下田は伊豆半島南部に位置する市で、温泉地として有名です。
江戸時代末期に日本がアメリカと条約を結んだ際、重要な場所となった数々のお寺があり、また、ダイナミックな景観を楽しむことが出来る観光スポットもあります。
Shimoda is located at the tip of southern part of the Izu peninsula and is known for its many great hot springs. At the end of Edo Era when Japan signed a treaty with the United States of America, it was done at several of the temples in Shimoda city where the historical negotiations and signing of the Shimoda Treaty took place. Thus these temples became very important places in the Japan’s history. There are also many great sightseeing places where you can enjoy spectacular views of Shimoda.
下田公園 Shimoda Park
別名、城山公園、あじさい公園とも呼ばれる、下田港を一望できる自然公園です。園内には15万株、約300万輪のあじさいがあって、毎年6月にはあじさい祭が開かれ、たくさんのあじさいが咲き乱れます。
Jyoyama Park also sometimes referred to as Ajisai Park (Hydrangea Park) is a nature park overlooking Shimoda Bay. There are 150,000 Ajisai (hydrangea) stumps in the park which hosts about 3000,000 blossoms. Ajisai (hydrangea) Festival is held every year in June where you can enjoy hydrangea blossoms from light blue, light pink, light purple to dark purple as you walk through the park.
http://www.shizuoka-guide.com/foreign_search/detail/1/4729
ペリー・ロード Perry Road
ペリーロードは、下田港から了仙寺までの約700ｍ、平滑川沿いの道のりのことをいいます。江戸時代末期に来航し、当時、諸外国と国交の途絶えていた日本を、開国へと導いたことで知られるマシュー・ペリーの名にちなんで付けられた通りです。
往時の建物が今も残っていて、喫茶店や雑貨店、料理店などになっています。
Perry Road is a road along the Hiraname River which covers approximately 700 meters from Shimoda Bay to the Ryosen temple. In 1853, U.S. Commodore Matthew C. Perry’s fleet came to Shimoda city, Japan. At that time, Japan was being excluded from diplomatic relations with other countries, and U.S. Commodore Matthew C. Perry helped guide Japan and was responsible for the opening of Japan to the West. In honor to Mr. Perry, the road was named after him. The buildings along the Perry Road at that time are still standing and have been transformed into charming coffee shops, gift shops, crafts shops, and restaurants. You can take a walk along this Perry Road and feel as you have slipped into time.
了仙寺 Ryosenji (Ryosen Temple)
江戸時代の後期に、日本とアメリカの間で、日米下田条約が締結されました。その舞台となったお寺です。
お寺の宝物館には、その条約を結んだ際のたくさんの資料が、わかりやすく展示されています。
At the end of the Edo Era, Ryosen Temple was the place where the Shimoda Treaty was signed between Japan and the United States. Many historical records and documents from the signing of the Shimoda Treaty are displayed at the Ryosenji
treasure respository along with brief explanations.
http://www.izu.co.jp/~ryosenji/eigo.html
宝福寺 Hofukuji (Hofuku Temple)
江戸時代の後期、下田の芸者で、悲劇の人生を遂(と)げた「唐人(とうじん)お吉」のお墓があります。
「唐人お吉」は、数々の小説や舞台、映画になっていることで有名です。
Also at the end of Edo Era, there was a geisha in Shimoda
named Tojin Okichi who lived a life of tragedy. Tojin Okichi’s tomb is located at Hofukuji. Tojin Okichi is famous since her tragic life story have been recounted and made into novels, dramas, and movies.
玉泉寺 Gyokusenji (Gyokusen Temple)
江戸時代末期に、アメリカ総領事館として使用されたお寺として知られています。日本での初代総領事となったタウンゼント・ハリスの遺品を展示したハリス記念館や、日本で初めて建てられた外人墓地があります。
Gyokusen Temple was used as the place for the American Consulate General in the last years of Edo Era. There is the Mr. Townsend Harris’s memorial museum in honor of the first U.S. ambassador to Japan. His belongings are also on display. Also, for the first time in Japan, cemeteries for foreigners were built here.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/gyokusenji.html
爪木崎 Tsumekizaki
下田市の須崎半島の先端にあり、真っ白い灯台が立っています。
大昔に海底火山の噴火で形成されたダイナミックな岩肌を眺めながら、散策を楽しむことが出来ます。
夏には地元の海水浴場として親しまれ、冬にはたくさんの水仙が咲き乱れます。
There stands a white lighthouse at the tip of the Suzaki Peninsula in Shimoda city. Eruption of a submerged volcano long ago created these beautiful dynamic rock surfaces where many people enjoy quiet walks. Tsumekizaki is known for its beautiful beach for swimming during the summer. In the winter, there are daffodils in full bloom along the walk way to the beach.
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