Things to Do in Shimoda (下田市), Shizuoka: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Shimoda (下田市) in Shizuoka Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Inubashiri Jima (1.4 km), Ebisu Jima (3.6 km), Tanoura Shima (4.3 km) and served by Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) via the regional hub at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen). Set at 11 m elevation (34.6795°N, 138.9453°E), Shimoda offers travelers a base for sampling regional Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha), Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel), Fujinomiya yakisoba cuisine and exploring neighboring Minamiizu (南伊豆町) (10.6 km), Kawazu (河津町) (11.9 km), Matsuzaki (松崎町) (13.6 km), Higashiizu (東伊豆町) (18 km).

Shimoda is a city and port located in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In the 1850s, Japan was in political crisis over its increasing inability to maintain its national seclusion policy and the issue of what relations, if any, it should have with foreign powers. Shimoda is located at the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula about 100 km southwest of Tokyo. Shimoda's location, with the Amagi Mountains to the north, and the warm Kuroshio Current to the south give the city a humid, sub-tropical climate. Shimoda has been settled since prehistoric times, with numerous Jōmon period remains found within city limits. Within Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimoda (下田市) serves as a city in Shizuoka Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1971-01-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

What to See & Do in Shimoda (下田市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Shimoda (下田市) from Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) at 11 m elevation (34.6795°N, 138.9453°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Shimoda):

• Inubashiri Jima (1.4 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimoda (下田市).
• Ebisu Jima (3.6 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimoda (下田市).
• Tanoura Shima (4.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimoda (下田市).
• Tenrei Zan (7.5 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Shimoda (下田市).
• Izu Peninsula — local sightseeing landmark near Shimoda (下田市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Shimoda: Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) (connecting to Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Shimoda

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Shimoda (下田市) and Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu:

• Minamiizu (南伊豆町) — 10.6 km from Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Kawazu (河津町) — 11.9 km from Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Matsuzaki (松崎町) — 13.6 km from Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Higashiizu (東伊豆町) — 18 km from Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture)
• Nishiizu (西伊豆町) — 19.8 km from Shimoda (Shizuoka Prefecture)

Getting to Shimoda & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Shimoda (下田市) via Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km): 45m–1h 25m from Tokyo Station (or 1h–1h 30m from Kyoto/Osaka) directly on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari or Kodama. From Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) to reach central Shimoda (34.6795°N, 138.9453°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Shizuoka with Shimoda (下田市) and neighboring Minamiizu, Kawazu, Matsuzaki. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Shimoda, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Shimoda and continuing toward Minamiizu can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Shimoda: While Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) anchors public transit for Shimoda, picking up a rental car at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) makes it easy to link Inubashiri Jima (1.4 km) and Ebisu Jima (3.6 km) with nearby Minamiizu (南伊豆町) (10.6 km), Kawazu (河津町) (11.9 km), Matsuzaki (松崎町) (13.6 km), Higashiizu (東伊豆町) (18 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Shimoda (下田市) & Shizuoka

Dining near Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) and across Shimoda (下田市) highlights the regional food culture of Shizuoka Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Shimoda:

• Local specialty & terroir of Shimoda (下田市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Shizuoka green tea (sencha & matcha) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimoda (下田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Hamamatsu gyoza & Lake Hamana unagi (eel) — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimoda (下田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Fujinomiya yakisoba — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimoda (下田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Suruga Bay sakura-ebi (cherry shrimp) & namashirasu — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimoda (下田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Shizuoka oden — regional specialty enjoyed across Shimoda (下田市) and Shizuoka Prefecture.

If you are dining in Shimoda (下田市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km).

Where to Stay in Shimoda (下田市)

Visitors staying overnight in Shimoda (下田市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km), or base at major rail hubs in Shizuoka (Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen)) or neighboring Minamiizu, Kawazu, Matsuzaki for quick train access into Shimoda. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Shimoda & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Shimoda (下田市, 11 m elevation at 34.6795°N, 138.9453°E): Early February–March for Kawazu early cherry blossoms on the Izu Peninsula; October–February for crisp, unobstructed southern views of Mount Fuji.

Wider sightseeing across Shizuoka Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Inubashiri Jima (1.4 km) in Shimoda (下田市) includes: Southern views of Mount Fuji (Miho no Matsubara, Nihondaira, Fujinomiya), Izu Peninsula hot springs and coastline (Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji), and Hamamatsu.

Practical Travel Tips for Shimoda (下田市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Shimoda: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Atami & Mishima Stations (Tokaido Shinkansen) or Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) for local bus schedules to Inubashiri Jima (1.4 km) and walking maps of Shimoda (下田市).
• Cash & ATMs in Shimoda: Convenience stores and major hotels around Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Inubashiri Jima (1.4 km) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Shimoda accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Shimoda: Around Izu Kyūshimoda Station (伊豆急下田駅) (0.1 km) and neighboring Minamiizu, Kawazu, Matsuzaki, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.