel
1 Review & Opinion
Latest: Sep 30, 2011
Hotel Bloom
1 Review & Opinion
Latest: Aug 24, 2010