Photo by Sho: Enoshima
Shizuoka · Private tour

Shimoda and the black ships of 1854

At the southern end of the Izu Peninsula, Shimoda is where Japan's opening to the West began. Up to six people, on foot and by ropeway.

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LengthsHalf day · Full day · Two days
GroupPrivate, up to 6 guests
LanguageEnglish (Japanese on request)
Meeting pointIzukyu-Shimoda Station, outside the ticket gates.
Overview

Where the treaty was signed

Commodore Perry's fleet came to Shimoda in 1854. Perry walked to Ryosen-ji with about 300 men to sign the Shimoda treaty. The lane they marched along is now called Perry Road, around 500 metres of stone paving lined with traditional namako walls.

Five minutes from the station, Hofuku-ji keeps a photo of Okichi taken in 1857, when she was 19. It also keeps the room where, in 1863, Katsu Kaishu asked the lord Yamauchi Yodo to pardon Sakamoto Ryoma.

Shimoda lands more kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) than any other port in Japan, over 1,000 tonnes a year. That settles lunch.

Highlights

  • Walk Perry Road, the lane Perry's men marched along in 1854
  • Stand in the 1863 audience room at Hofuku-ji
  • Ride the ropeway up Mt Nesugata, a minute's walk from the station
  • Eat kinmedai, the fish Shimoda lands more of than anywhere else in Japan
  • See more than 3,000 items on Japan's opening at the MoBS Black Ship Museum
Routes

Pick the length that suits your day

Half day (3 to 4 hours)

Up the mountain first, then the old town and lunch.

  1. Shimoda Ropewayup Mt Nesugata, with cars every 15 minutes.
  2. Hofuku-jiOkichi's story and the 1863 room.
  3. Kinmedai lunchas sashimi, simmered, or even in a burger.
  4. Perry Road and Ryosen-jiwith the MoBS Black Ship Museum in the temple grounds.

Full day (7 to 8 hours)

The half day, plus two more museums on Japan's opening.

  1. Everything on the half day.
  2. Shimoda Kaikoku Museumopen every day, 9 am to 5 pm.
  3. Gyokusen-ji and the Harris Museumbelongings of Consul General Harris and of Yoshida Shoin, and one of Japan's oldest daguerreotypes.

Two days

Shimoda fits into one day, so for two days I pair it with Atami.

  1. Day 1the Atami full day.
  2. Day 2the Odoriko limited express from Atami to Izukyu-Shimoda, about 75 minutes, for the Shimoda full day.
Details

Before you book

Included

  • Sho as your private guide for the length you book, in English (or Japanese, if you prefer)
  • A route planned for your group before the day
  • Food stops checked ahead for any allergies you tell me about

Not included

  • Train fares
  • Shimoda Ropeway (1,500 yen return)
  • Museum entry: Tojin Okichi museum (400 yen), Shimoda Kaikoku Museum (1,200 yen), Harris Museum (500 yen)
  • Food and drinks

Good to know

  • The ropeway stops in bad weather. Rain plan: the Okichi museum, the MoBS Black Ship Museum, the Shimoda Kaikoku Museum and the Harris Museum are all indoor displays.
  • The ropeway runs from 8:45 am. It stops at 5 pm from 16 March to 15 October and at 4:45 pm the rest of the year.
  • I look after the day itself. Train tickets, hotels and any entry tickets you want to book ahead are yours to arrange. I'll tell you exactly where and when to meet me.
  • We get around by train, bus and on foot, the same way people here do. I don't drive guests, and I'll show you how the ticket machines work as we go.
Your guide

I'm Sho, and I'll be your guide

Sho, your guide

In January 2011, in my last year of junior high, I left Japan for Brisbane. I stayed until I'd finished university in March 2020. That's nine years of Australian school, uni and part-time jobs.

I speak English and Japanese without any trouble, and I don't get shy around people from other cultures. What I care about most on the day is simple: that you're having a good time.

I'm based in Yokohama. I've been photographing planes since 2009. Since moving back to Japan in 2020, photography has taken me to airports and towns all over the country. Every area I guide is somewhere I've been myself.

I have a serious kiwi fruit allergy (anaphylaxis) and react to some fruit in the rose family. So I check our food stops with the restaurants before the day. If there's anything you can't eat, tell me when you first get in touch.

  • Nine years in Brisbane, from junior high to the end of university
  • Comfortable in English and Japanese
  • Has been to every area on this site
  • Checks food stops ahead of the day
Pricing

Quotes in six currencies

Free quote

Quotes are provided in USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP or EUR, so you can skip the hassle of currency conversion. Other currencies are quoted in USD. Each quote covers your whole group of up to six people. When you send an enquiry, please include your preferred dates and the kinds of experiences you'd like.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Why does Shimoda matter?

Japan's opening to the West began here. Perry's fleet arrived in 1854, the Shimoda treaty was signed at Ryosen-ji, and Yoshida Shoin tried to board the black ships from near Benten Island.

What is kinmedai?

It's the fish Shimoda is known for. About 80% of the fish landed here is kinmedai, and you'll find it in more than 30 different dishes around town.

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Heading to the tip of Izu

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More places I can take you

AsakusaShibuyaShinjukuYokohamaKamakura, Shonan & EnoshimaHakoneMt Fuji areaAtamiOsakaKyotoKanazawaFukuoka, Dazaifu & YufuinHaneda AirportKansai's three airportsSapporo

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