Mishima, Fukushima


Mishima is a town located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 1,590 in 755 households, and a population density of. The total area of the town was. In 2017, Mishima was selected as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.

Geography

Mishima is located in the western portion of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. Most of the town is covered with forests. Traffic is concentrated along the Tadami River in the northern part of the town, and the main functions of the town such as government offices and hospitals are located in the Miyashita area. Miyashita Dam is located slightly upstream, and there is a hydroelectric power plant using the dam. The town has a number of hot springs.

Neighboring municipalities

Fukushima Prefecture

Climate

Mishima has a humid continental climate/oceanic climate characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Mishima is. The average annual rainfall is with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around, and lowest in January, at around.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Mishima has declined steadily over the past 70 years.

History

The area of present-day Mishima was part of ancient Mutsu Province and formed part of the holdings of Aizu Domain during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, it was organized as part of Ōnuma District in Fukushima Prefecture. Mishima village was founded on July 1, 1955 through a merger of the villages of Miyashita and Nishikata. It was raised to town status on April 1, 1961.

Economy

Hydroelectric power generation from numerous dams on the Tadami River is the primary source of revenue for the town, along with forestry and wood products.

Education

Mishima has one public elementary school and one public junior high school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railway

JR EastTadami Line
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Highway

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Local attractions

Mishima Sai-no-kami Festival, a National Intangible Cultural Property