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City in Chūbu, Japan
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Jake73 at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Shimoda (下田) is a city on the Izu Peninsula in Japan. It is famous as the place where Commodore Matthew Perry of the U.S. Navy arrived with his "black ships" in 1853. This led to the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa, effectively ending Japan's 200-year era of isolation from the outside world.
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Around the bay depart several times every day from the harbour. The 20-minute "Black Ship" cruise on a modern replica of Perry's USS Susquehanna costs about ¥1,400/700 adult/child and departs every half hour.
If you need help in English, it is best to visit Shelley`s English School and Cafe close to the station and along the river. They have free internet access and can help with booking hotels or other travel plans.
下田海中水族館
Prides itself as the world's first aquarium that floats on water. Admission is ¥1700 and the 5000 fish are in many cases unique to the Izu Peninsula. The aquarium also offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins for ¥4500 (reserve in advance). +81 558 22-3567.
ごろさや
Good seafood and a bit more expensive with dinners around ¥3000. Closed Thursdays.
Casual Hawaiian-themed restaurant serving up poke salad, burgers from Izu beef, spam musubis, inventive smoothies and more. It's hard to do this kind of fusion food right, but Naminami delivers in spades. Not to be confused with another unrelated Japanese izakaya in Shimoda also called "Naminami"!
Tucked away in a quiet residential corner of Shimoura, Doug -- named after the owner's dog -- is a gorgeous little bakery pumping out absolutely impeccable French-styled pastries and chewy sourdough breads. Get there early before the good stuff sells out, and prepare to queue.
This hipster pizza joint faces directly out onto the beach and churns out some of the best sourdough pizzas this side of Napoli, washed down with organic local juices or naturally fermented wines. The burrata starter is to die for.
とんかつ錦
A friendly restaurant. The menu includes several different variety of Tonkatsu.
Nice little bar on Perry road. Relaxed atmosphere, soul music, many cocktails, beer starts at ¥500. Food and snacks on an English/Japanese menu. Offers internet to customers.
A bargain at ¥3500 per person (meals not included). It's perfect for anyone who wants to get the ryokan feeling without forking out a fortune. It's in the southern part of town, less than a kilometer from the station.
Pension Sakuraya is on a hill, 4 minutes walk from Shirahama beach. There are Japanese style rooms and Western style rooms, and some of them have a sea view. Price per person per night ¥5,300 or more without meals for off peak season. There are prices for Peak season. Dinner ¥2,500, breakfast ¥600.
ペンション下田
A typical Minshuku in an old home with several guest rooms. Each room has tatami and futon, and some rooms have a private toilet and TV. Japanese language skills may be necessary to book a room.
Includes two meals in the price of ¥7000 per person.
Catering to business travelers.
A 15-minute walk east from the station, along route 135. It offers a choice of Western-style or Japanese-style rooms. Price per person with meals ¥20,000, without meals ¥10,000.
Shimoda is as far south as you can go by train on the Izu Peninsula. The train station is the terminal of the Izukyu Railway, and is officially known as Izukyu-Shimoda (伊豆急下田) station.
Read in the guideAcross the street from the station is Shimoda Tourist Association, where you can get help with orientation. +81 558 22-1531. Central Shimoda is small enough to be explored on foot.
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Izu Oshima · Regional · OIM
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