Shimoda
Discover Shimoda
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. This city of 21,000 people (2019) has some of Japan's best surfing beaches and has consequently become an emerging hipster destination, with a few crafty bars and restaurants popping up.
What to Experience in Shimoda
Famous Beaches
Taste of Shimoda...
Seafood is the specialty of Shimoda, and most restaurants serve locally caught fish. Recommendations include: Nightlife isn't the main reason why anyone would visit Shimoda, but the town isn't completely dry. The hot springs in this area make Shimoda an onsen town. Many of the hotels in the area have in-house bathing facilities, and there is even a small pool outside the railway station where you can dip your feet. Outside Shimoda there are some well-known onsen:
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsShimoda 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. Odoriko (踊り子) trains make multiple daily runs from Tokyo station via the JR Tokaido Main Line. A one-way trip will generally take 2 hr 45 min at a cost of ¥5890. Holders of the national Japan Rail Pass will have to pay ¥2070 each way to travel over the Izu Kyuko Line, but if you have a JR East Rail Pass, the entire journey is fully covered. Some Odoriko trains also leave Tokyo from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. The name of these trains may have different variants; the Saphir Odoriko (サフィール踊り子), for example, has wider windows and makes fewer stops. Local trains take slightly longer, with at least one change of trains required at Atami or Ito, but the cost is much cheaper (¥3780). Across the street from the station is Shimoda Tourist Association, where you can get help with orientation. ☏ +81 558 22-1531....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Across 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. To reach the beaches and some of the sights it's more comfortable to take a bus. Platforms are outside the railway station. Seafood is the specialty of Shimoda, and most restaurants serve locally caught fish. Recommendations include: Nightlife isn't the main reason why anyone would visit Shimoda, but the town isn't completely dry. The hot springs in this area make Shimoda an onsen town. Many of the hotels in the area have in-house bathing facilities, and there is even a small pool outside the railway station where you can dip your feet. Outside Shimoda there are some well-known onsen:
Where to Stay
The hot springs in this area make Shimoda an onsen town. Many of the hotels in the area have in-house bathing facilities, and there is even a small pool outside the railway station where you can dip your feet. Outside Shimoda there are some well-known onsen:
Money & Budget
Seafood is the specialty of Shimoda, and most restaurants serve locally caught fish. Recommendations include: Nightlife isn't the main reason why anyone would visit Shimoda, but the town isn't completely dry. The hot springs in this area make Shimoda an onsen town. Many of the hotels in the area have in-house bathing facilities, and there is even a small pool outside the railway station where you can dip your feet. Outside Shimoda there are some well-known onsen:
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Shimoda
Winter of Southern Izu, Shirohama Shrine
gray and black hiking backpack on rocky shore during daytime
a black and white photo of a person with a backpack
Waves crash on a rocky beach under a clear sky.
Isolinear Chips
Winter of Southern Izu, Shirohama Shrine
gray and black hiking backpack on rocky shore during daytime
a black and white photo of a person with a backpack
Waves crash on a rocky beach under a clear sky.
Isolinear Chips
Winter of Southern Izu, Shirohama Shrine
gray and black hiking backpack on rocky shore during daytime
a black and white photo of a person with a backpack