Shimoda, Shizuoka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Shimoda 下田市 |
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| Shimoda's location in Shizuoka, Japan. | |
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| Shimoda's location in Japan. | |
| Location | |
| Country |  Japan |
| Region | Chūbu (Tōkai) |
| Prefecture | Shizuoka |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Area | 104.70 km2 (40.42 sq mi) |
| Population (as of February 2009) | |
| Total | 25,331 |
| Density | 242 /km2 (627 /sq mi) |
| Location | 34°41′N 138°57′E / 34.683°N 138.95°ECoordinates: 34°41′N 138°57′E / 34.683°N 138.95°E |
| Symbols | |
| Tree | Oshima Cherry |
| Flower | Hydrangea |
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| Shimoda Government Office | |
| Mayor | Naoki Ishii |
| Address | 1-5-18, Higashihongō, Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka-ken 415-8501 |
| Phone number | 0558-22-2211 |
| Official website: Shimoda City | |
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.
In the 1850s, Japan was in political crisis over its increasing inabiliy to maintain its national seclusion policy and the issue of what relations, if any, it should have with foreign powers. For a few years, Shimoda was central to this debate.
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[edit] History
Shimoda has been settled since prehistoric times, with numerous Jomon period remains found within city limits. It is mentioned in Nara period documents as the location to which Prince Ōtsu was exiled in 686 after his failed rebellion, and in Heian period documents in reference to its iron ore deposits. During the Sengoku period it was controlled by the Hōjō clan, who built a castle (later destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi). Under the Tokugawa shogunate, Shimoda was tenryō territory directly administered by the Shogun. During the Edo period, Shimoda prospered as a seaport, and was a major port of call for coastal vessels travelling between Osaka and Edo. Umtil 1721, as a security measure, all vessels were obligated to call at Shimoda before proceeding on to Edo.
During the Bakumatsu period, Shimoda 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. Shimoda was also the site of Yoshida Shōin's unsuccessful attempt to board Perry's 'black ships' in 1854.
The first American Consulate in Japan was opened at the temple of Gyokusen-ji under Consul General Townsend Harris. Harris negotiated the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the two countries, which was signed at nearbyRyōsen-ji in 1858.
Japan's relations with Imperial Russia were also negotiated in Shimoda, and in 1855 the Treaty of Shimoda was signed at Chōraku-ji.
A monument at Gyokusen-ji claims 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.[1]
However, in June 1859, with the opening of the port of Yokohama to foreign trade, the port of Shimoda was again closed and the American consulate was relocated to Zenpuku-ji in Edo.
After the Meiji Restoration, Shimoda came under the control of the short-lived Kikuma Domain in 1868. The Mikomotoshima Lighthouse was completed in 1870 by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton. It is currently the oldest functioning lighthouse in Japan and is now a National Historic Monument.
Shimoda Town was formally established in March 1955 through the merger of six towns and villages. In 1958, an All Nippon Airways DC-3 en route from Haneda to Nagoya crashed offshore Shimoda, killing 3 passengers. Shimoda suffered damage from a sizeable earthquake in 1974 and in 1978.
Around March 31, 2010, Shimoda and three municipalities in Kamo District (Kawazu, Matsuzaki, and Minamiizu) will merge.[2]
[edit] Demographics
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.
[edit] Tourism
Apart from its role in the opening of Japan, Shimoda is famous for its hot spring resorts and beaches. Tadadohama, Ohama and Iritahama beaches attract many 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 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.
[edit] Sister cities
- Newport, Rhode Island, United States- - Numata, Gunma Japan
- - Hagi, Yamaguchi Japan
[edit] References
- ^ Statler, Oliver. Shimoda Story. C. E. Tuttle (1971)
- ^ http://www.kokudo.or.jp/new/cities/sub/chubu/22.htm
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shimoda, Shizuoka |
- Shimoda official website — in Japanese
- Shimoda city and great beaches
- Article in the Observer
- Book about the history of Okichi Saito and the black ships
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