After getting out of Shimoda Floating Aquarium, I was supposed to visit Perry Road and the driver’s roadside-station, “Kaikoku Shimoda Minato”. At the bus stop in front of the aquarium, I checked the time. Still a good time before leaving. I walked toward the small mountain across the road. There was a stone monument saying “Shimoda Park” and a gateway leading to the mountain.
Shimoda Park is also well known as a sightseeing spot, especially in rainy season, for Hydrangea Festival. Telling the truth, this park was not included in a part of my schedule because I couldn’t have made time for it, but I did because I felt I had been seduced by something. I opened a map and found out that the pathway would lead me to the way to Perry Road. Lucky to me !

Walking along the walkway, I saw weird statues placed at equal distances. How many ? I gave up counting after 10.＾＾；

In 5 minutes, I reached to the first rest place with an observation deck. As you can see from the map, this pathway crosses over the mountain to the other side. Can you recognize the aquarium ? Along the walkway were thousands of hydrangeas.

I took lots of pictures on my way at the viewing spots. Every time I did, something attracted my eyes. It was a tiny island, connected by a bridge-like passage. What’s that? Accessible ?
Very curious, I strolled on, finally to the top. Beside the pathway was a guide plate. I was in a vacant lot of Shimoda Castle. Nothing was there. I would not have recognized it if without the plate. Indeed a good site for a castle. You can see both magnificent view of Shimoda Port and the City.

It is said that this castle was the largest in Izu area, rebuilt in 1588 by a warlord of Hojo’s. There were 600 of solders in the castle, but besieged by Toyotomi troops of more than 10 thousand, in 1590, they surrendered to open the castle.

Sauntering down along the walkway, I found a monument, “Monument to the opening of U.S. Japan Diplomatic Relations”. As you know, Shimoda is historically very famous as the first port for opening up the country.
Soon, I found a way out. A road ahead, from right to left, the sea in front. I had to take the left to the Perry Road but the picture of the tiny island didn’t get out of my head. I sat on a bench, took a bottle of lemonade from a vending machine, stood up, to the right. Nothing can get the better of curiosity, right ? To the right !

I wandered along the sidewalk, looking into the crystal-clear sea. School of tiny fish here and independent large fish there. Soon after a corner, I looked up and found an old hut. What was it ?

Next time, I’ll report about the island.

Bye for now !

Shimoda Park
Access from Izukyu Shimoda Station　⇒ 20 minutes on foot
Admission ：Free

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