Published October 20, 2026 at 8:01 PM JST

Every spring the port town of Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula honors Commodore Perry's 1854 arrival with parades, a treaty reenactment, harbor fireworks and warm Japan-US goodwill.

Quick answer: The Shimoda Black Ship Festival, or Kurofune Matsuri, is held in Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, typically for three days in mid-May, and organizers set the exact days each year. It celebrates the 1854 arrival of Commodore Perry's fleet and the friendship that grew between Japan and the United States, with a parade, a treaty-signing reenactment, concerts, an open-air market and harbor fireworks. It has been held since 1934, and the 2026 festival was its 87th edition.

A Port Town Celebrating Friendship

Shimoda sits at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, and its harbor is one of the places where modern Japan's relationship with the outside world began. Each May, the town turns that history into a festival that is cheerful, musical and welcoming. Streets are decorated, people stroll in kimono and historical costume, and the old port feels like a stage for a story that many visitors already know in outline: the arrival of the Black Ships.

The name Kurofune Matsuri means Black Ship Festival. The black ships were the dark-hulled vessels of Commodore Matthew Perry's fleet, which came to Japan in the 1850s. The city's festival pages describe the event as a celebration of friendship between Japan and the United States and a chance for the town to share its history with visitors from around the world.

The festival covers much of the town center. Ceremonies are held at temples and parks, music fills the plazas, and an open market sets up along the shopping streets and on Perry Road. Because venues are all within a short distance of Izukyu-Shimoda Station, it is an easy festival to explore on foot over a long weekend.

How the Festival Began

Shimoda's city history documents explain that the first festival was held in 1934 to mark the 80th anniversary of the 1854 opening of the port. Its roots lie partly in a magazine called Kurofune, launched in 1924, which helped make Shimoda known across Japan. The festival was proposed in 1933 as a way to bring energy and visitors to the town.

The festival paused from 1941 to 1946 because of the difficult international situation of those years, and then resumed. This is why the count of editions is lower than the number of years since 1934. In 2026, the town's public bulletin described the event as the 87th festival, and noted that it fell on the 60th anniversary of Shimoda's sister-city ties with Numata in Gunma Prefecture.

Some traditions of the festival go back to its earliest years. The city documents say the official parade has been part of the event since the first festival, and that a Black Ship Dance by the Shimoda Women's Association also dates to 1934. The harbor fireworks have likewise been held since the first year, and the city describes them as both a gentle remembrance and a celebration of Japan-US exchange.

Perry, the Treaty and the Temples

The story behind the festival begins in 1854. After Perry's fleet returned to Japan, the Convention of Kanagawa opened Shimoda as a port for foreign ships. Perry's crew landed at a spot below what is now Shimoda Park, and a monument marks the area. Later that year, in May, a further agreement known as the Shimoda Treaty was concluded at Ryosenji Temple.

Ryosenji, a Nichiren temple that the city's history document says was founded in 1635, is a nationally designated historic site and has a museum with Perry-related items. The temple grounds are where the Shimoda Treaty is reenacted during the festival. According to the city's history document, the reenactment has been led by the temple head and others since 1967, and the festival version is staged with a light and playful touch.

Gyokusenji, a Soto-sect temple, has its own role. It was designated a rest area for Americans under the Shimoda Treaty, and Townsend Harris, the first US Consul General, opened Japan's first US consulate there in 1856. The temple holds the graves of American sailors, and a memorial service is held there at the start of the festival, which is described in the next section.

The Three Days of the Festival

The city says the festival is held for three days starting from the third Friday of May. The program is announced each year, and the 2026 schedule published by the city can serve as a typical example. The first day, a Friday, begins with a flower-laying ceremony at the Perry landing memorial, followed by a US Navy 7th Fleet band concert and a memorial service at Gyokusenji in front of the graves. In the evening, the opening market begins and fireworks light up Shimoda Harbor.

On the second day, a Saturday, the commemorative ceremony takes place at Shimoda Park, where Japanese and US representatives pledge friendship. The 2026 program also listed a flyover by Air Self-Defense Force aircraft, the official parade through the main streets, the treaty reenactment at Ryosenji, a kimono fashion show, local dance and music performances, and an evening concert called the Black Ship Sunset Concert.

On the third day, a Sunday, the mood is relaxed. The 2026 schedule included a community concert, a parade of local groups, a second treaty reenactment, a Japan-US friendship tug-of-war near the roadside station, and a closing ceremony. Related events around the festival include an art exhibition and ship tours when Self-Defense Force vessels are opened to the public, according to the city.

Music, Parades and Open-Air Fun

Music is a big part of the festival's charm. The US Navy 7th Fleet band performs in several places, and local groups add traditional dances, taiko drumming and festival music. The Black Ship Dance, performed by local residents, is a distinctive local piece that has been part of the festival for decades.

The parades bring the town to life. Participants include residents, performers and US personnel, and the official parade winds through the old town streets for about an hour, according to the city's history document. Many visitors line the streets and enjoy the cheerful mix of marching bands, costumes and community groups.

The open market, called Kaikoku-ichi or the opening-the-country market, fills shopping streets with stalls during the festival. It is a good place to browse local products and snacks. Kimono rental booths have also been mentioned in an English-language festival guide as a way for visitors to join the fun, although availability and prices change from year to year.

Planning Your Visit

Shimoda is reached by the Izukyu line to Izukyu-Shimoda Station, and the Japan National Tourism Organization notes that Odoriko limited express trains connect Shimoda directly with Tokyo. Another route is the Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami and a transfer to the Odoriko or a local Izukyu train. Most festival venues are within walking distance of the station.

Plan ahead for the weekend. Lodging in a small port town can fill up in advance during a major festival, and the harbor fireworks and Saturday events draw large crowds. The city notes that outdoor events can be changed in case of rain. In the 2026 program, many Saturday outdoor events would be canceled in bad weather, and the fireworks could be postponed to the following day, so check the latest announcement from the organizers.

Be courteous around the temples. The memorial service at Gyokusenji is a solemn and respectful moment, and visitors are welcome to observe quietly. Wear comfortable shoes for the hills and streets, bring a light jacket for evenings by the sea, and follow the directions of the security staff and street guides.

Food and Area Highlights

Perry Road, the street that leads to Ryosenji, is named for the route taken by Perry's sailors in 1854. The Japan National Tourism Organization describes it as lined with restaurants, bars, cafes and shops, and the city notes that its buildings range from the late Edo period to the early twentieth century. It is a pleasant place to rest between events.

Beyond the festival, Shimoda has beaches popular for swimming and surfing, and the Shimoda Ropeway climbs Mount Nesugata for views of the town and the Pacific, according to the national tourism organization. Hot springs, an aquarium and Shimoda Park are also nearby, so the festival can easily be combined with a longer stay on the Izu Peninsula.

The festival is not a religious rite, so it is not designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Its significance is civic and cultural: a community that has hosted a friendly international celebration for more than ninety years.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Shimoda Black Ship Festival held?

It is typically held for three days in mid-May, starting on the third Friday of the month, according to the city. In 2026 it ran from May 15 to 17. The organizers set the exact days each year, so check the official festival site or the city tourism pages.

What can visitors see at the festival?

Typical events include a memorial service at Gyokusenji, harbor fireworks, an official parade, a reenactment of the Shimoda Treaty signing at Ryosenji, US Navy band concerts, an open-air market and a Japan-US tug-of-war. Programs differ slightly each year.

How do I get to Shimoda?

Take an Odoriko limited express train from Tokyo directly to Izukyu-Shimoda Station, or ride the Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami and change to the Odoriko or a local Izukyu train. Most festival venues are within walking distance of the station.

Further reading: the Shimoda city history document on the Black Ship Festival, the Shimoda city bulletin with the 2026 festival program and the Japan National Tourism Organization page on Shimoda.

Keep exploring: Hamamatsu Matsuri: Kites Over the Dunes, Lantern-Lit Floats by Night; Kamakura Matsuri: Shizuka's Dance, Samurai Archery and a Spring Parade; Nikko Toshogu Spring Grand Festival: Mounted Archers and a Samurai March; Nagoya Festival: Three Heroes, Nine Floats and a Golden Autumn Weekend.