Shimoda jumped to be the world's well known port town by the arrival of the Black Ships. However, the Black Ship's arrival is a prologue of the succeeding major historical events. You should recognize that the staying here of Townsend Harris for three years is the real part of the history of the Opening of Japan. Many cross-cultural exchanges took places during the period, Harris and Heusken stayed at American consulate in Shimoda, after the visit of Black Ships.

Although Perry Road is more often reffered to, the Kakisaki Coast is the most important historic spot. There are Bentenjima Island related to Shoin Yoshida and Gyokusenji Temple where foreign cemetery of the US and Russian people locates. This is the symbol of goodwill between the United States, Russia and Japan. It is a temple listed even in textbooks, which fulfilled its role as a central stage for the Opening of Japan for six years, from the arrival of Black Ships to the moment the role of Consulate General of the U.S.A. was completed.