Perry Road Tells the Story of Shimoda’s Opening as a Port
Perry Road in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, takes its name from the procession in which Commodore Perry and his party, who arrived aboard the Black Ships, made their way to Ryōsen-ji Temple.
Following the stone-paved path along the Hiraname River past buildings made with Izu stone or namako walls and rows of willows reveals both the port-town landscape and the setting of late-Edo diplomacy.
Perry’s Party Marched to Ryōsen-ji
After the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and the United States was concluded in 1854, Shimoda became an open port and Perry’s fleet entered the harbor.
The party proceeded from its landing point to Ryōsen-ji, where it discussed arrangements for Shimoda with Japanese representatives.
The road’s name preserves the memory of this historic procession within the town.
The Treaty of Shimoda Set Rules for the Open Port
In 1854, the Treaty of Shimoda, an annex to the Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and the United States, was concluded at Ryōsen-ji.
It established detailed rules needed in Shimoda after the port opened, including the areas where Americans could travel, rest facilities, and the supply of necessities.
Distinguishing this from the Treaty of Peace and Amity itself, which was not concluded at Ryōsen-ji, clarifies Perry Road’s historical context.
A Diplomatic Route from the Port to the Temple
Perry Road is more than an atmospheric lane: it was a diplomatic route linking the port with the site of negotiations.
By following the direction of the river and keeping Ryōsen-ji’s location in mind, you can imagine the route taken through town by the party after it disembarked from the ships.
| Period and Place | Main Event | Connection to the Road |
|---|---|---|
| 1854, Kanagawa | Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity | Shimoda opens as a port |
| 1854, Shimoda Port | Perry’s fleet enters port | The party lands |
| 1854, Ryōsen-ji | Treaty of Shimoda concluded | Destination of the procession |
| 1855, Chōraku-ji | Japan-Russia Treaty of Peace and Amity | Continuation of diplomatic history |
A Waterfront Landscape Shaped by the Hiraname River and Stone Pavement
Perry Road’s distinctive impression comes from the flow of the Hiraname River and the stone-paved paths continuing along both banks and through the surrounding area.
Look beyond the buildings to the relationship among the water, bridges, willows, and width of the road, and the spatial design of a port town becomes clear.
The View Shifts with the River’s Curves
Along the Hiraname River, the appearance of the buildings changes gradually as the path follows the bends in the waterway.
Looking ahead from a bridge brings the river, stone pavement, and rows of eaves together, creating a depth unlike that of a straight road.
Do not lean out over the water, and on narrow bridges choose a place to stop that leaves room for others to pass.
Observe the Stone Pavement and Willows from the Ground Up
The colors and joints of the stone pavement look different when dry and after rain, while willow branches add a soft outline to the waterfront.
The stone pavement extends for about 500 m in total and helps create the characteristic port-town scenery.
In wet weather, watch for slippery spots and changes in level. Even when looking up at the scenery, first stop in a safe place.
Compare Architecture through Izu Stone and Namako Walls
Buildings using Izu stone and geometrically patterned namako walls remain along the road, conveying Shimoda’s architectural culture.
Rather than grouping everything together as an “old townscape,” distinguish among stone, plaster, and wood to deepen your observations.
The Colors and Textures of Izu Stone
Izu stone quarried on the Izu Peninsula has long been used for building walls, foundations, and other structural elements.
Variations in color and traces of working remain on the stone surfaces, and their contrast becomes especially clear beside wooden latticework and white plaster.
Namako Walls Protect the Joints
A namako wall is finished by attaching flat tiles to the wall surface and building up plaster over the joints between them.
The pattern of raised white joints crossing diagonally is decorative while also helping protect the wall from wind and rain.
Comparing the size of the patterns and the extent of the walls from one building to another reveals different expressions created with the same technique.
See 2 Styles at the Former Sawamura Residence
The Former Sawamura Residence at the end of Perry Road combines namako walls with Izu-stone construction.
Because the building dates from the Taishō period, do not mistake it for a structure surviving from the late-Edo treaty negotiations. Instead, view it as evidence carrying the later port-town landscape forward.
| Architectural Element | Main Material | What to Observe |
|---|---|---|
| Izu-stone wall | Local stone | Color and working marks |
| Namako wall | Tile and plaster | Raised joints |
| Wooden lattice | Wood | Shadows around openings |
| Stone pavement | Stone | Continuity with the road |
Confirm the Setting of Japan-US Negotiations at Ryōsen-ji
The historical meaning of Perry Road becomes concrete when it is connected with Ryōsen-ji, the destination of the procession.
The temple is designated a National Historic Site and preserved as a place that conveys the diplomacy of the late Edo period.
An Early-Edo Temple Became a Reception Venue
Ryōsen-ji was founded in 1635 and became a meeting place for Perry and Japanese representatives in the late Edo period.
The use of the temple hall as a space for diplomatic negotiations also suggests that Shimoda lacked purpose-built facilities immediately after the port opened.
The Main Hall Was Rebuilt after a Fire
Ryōsen-ji’s main hall was rebuilt in 1826 after a fire and features a hipped roof covered with sangawara tiles.
It preserves the traditional form of the building that stood when Perry visited and provides a clue for considering the treaty negotiations as a spatial experience.
Keep the Treaty Names and Signing Locations Distinct
The Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity concluded in Kanagawa, its annex known as the Treaty of Shimoda concluded at Ryōsen-ji, and the Japan-Russia Treaty of Peace and Amity concluded at Chōraku-ji each had a different location and role.
Extending your view to nearby temples reveals how Shimoda became a center of diplomacy with multiple countries over a short period.
Explore the Entertainment District’s Legacy and Port-Town Life
The area around Perry Road retains traces of the port town’s traditional entertainment district.
Imagining the everyday culture of a town where ships, people, and goods came and went adds another layer to the stone-paved scenery beyond its diplomatic history.
The Busy Port Nurtured the Townscape
Shimoda prospered through ship traffic, and inns, commerce, and a culture of hospitality gathered in the riverside town.
The widths of building fronts, latticework, and entrances facing the river offer clues to a town where waterborne transport and overland movement existed side by side.
Show Consideration for Shops and Homes
Shops and homes line the road, making it both a historic landscape and a place where people work and live.
Do not block entrances or bridges to take photographs, do not enter private property, and confirm permission before photographing inside a shop or taking pictures of people.
Plan a Safe Historical Walk
Walking Perry Road is itself a central reason to visit, but considering the sequence linking the port and temple rather than ending with the short street alone will deepen your understanding.
Check the weather, footing, and conditions for using each facility, and give priority to others on roads with traffic and on narrow bridges.
Head from the Port toward Ryōsen-ji
If you begin with the memory of Perry’s landing, the route from the port along the Hiraname River to Ryōsen-ji makes the historical sequence easy to follow.
When arriving from the station, checking the river’s course and the temple’s location on a map before entering the road also reduces the chance of getting lost.
Extend Your View to Chōraku-ji and Shimoda Park
If time and energy allow, connect your walk with Chōraku-ji, where the Japan-Russia Treaty of Peace and Amity was concluded, and other nearby historic places.
Because access conditions during events and facility opening status can change, check the latest guidance before your visit.
| Sequence | Place to Observe | Theme to Read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port and memory of the landing | Arrival of the Black Ships |
| 2 | Hiraname River and stone pavement | Route of the procession |
| 3 | Izu-stone townscape | Port-town architecture |
| 4 | Ryōsen-ji | Treaty of Shimoda |
Summary: Read the Story of the Open Port on Perry Road
Perry Road is the historic route taken by Perry’s party to Ryōsen-ji, while the Hiraname River, stone pavement, Izu stone, and namako walls shape Shimoda’s port-town landscape.
By distinguishing the Japan-US Treaty of Peace and Amity from its annex, the Treaty of Shimoda, and connecting the route with Ryōsen-ji and Chōraku-ji, you can trace on foot the process by which Shimoda became a stage for late-Edo diplomacy.
Check your safety around the waterfront and narrow roads, respect daily life at the shops and homes, and carefully observe both the scenery and historic sites.
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