Talk:Mishima, Shizuoka
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I have visited Mishima on several occasions, the first being in 1982. My last visit was in 1997 but I remain in contact with various people (this is being written in Sept 2004).
My visits were occasioned by my active participation is the sister cities program of Pasadena. Mishima is Pasadena's sister city in Japan.
The Mishima I know is a small, centralized city easily reached by JR rail, whether by shinkansen or slower trains. The railroad station (eki) is located in a commerical area a few blocks from the center of downtown.
I prefer the businessman's hotels over homestays but the homestays have been very rewarding. I just prefer my independence and if I have to get in the middle of the night, I prefer to be in a hotel and not disturb my hosts by my having to get up to use the facilities in the middle of the night.
With a bicycle, I could leisurely pump around on the streets and have a fine sense of being a local citizen participating in their daily activities. As I've come to know some people at city hall (through the sister cities program) and other citizens, I've have enjoyed every hour of my visits there.
For independent travelers who prefer people over places (tourist or otherwise), you may find Mishima a nice spot to acquaint yourself with the beauties of Japanese culture, society, life and so on.
Bob Aronoff (Pasadena, Calfornia, USA)Bold text
