Famed as the site where Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships” landed in 1854, Shimoda is an attractive coastal city on the Izu Peninsula. Its role in opening up Japan to foreign trade is celebrated at monuments and museums across the city, which is also home to the world’s first floating aquarium.
Things to do in Shimoda
Learn about the arrival of Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships” at the Ryosenji Temple where the Shimoda Treaty was signed in 1854. Discover how this led to the end of Japan’s 200-year isolation from the world, then jump aboard a sightseeing cruise from Shimoda Port in a replica boat.
A short stroll from the Ryosenji Temple takes you to Perry Street, a charismatic strip of traditional houses occupied by cafes and boutiques. It leads to the forested hills of Shimoda Park where hydrangeas bloom and a monument commemorates Perry’s landing.
Relax on the shores of Shirahama, an 800-metre-long stretch of sand that’s one of the Izu Peninsula’s most popular beaches. Rent a lounger to soak up the sun, learn to surf or visit the attractive Shinto shrine of Shirahama Jinja, which overlooks the coast.
Celebrated as the world’s first aquarium to float on water, the Shimoda Aquarium is situated within a submarine-like building in Wakanoura Bay. Its enormous tank is filled with a vast array fish from the Izu Peninsula waters, as well as sea otters that are regularly fed during live demonstrations.
Getting around Shimoda
Shimoda is connected to Tokyo by regular trains from the Izukyu-Shimoda station, with the journey taking just under three hours. Buses travel to destinations across the Izu Peninsula, while central Shimoda is compact enough to explore on foot.