Festivals
Black Ship Festival Shimoda
Shimoda's Black Ship festival, Kurofune Matsuri, first took place in 1934. It commemorates those from Japan and the US who worked to open Shimoda port and it celebrates international goodwill.
The festival begins with a graveside service to remember the crew members of Commodore Perry's expedition who lost their lives. This takes place at Gyokusenji Temple, the site of the first US Consulate.
XOver a period of three days, there are fireworks, a wreath-laying service, concerts, parades, a sketch reenacting the signing of the Treaty of Shimoda, and, of course, lots of food.
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Perry 175 committee members, Hiroko Yamaguchi, John Bradford and Annette Bradford attended the 87th Black Ship Festival on May 15th-17th, 2026.
They talked to members of the council from Shimoda and its sister city, Newport, to lay the foundations for future Perry 175 events.
