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Shimoda Park (Joyama Park): harbour views and hydrangeas

See · Shimoda · Originally covered on this site in 2017 (in Japanese); rewritten in English and updated 2026-10-24.

A wooded hill above Shimoda's harbour, best known for one of Japan's largest hydrangea displays every June.

Shimoda Park, also called Joyama Park after the castle that once stood here, covers the hill between the town and the harbour. Paths climb through the trees to viewpoints over the port, where Commodore Perry's Black Ships anchored in 1854.

Hydrangeas in June

In June the hillside is covered in hydrangeas: around 150,000 plants and some 3 million blooms, often called the largest hydrangea display in Japan. The Shimoda Hydrangea Festival runs for the whole month.

Getting there

Walking times from Izukyu-Shimoda station are given as 15 to 30 minutes depending on the entrance. Combine it with Perry Road and the harbour, and a coffee at Jashumon.

Sources

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