Blog更新：伊豆・下田の黒船祭🚢The Black Ship Festival in Izu Shimoda🚢

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【伊豆・下田の黒船祭🚢The Black Ship Festival in Izu Shimoda🚢2026/5/29(金)】

☆★☆ Blogはこちら → https://toyoko-inn-bus.com/blog/20260529

 

[ ↓ English Ver. ↓ ]

 

The Black Ship Festival in Izu Shimoda

May 28, 2026

 

Hello, We are Toyoko Inn Bas🚌

The sun is starting to feel like summer 😎How is everyone doing?

I recently went to Shimoda City in Shizuoka Prefecture⚓

Shimoda is located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula and has long flourished as a key point for maritime transport between eastern and western Japan. This place is also famous as the location where Commodore Perry led his fleet of Black Ships to demand that Japan open its doors to the world during the late Edo period 🚢

This time, I went on a two-day, one-night trip to the Black Ship Festival, which is held every year on the third weekend of May. The Black Ship Festival is a festival commemorating the arrival of the Black Ships and the opening of Japan to the world !

[87th Black Ship Festival]https://www.blackshipfestival.jp/

First, at around 11:00 AM on Saturday, I headed to the monument commemorating the arrival of Perry's fleet, located on the north side of Shimoda Park.

The square was lined with Japanese and American flags🎌

The monument was adorned with wreaths, creating a bright and lively atmosphere 🌸This is the starting point for the parade that will tour the city 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🚶

The flag bearer raised the flags and the parade began 🎵 The bands of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet marched along playing cheerful music, followed by the local mascot Perulin, as well as groups of students and children 🌻

Large crowds lined the streets, waiting for the parade, and the whole town was buzzing with excitement😆

After watching the parade in front of the monument, I took a stroll around the area.

After walking for about five minutes, I arrived at Perry Road. The cobblestone path along the river and the retro streetscape were beautiful, and the view of the willow trees swaying in the wind was refreshing and charming 🍃

I walked along this road to Ryōsenji Temple.

[Ryosenji Temple] https://ryosenji.net/en/index.html

Currently, this temple is designated as a national historical site. It was used as a welcoming hall for Commodore Perry and his entourage upon the arrival of the Black Ships. The temple grounds also house the Black Ships Museum, which features exhibits that clearly explain the history surrounding the arrival of the Black Ships and the opening of Japan to the world 🚢

[MoBs Black Ship Museum] http://www.mobskurofune.com/

The American jasmine was in full bloom on the temple grounds. I was able to enjoy the beautiful purple and white petals and their wonderful fragrance 😍

Flowers were planted everywhere in Shimoda City. It seems Shimoda City is participating in the "Flower City Exchange Liaison Council" and promoting urban development with a flower theme. That's wonderful 🌸

Leaving the temple and heading into town, we arrived at the Civic Hall, the final destination of the parade, where local groups were performing Bon Odori (traditional Japanese dance) and Japanese taiko drumming🥁

I was captivated by the overwhelming power of the drums that resonated deep within my stomach!

During the Black Ship Festival, the town's main street was lined with delicious-looking food stalls offering local specialties and other treats 😋

I ate Shimoda's specialty, golden snapper croquettes, at a food stall 🐟

As I ate my way through the crispy croquette, I discovered pieces of golden snapper inside✨ The tender, flaky snapper was simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, and it paired perfectly with the sweet and smooth potatoes❤

The croquettes are also sold at the souvenir shop at Izukyu Shimoda Station. They're very popular and sell out quickly, so if you see them, be sure to try them 😋

The next morning, before the festival began, I took a walk along the coast of Shimoda 🌊

The sea in the morning was clear and calm, and it felt wonderful ✨

Near the Shimoda Marine Aquarium, located on the south side of Shimoda Park , there is a pedestrian-only promenade , making it a great place for a stroll!

Since there was still some time before the festival events, I took the Shimoda Ropeway , which is right in front of Izukyu Shimoda Station , and headed to the observation deck of Mt.Nesugatayama.

[Shimoda Ropeway] https://ropeway.co.jp/

Upon arriving at the observation deck, I was greeted by a magnificent view overlooking Shimoda Port 😍

A cannon that was actually used in the late Edo period was on display. It seems that this location was used at the time to monitor foreign ships entering Shimoda Port🚢

From the observation deck on the city sideFrom there, we could see just a tiny bit of the top of Mount Fuji 🗻Apparently, it's only visible on clear days, so I was very lucky☀

After enjoying the magnificent scenery, I returned to the city.

I headed to the roadside station "Kaikoku Shimoda Minato." Here you can find restaurants where you can enjoy sushi, seafood bowls, Shimoda burgers, and more, as well as souvenir shops directly operated by the agricultural and fisheries cooperative. 👍

[Roadside Station Kaikoku Shimoda Minato] https://www.kaikokushimodaminato.co.jp/

Next to the roadside station was the boarding area for the "Kurofune Sasuke Hana," a cruise ship that tours Shimoda Port⚓

[Izu Cruise] https://izu-cruise.com/shimoda-port-cruise/

In addition, to coincide with the Black Ship Festival, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweeper "Awaji" was docked at the pier in front of the roadside station and was open to the public for tours of the ship 🌊

On this final day of the festival, the annual tug-of-war competition was held at the Kaikoku Shimoda Minato roadside station! Led by the previous year's champions, the Shimoda Coast Guard team, a diverse group of participants took part, including members of the U.S. Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, local high school students, and employees of local companies💪

In a thrilling and intense battle of back-and-forth, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's minesweeper Awaji team emerged victorious this year! Congratulations🎉

Afterwards, the closing ceremony was held at a venue in the city center, and the Black Ship Festival came to a spectacular close amidst thunderous applause 🥰

In Shimoda City, the Hydrangea Festival is held in June. With approximately 150,000 hydrangeas in full bloom—one of the largest displays in Japan—it's a truly breathtaking sight ✨ Furthermore, Shimoda's coastline boasts numerous beautiful beaches perfect for summer leisure 🏖

Visit Shimoda in early summer for a fun and beautiful experience 👍

[Hydrangea Festival] https://shimoda-city.com/en/events/7?select_month=0&select_area=0&page=1

The Mt. Fuji climbing season is about to begin! 🗻In 2026, the Fujiyoshida and Subashiri trails are scheduled to open on July 1st, while the other trailheads will open on July 10th !

We are now accepting reservations for one-way tour buses from Toyoko Inn Fujikawaguchiko Ohashi to Fujiyoshida 5th Station on the Fuji Subaru Line🚌In 2026, the buses are scheduled to operate on July 1st  and on Saturdays during the Mt.Fuji climbing season. We look forward to welcoming those who are challenging themselves to climb Mt. Fuji this summer😆

☆★☆ Book the Fujiyoshida Route 5th Station bus→ https://tour.toyoko-inn-bus.com/products/list

Our taxi service, [T-TAXI] Currently in operation 🚕=3

For those who want to climb Mt. Fuji on a day other than Saturday! We accept reservations for taxi transfers for Mt. Fuji climbing😆 The one-way fare from Toyoko Inn Fujikawaguchiko Ohashi to Fujiyoshida 5th Station is 20,000 yen (tax and toll road fees included). If you book a round trip, we can also pick you up by taxi to coincide with your descent time👌

For taxi reservations, please feel free to contact us through our inquiry page!

☆★☆ Contact page →  https://toyoko-inn-bus.com/contact-form 

Our Express bus operates between Toyoko INN Fujisan Otsuki-eki, Toyoko INN Fujikawaguchiko Ohashi, Toyoko INN Gotemba Ekimae, and Toyoko INN Fujisan Mishima-Eki =3

[Express bus reservation site : https://reserve.toyoko-inn-bus.com/ ]

 

(Person in charge: MS)

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