Shimoda | city

 city, draw only border

Shimoda (下田市, Shimoda-shi) is a city and port in Shizuoka, Japan. The city is located at the southern tip of the Izu peninsula about 60 miles (97 km) southwest of Tokyo. Shimoda location, with the Amagi Mountains to the north, and the warm Kuroshio current to the south give the city a humid, sub-tropical climate.

As of 2009, the city has an estimated population of 25,331 and a population density of 242 persons per square kilometer. The total area is 104.70 square kilometres.

In 1853, American Commodore Perry visited this town with his "Black Ships" (kuramaru). Perri "opened" Japan for foreigners threatening with guns; then, he sealed his success diplomatically, signing the Convention of Kanagawa. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Calbraith_Perry

In 1854, the town was visited by Russian Admiral Putyatin who soigned the Shimoda Treaty (during this visit his fregate "Diana" was badly damaged by tsunami wave, and later sank; the local people helped the Russians to build a new ship, a schooner called "Heda" (later, six copies were built, too, thus beginning the then-modern shipbuilding of Japan). See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevfimy_Putyatin

Both visits are neatly described in the Shimoda Museum.

Shimoda is also famous for its onsens and beaches.

Shimoda's train station, Izukyu Shimoda Station, is served by the Izu Kyūkō Line, which provides service north to Itō, and through service on the Itō Line to Atami Station.

Shimoda is connected to the rest of Japan by Japan National Route 135, Japan National Route 136, and Japan National Route 414 highways.

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 is no longer in operation.