Shimoda, Shizuoka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Shimoda**
**下田市**
Shimoda's location in Shizuoka, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu (Tōkai)
Prefecture	Shizuoka
Physical characteristics
Area	104.70 km² (40.42 sq mi)
Population (as of May 2008)
Total	25,541
Density	244 /km² (632 /sq mi)
Location	34°41′N, 138°57′E
Symbols
Tree	Oshima Cherry
Flower	Hydrangea
Flag
Shimoda Government Office
Mayor	Naoki Ishii
Address	〒415-8501 1-5-18, Higashihongō, Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka-ken
Phone number	0558-22-2211
Official website: Shimoda City

Downtown Shimoda

Shimoda (下田市, Shimoda-city^?) is a city and port in Shizuoka, Japan, which played an important part in the opening of Japan to the outside world in the 1850s. The city is located at the southern tip of the Izu peninsula about 60 miles southwest of Tokyo.

1 History
2 Demographics
3 Tourism
4 Transportation
5 Sister cities
6 External links

[edit] History

In the 1850s, Japan was in political crisis over the issue of what relations, if any, it should have with foreign powers. For a few years, Shimoda was central to this debate.

Bust of Matthew Perry in Shimoda.

The port was opened to American trade under the conditions of the Convention of Kanagawa, negotiated by Commodore Matthew Perry and signed on March 31, 1854. The first American Consulate in Japan was opened at Gyokusen-ji under Consul General Townsend Harris. Harris negotiated the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the two countries, which was signed at Ryōsen-ji in 1858.

Japan's relations with Russia were also negotiated in Shimoda, and in 1855 the Treaty of Shimoda was signed at Chōraku-ji.

Shimoda was also the site of Yoshida Shōin's unsuccessful attempt to board Perry's 'black ships' in 1854.

Monuments at Gyokusen-ji claim that it is "the spot where the first cow in Japan was slaughtered for human consumption", and where the habit of humans drinking cow's milk started in Japan.

[edit] Demographics

As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 25,541 and a population density of 244 persons per square kilometer. The total area is 104.70 square kilometres.

[edit] Tourism

Apart from its role in the opening of Japan, Shimoda is famous for its hot springs and beaches. Tadadohama, Ohama and Iritahama beaches attract a lot of tourists in summer and are popular surfing spots year round, and Iritahama has been voted most beautiful Japanese beach a number of years.

Shimoda is also a setting for a much of Yasunari Kawabata's famous short story The Dancing Girl of Izu.

[edit] Transportation

Shimoda's train station, Izukyu Shimoda Station, is served by the Izu Kyuko Railway, which provides service north to Itō, and through service on the Ito Line to Atami Station. Ferry service is available to Niijima and Shikinejima in the Izu Islands. There used to be a ferry service from Shimoda to Shimizu, Shizuoka, or vice versa; however, it was shut down a couple of years ago.