Shimoda Black Ship Festival

Overview

The Kurofune Matsuri (Black Ship Festival) is an annual three-day festival held in Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, typically from the third Friday of May through the following Sunday. The festival commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Amity in 1854, which opened Shimoda as a port of call, and aims to honor the achievements of those who contributed to the port's opening while promoting world peace and international friendship. The event is organized by the Shimoda City Tourism Association and the Kurofune Matsuri Executive Committee, featuring various ceremonies, parades, and performances throughout the city.

The name Kurofunesai derives from the term kurofune (black ships), referring to the squadron of American warships commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry that arrived in Japan in 1853. The festival is more than a local tourist attraction; it has become an established international event symbolizing Japan-U.S. Relations, drawing visitors from across Japan and abroad. The core events include a reenactment of the treaty signing at Ryosenji Temple, memorial services at Gyokusenji Temple, and a grand parade through downtown Shimoda.

History and Origins

The origins of the Kurofune Matsuri date back to 1934, the 80th anniversary of the opening of Shimoda Port. At that time, the town of Shimoda was focusing on revitalization through the fishing and tourism industries. Inspired by the popularity of the Tokyo Ondo folk song and the success of the Minato no Matsuri (Port Festival) held in Kobe the previous year, local leaders proposed a new festival centered on the black ships . The first Kurofune Matsuri was held from April 20 to May 3, 1934, a two-week-long event on an unprecedented scale. Distinguished guests included U.S. Ambassador to Japan Joseph Grew and his wife, as well as Admiral Yoshikazu Nomura, who arrived at Shimoda Port aboard the destroyer Shimakaze . The program centered on a memorial service for pioneers; it also featured a lantern parade, an exhibition, daily fireworks, a pleasure boat outfitted to resemble a black ship cruising the harbor, and the debut of the Kurofune Ondo song .

The success of the first edition established the Kurofune Matsuri as a regular international tourist event. However, the outbreak of the Pacific War forced its suspension for six years, from 1941 to 1946 . When the festival was revived in 1947 as the eighth edition, it was held under strict constraints imposed by the Allied Occupation, including a ban on flying the Japanese national flag. The following year, the ban was lifted, allowing the Japanese flag to be displayed once more . For two years after the war, in 1950 and 1951, the festival was temporarily held in Yokosuka City. In 1953, the 14th edition coincided with the 100th anniversary of Japan's opening, and a monument celebrating the nation's opening was built in Shimoda Park and unveiled .

In 1958, the 19th edition saw the proclamation of a sister city affiliation between Shimoda and Newport, Rhode Island, Commodore Perry's hometown . In 1984, on the 130th anniversary of the treaty, the city of Newport launched its own Kurofune Matsuri event, to which Shimoda dispatched a goodwill delegation. The festival's format evolved over the decades. In 1967, the 28th edition introduced a dramatized reenactment of the Treaty of Shimoda signing at Ryosenji Temple .

The festival has also experienced interruptions due to natural disasters and public health crises. The 35th edition in 1974 was canceled due to the Izu-hanto-oki earthquake. The 72nd edition planned for 2011 was canceled in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, with a charity event held in its place . The 2020 and 2021 editions were canceled or reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 83rd edition in 2022 marked a scaled-down return, and the 84th edition in 2023 restored the standard three-day schedule .

Highlights

Wreath-Laying Ceremonies at the Perry Landing Monument and the Opening Monument Flower wreaths are presented at the Perry Landing Monument near the mouth of the Inouzawa River and at the Opening Monument inside Shimoda Park. These monuments were erected in 1953, the centennial of Japan's opening to the world, and the ceremony stands apart from the festival's more festive elements. Participants observe in solemn silence, honoring the historical significance of the site.

Reenactment of the Treaty of Shimoda Signing at Ryosenji Temple The grounds of Ryosenji Temple, the actual site where the 13-article appendix to the Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in 1854, host a comedic dramatization of the event. The temple's historical authenticity lends a powerful sense of immediacy to the performance. The audience laughs heartily while gaining insight into this crucial moment in U.S.-Japan diplomacy.

Official Parade The main parade marches through downtown Shimoda, featuring music bands from the U.S. Military and Japan Self-Defense Forces, drill teams from American schools, and local high school and amateur brass bands. Open-top cars carrying dignitaries such as the U.S. Ambassador, the governor of Shizuoka Prefecture, and the mayor of Shimoda join the procession. The streets are packed with spectators as the Stars and Stripes and the Hinomaru flutter together, creating a vivid tableau of international goodwill.

Memorial Service for the Crew of the Black Ships On the first day of the festival, a ceremony led by the U.S. Navy is held at Gyokusenji Temple in the Kakisaki district. This temple housed the first U.S. Consulate in Japan and contains the graves of five crew members from Perry's squadron. Under curling incense smoke, Japanese and American participants pay their respects together, offering a moment of shared prayer for peace.

Offshore Fireworks Display On the evening of the first day, fireworks are launched over Shimoda Port. The colorful bursts reflected on the water and the silhouette of the black ships create a mesmerizing nighttime spectacle. Viewing points along the port promenade and in neighboring parks are open to the public free of charge, although crowds are heavy, requiring an early arrival for a good spot.

Sunset Concert On the evening of the second day, a concert is performed by the military bands of the U.S. And Japanese forces at the Shimoda Shimin Bunka Kaikan main hall. Admission is free, and the quality of the brass band music is professional. The sounds of friendship echoing through the port town at dusk add a brilliant crescendo to the festival.

Kaikokushi (Opening Fair) A pedestrian zone and a vendors square are set up in the downtown shopping district, featuring street performances and live music. Mascot characters from across the country parade alongside locals and visitors dressed as samurai, town maidens, and military personnel, creating a lively, participatory atmosphere. Stalls offer local seafood and regional cuisine, blending tourists and residents into a single festive crowd.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Generally held from the third Friday of May through the following Sunday. Check the official website for the latest schedule and confirmation of the event status.
• Venue: Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Main locations include Shimoda Park, the Shimoda Shimin Bunka Kaikan, Ryosenji Temple, Gyokusenji Temple, the Shimoda Port area, and the downtown shopping district.
• Access:
  • By rail: Take the Izu Kyuko Line to Izukyu-Shimoda Station. From Tokyo, the limited express Odoriko or Saphir Odoriko takes approximately two and a half hours .
  • By car: From the Tomei Expressway via Atsugi Interchange or Numazu Interchange, then via the Izu Skyline; or from the Shin-Tomei Expressway via Nagaizumi-Numazu Interchange, then via the Izu Jukando. Traffic restrictions are enforced in the city center during the festival.
  • By highway bus: From Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit, board a Tokai Bus or JR Bus Kanto service bound for Izukyu-Shimoda Station (approximately three hours).
• Admission: Viewing the parade from the streets or watching the fireworks from the park is free of charge. Paid reserved seating may be available in certain areas, but fees vary by year, so check official announcements. The Sunset Concert is free but may require advance registration in some years. The treaty reenactment is generally free to watch.
• Parking: Temporary parking lots are available within the city, but spaces are limited. The use of public transportation is strongly recommended. Traffic restrictions are in place in the central area during the festival, making it difficult to enter some districts by private car.
• Inquiries: The Shimoda City Tourism Exchange Division (Kurofune Matsuri Executive Committee). Please check the official website for the current contact number.

Surrounding Area

Shimoda City is located at the southeastern tip of the Izu Peninsula, a tourist destination known for its beautiful rias coastline and mild climate. Shimoda Park, the festival's hub, sits on a hill overlooking the port, offering panoramic views of the waters where Perry's fleet once anchored. The park houses the Opening Monument, the Shimoda Shimin Bunka Kaikan cultural hall, and the Shimoda Aquarium, which was built after World War II.

The city contains numerous historical sites related to Perry's arrival. Gyokusenji Temple served as the U.S. Consulate from 1856, and its grounds still feature the monument to Consul General Townsend Harris and the graves of five sailors from Perry's squadron. Ryosenji Temple, where the treaty appendix was signed, retains its period main hall and garden. These temples often open their treasures for special displays during the festival.

Shimoda is also renowned for its local cuisine and hot springs. The port offers fresh catches of Ise lobster, abalone, and golden-eye snapper, which are served at festival stalls and neighboring restaurants. The city is dotted with hot-spring inns, particularly along the Perry Road, an atmospheric cobblestone lane. Visitors can combine the festival with leisurely exploration of Shimoda's natural beauty and history.

Related Information

• Official website:
• Sister city affiliation: Shimoda has been a sister city with Newport, Rhode Island (Commodore Perry's birthplace) since 1958. A time capsule was buried in 2008 to mark the 50th anniversary of the affiliation, to be opened in 2058 for the 100th anniversary .
• Perurin: In 2015, Shimoda introduced Perurin as its official PR mascot character. The character's design is based on Commodore Perry and the black ships, and it appears at the parade and other festival events .
• Kurofune Ondo: A song created for the first Kurofune Matsuri by lyricist Saito Yaji and composer Nakayama Shinpei. It was revived in 2009 for the 70th edition after a period of disuse .
• Perry Road: A roughly 300-meter cobblestone lane lined with souvenir shops and restaurants. Candle-cafe events are sometimes held here during the festival .
• Cancellations: The Kurofune Matsuri has been canceled due to the 1974 Izu-hanto-oki earthquake, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The decision to hold or cancel the festival is made each year based on the current social situation and weather conditions.
• Crowdfunding: Starting with the 85th edition in 2024, crowdfunding has been tried as a means of raising funds. In 2025 (the 86th edition), approximately 1.01 million yen was raised against a target of 1 million yen . This method is becoming established as a way to secure operational funds for the future.

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