Townsend Harris and Shimoda

At the end of March we took a trip with Grandma to the Izu Penninsula where there are many hot springs. There has always been a town that I have wanted to visit here in Japan. The town is Shimoda. This is the site of the first American Embassy set up by Townsend Harris in 1854 following the expedition of Commodore Perry and his Black Ships.

We first visited Gyokusenji. This was a temple that the samurai of Shimoda allowed Harris to use while he stayed in Japan. On the site is a very large cemetery where there are graves of sailors that died on the trip to Japan.

After seeing Gyokusenji we rushed to the temple dedicated to Okichi, the geisha assigned to spy on Townsend Harris for the samurai. Her story is a very sad one. Before Harris had arrived she had a person she loved. After he left she was scorned by others because she had been with the "barbarian" Harris.

Our hotel was just wonderful. If the weather had been better it would have been even better. Unfortunately, we had rain for the whole time we were there. Hopefully next time we visit, the weather will be better. Mom really enjoyed the hot springs. The meal was full of fish caught just off the coast of Shimoda. Simply the best!

We could have also taken a trip on the Susquehanna, a replica of the steamers that visited Japan back in the mid 1800's. Again, the rain really prevented this. On the way back, Anna told us that next time we should go to Shimoda when the weather is better.