Shimoda (下田) is a pleasant coastal city in the south of the Izu Peninsula. It has historical importance as the landing place of several of Commodore Perry's "black ships" in 1854, an event which led to the end of Japan's era of isolation and the start of diplomatic relations between the US and Japan. Shimoda is a popular spot for tourists who want to do marine sports, go to beaches and hot springs.
Getting there and around
How to get to Shimoda
Shimoda is directly connected to Tokyo by Odoriko limited express trains (around 2.5 hours, 6180 yen one way, hourly departures). Alternatively, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Atami and transfer to the limited express Odoriko or a local train (requires a transfer at Ito to the Izukyu Railway) and get off at Izukyu-Shimoda Station, the terminal station of the Izukyu Railway. The trip takes about 2 hours and costs around 7000 yen one way if using the limited express, or about 2.5 hours, 6000 yen one way if using local trains.
The Japan Rail Pass fully covers the Tokaido Shinkansen and trains as far as Ito; however, those traveling beyond Ito will need to pay a supplement fee. On the other hand, the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass fully cover the trains all the way to Izukyu Shimoda, but they do not cover the Tokaido Shinkansen.
How to get around Shimoda
Most of the sites are within a 20-30 minute walk of Izukyu-Shimoda Station. Alternatively, buses connect most of the sites to the station. For those planning to travel around the southern Izu Peninsula, Tokai Bus offers several discount passes that can make visiting multiple sites in the region more convenient and economical.
How to get to and around the Izu Peninsula
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Izu Peninsula
Top rated on the Izu Peninsula
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Pearl Star Hotel ATAMIFacing the beachfront, Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI offers 5-star accommodation in Atami and features a fitness centre, terrace and restaurant. The property is set 600 metres from Atami Sun Beach, 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station and 30 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. The hotel has a sauna, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The units come with a fridge, minibar, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. All rooms are equipped with a coffee machine and a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, while some rooms come with a kitchen equipped with a microwave. At the hotel each room has bed linen and towels. Guests at Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath. Guests can make use of the business centre or relax in the bar. With staff speaking English, Japanese and Chinese, information is available at the reception. Mount Daruma is 44 km from Pearl Star Hotel ATAMI, while Hakone Checkpoint is 24 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Watei KazekomichiFeaturing mountain views, Watei Kazekomichi provides accommodation with balcony, around 2.1 km from Atami Sun Beach. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the open-air bath, or enjoy sea views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a wardrobe, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a hot tub. The ryokan offers certain units with garden views, and each unit is equipped with a kettle. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the ryokan. Guests can also relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 28 km from Watei Kazekomichi, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 33 km away.View on Booking.com -
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SOKI ATAMISOKI ATAMI features a sauna and a hot spring bath, as well as air-conditioned accommodation in Atami, 1.7 km from Atami Sun Beach. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. There is a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine, and free private parking is available. At the ryokan, all units include a balcony. Each unit is fitted with a kettle, a flat-screen TV, a safety deposit box and free WiFi, while some rooms are fitted with a terrace and some have sea views. All units have a private bathroom, slippers and bed linen. The ryokan offers a buffet or Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop on-site. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 27 km from SOKI ATAMI, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 33 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Atami SekaieAtami Sekaie is set in Atami, 2.6 km from Atami Sun Beach, 25 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, as well as 36 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk. At the ryokan, each unit comes with a private bathroom. Hakone Checkpoint is 22 km from the ryokan, while Hakone Shrine is 25 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Kiten - slow & work stay -Located in Atami, 200 metres from Atami Sun Beach and 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, Kiten - slow & work stay - provides accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning and a terrace. It is situated 34 km from Shuzen-ji Temple and features a shared kitchen. Hakone Shrine is 27 km from the guest house and Lake Ashi is 28 km away. A fridge and kettle are also provided. At the guest house, every unit includes a desk and a private bathroom. Mount Daruma is 48 km from the guest house, while Hakone Checkpoint is 24 km away.View on Booking.com -
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TaiseikanOffering an open-air bath and sea view, Taiseikan is set in Atami, 2.3 km from Nagahama Beach and 24 km from Shuzen-ji Temple. Ideally located in the Ajiro Onsen district, this ryokan offers a shared lounge, as well as a hot spring bath and a public bath. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 33 km from the ryokan, while Mount Daruma is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House MARUYALocated in the central area of Atami and a 15-minute walk from JR Atami Station, Guest House MARUYA offers capsule rooms fitted with Japanese futon-bedding. Guests can take a few minutes' walk to soak in the nearby hot springs or a 10-minute drive to visit the Atami Castle. JR Shinyokohama Station can be reached with a 50-minute ride on the shinkansen (bullet train). Haneda Airport is a 2-hour drive away from the property. There is a shared kitchen and lounge, where guests can socialise and relax. Washing machines and towel rentals are available at a surcharge. Each room at MARUYA Guest House comes with a power outlet and clothes hangers. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. Meals are not provided at the property; however, there are several dining options nearby.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Kan-ichiOffering an open-air bath and sea view, Hotel Kan-ichi is set in Atami, 300 metres from Atami Sun Beach and 26 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. At the ryokan, the units include a desk. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the ryokan. A bar can be found on-site. Shuzen-ji Temple is 34 km from Hotel Kan-ichi, while Mount Daruma is 48 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Atami Korakuen HotelSituated in Atami, 1.4 km from Atami Sun Beach, Atami Korakuen Hotel features accommodation with a terrace, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The property is around 27 km from Hakone-Yumoto Station, 29 km from Shuzen-ji Temple and 44 km from Mount Daruma. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi. The units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV, and some units at Atami Korakuen Hotel have a balcony. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Atami Korakuen Hotel offers a range of wellness facilities including a sauna and a hot spring bath. Hakone Checkpoint is 26 km from the hotel, while Hakone Shrine is 28 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Yuyado IchibanchiSituated in Atami, 1.3 km from Atami Sun Beach, Yuyado Ichibanchi features accommodation with a hot spring bath, a public bath and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and luggage storage space. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. A car rental service is available at the ryokan. Hakone-Yumoto Station is 26 km from Yuyado Ichibanchi, while Shuzen-ji Temple is 35 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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