Shimoda City

Located on the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, Shimoda is a picturesque port town. In 1854, the American Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry’s black ships entered the harbor to demand that Japan, previously closed off to the outside world, open up to foreign contact and trade. As a result, Shimoda became one of the first ports opened to the United States. The Treaty of Shimoda, which established the detailed provisions of the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity, was signed at Ryosen-ji Temple, which remains a key historic landmark in Shimoda City.
Walking along Perry Road, where Perry and about 300 of his sailors once marched, you can still experience a retro atmosphere and imagine what it must have been like at the end of the Edo period. Shimoda is also closely tied to many other important historical figures: Yoshida Shoin, a thinker from Hagi (Yamaguchi Prefecture) and a driving force of the Meiji Restoration, who attempted to stow away on a Black Ship. These stories give Shimoda a unique place in the narrative of Japan’s opening to the world.
Beyond its historical legacy, Shimoda today is also a beautiful resort town with incredible natural scenery. The city has ten beautiful white sand beaches, perfect for swimming, surfing, and diving. Shimoda is also famous for its hot springs and for having Japan’s largest catch of red snapper.