Mishima, Fukushima

Mishima (三島町, Mishima-machi) is a town located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2020, the town had an estimated population of 1,590 in 755 households,[1] and a population density of 18 persons per km². The total area of the town was 90.81 square kilometres (35.06 sq mi). In 2017, Mishima was selected as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.[2]

Mishima

三島町
Town
Mishima Town Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Mishima in Fukushima Prefecture
Mishima
 
Coordinates: 37°28′13.1″N 139°38′40.1″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureFukushima
DistrictŌnuma
Area
 • Total90.81 km2 (35.06 sq mi)
Population
 (March 2020)
 • Total1,590
 • Density18/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreePaulownia tomentosa
- FlowerPrunus sargentii
- BirdVaried tit
Phone number0241-48-5533　
Address350 Miyashita Mishima-machi, Ōnuma-gun, Fukushima-ken 969-7511
WebsiteOfficial website
Bridge on Tadami River

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 (Köppen Dfb) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Mishima is 11.5 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1477 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.1 °C.[3]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Mishima has declined steadily over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 4,518—    
1930 4,728+4.6%
1940 5,287+11.8%
1950 7,721+46.0%
1960 5,803−24.8%
1970 4,108−29.2%
1980 3,389−17.5%
1990 2,886−14.8%
2000 2,474−14.3%
2010 1,926−22.2%

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.

  • Mishima Town Mishima Middle School
  • Mishima Town Mishima Elementary School

Transportation

Railway

JR East – Tadami Line

Highway

Local attractions

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

References
  1. Mishima Town official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan
  3. Mishima climate data
  4. Mishima population statistics

Media related to Mishima, Fukushima at Wikimedia Commons

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