'''Mihama''' (御浜町 : ''mihama-chō'') is a small, rural town located in the ~~southern-most part~~ of [[Mie Prefecture]]. As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 9,963. There were rumors of Mihama merging with the slightly larger "city" of Kumano, but a new town office, and a lot of pride, apparently prevented this from happening.

'''Mihama''' (御浜町 : ''mihama-chō'') is a small, rural town located in the [[Deep South]] of [[Mie Prefecture]]. As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 9,963. There were rumors of Mihama merging with the slightly larger "city" of Kumano, but a new town office, and a lot of pride, apparently prevented this from happening.

Mihama is famous for mikan (mandarin oranges). Most likely because of its sub-tropical location, it has become known as “the town where you can pick mikan all year long" (年中みかんのとれる町). This phrase is everywhere in town, it's even written on the manhole covers, accompanied by a picture of a smiling orange.

Located to the north is [[Kumano]], which is a bit bigger than Mihama, and located to the south (across the prefectural border) is [[Shingū]], which is bigger than Kumano. [[Kiho]] ~~Town~~ is on the way to Shingu and is a place to stop and see some cute sea turtles!

Located to the north is [[Kumano]], which is a bit bigger than Mihama, and located to the south (across the prefectural border) is [[Shingū]], which is bigger than Kumano. [[Kiho]] is on the way to Shingu and is a place to stop and see some cute sea turtles!

There are two JETs in Mihama who live on opposite sides of the town. The municipal JET to the north handles all 7 elementary and junior high schools, while the prefectural JET to the south is based at Kinan High School.

*:The town is also located along a stretch of beach, its name literally meaning the "7-ri beach", a ''ri'' being a unit of distance used in olden Japan. It is one of the longest pebble beaches in Japan. Unfortunately, a sharp drop off and a wicked current make swimming extremely dangerous.

*: There is a neat little area across from the town hall (often closed, but easy to get over the gate and have a look-see) with a bunch of ancient looking rocks surrounding a small pond and some Buddha statues. I believe it is a prayer spot associated with the Kumano Kodo.

*:There is a neat little area across from the town hall (often closed, but easy to get over the gate and have a look-see) with a bunch of ancient looking rocks surrounding a small pond and some Buddha statues. I believe it is a prayer spot associated with the Kumano Kodo.

*: There exists a 600 year old juniper tree which has its own plaque designating it as a natural monument of Mie. Located right behind Ichigi preschool, not far from Ichigi station. Don't get your hopes too far up though, it's just a tree. If you like trees, however. Photo: http://www.mikumano.net/meguri/itiginoibuki.html

*: A giant rock split in half, named so because it's thought to look like the peach Momotaro was born from in the famous Japanese fairy tale. Part of a hiking trail out past Oroshi and no way accessible by train. Link: http://www.mikumano.net/meguri/momotaroiwa.html Note: After the big 2011 typhoon there seems to be some fallen trees blocking the path, dunno when/if that will be cleaned up :(

*:Just off of 42, this is the town’s main shopping center. The selection is not great, but most of your basic grocery needs can be found here. It also contains a small 100 yen store, a few clothing shops, an old arcade where all the elementary students hang out, as well as a coin-operated as a laundry mat downstairs. This is also your go-to place for all your Mihama tourist information and souvenirs! Plus the restaurant on the top floor, above the touristy stuff, has free wi-fi. It is, however, almost never open. Luckily though they seem to keep the wi-fi on even when it's not and there are some benches on that same floor, as well as a small free mikan museum.

*:Just off of 42, this is the town’s main shopping center. The selection is not great, but most of your basic grocery needs can be found here. It also contains a small 100 yen store, a few clothing shops, an old arcade where all the elementary students hang out, as well as a coin-operated as a laundry mat downstairs. This is also your go-to place for all your Mihama tourist information and souvenirs! Plus the restaurant on the top floor, above the touristy stuff, has free wi-fi. Said restaurant is, however, almost never open. Luckily though they seem to keep the wi-fi on even when it's not and there are some benches on that same floor, as well as a small free mikan museum.

*:Grocery store. There is one located in Atawa inside Pine. The one in Koshiyama has closed. :( ~~Incidently here~~ is a 24 Okuwa in Kumano, located on route 42 ~~and close to Arima station~~.

*:Grocery store. There is one located in Atawa inside Pine. The one in Koshiyama has closed. :( Incidentally there is a 24 hour Okuwa in Kumano, located on route 42.

*:This is the only convenience store in town. You’ll also find that Circle K has a monopoly on the southern part of Mie. You can pay most of your bills here, but be careful with purchasing tickets online and trying to pay for them at Circle K (some online vendors only accept FamilyMart or Lawson’s). There are a couple Lawsons in ~~Shingu~~.

*:This is a good okonomiyaki restaurant located directly across from Atawa Elementary School. The servings are a good size, and the cheese & mochi okonomiyaki is a personal favorite. I’ve had them cook the okonomiyaki for me, and I’ve attempted to cook it myself. Just let them know what you prefer.

*:This place has good donburi and udon. The restaurant is underneath Pine. The people that own the shop seem a little unfriendly, but since the restaurant is so convenient, just ignore them.

*:This place has good donburi and udon. The restaurant is underneath Pine. The people that own the shop seem a little unfriendly, but since the restaurant is so convenient, just ignore them. I like the mochi udon the best.

*:This is the restaurant on top of Pine. It is huge and has free wifi. However it is almost never open at all, and when it is, it closes super early. But, there are some tables you can sit at and use the wifi whether it's open or not. I've sat up there with my laptop a few times just watching the people come, realize it's closed, and leave. *shrugs*

*:This is the restaurant on top of Pine. It is huge and has free wifi. However it is almost never open at all, and when it is, it closes super early. But, there are some tables you can sit at and use the wifi whether it's open or not. I've sat up there on a bench with my laptop a few times just watching the people come, realize it's closed, and leave. *shrugs*

*:This is a pleasant little café nestled between [[Pine]] and Daisan Bank. When the salarymen aren’t filling the place up with smoke, it can be a nice place to relax with a book. The drinks are a bit on the expensive side, but the fruit parfait is amaaaazing.

*:An italian ~~restautant~~ located left of the Circle K and Moriyama complex on route 42 (on the way to Kiho). Very popular. Huge portions. Beware of the eastern-style natto pasta, though.

*:An italian restaurant located left of the Circle K and Moriyama complex on route 42 (on the way to Kiho). Very popular. Huge portions. Beware of the eastern-style natto pasta, though.

*:An udon restaurant on route 42 not far south from Koshiyama station, the one with the old woman on the sign. Their cheese curry udon is soooo cheeeesyyy...! There is another udon restaurant with drive-through a little bit north of this one which is good as well, but I like Koishitei better.