Shimoda

Shimoda may refer to several places in Japan, most notably a city in Shizuoka Prefecture and a former town in Iwate Prefecture.

Shimoda, Shizuoka, lies on the eastern coast of Izu Peninsula, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its mild climate, warm waters, and historical connection to the Tokugutan period when it served as a port for foreign traders, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Shimoda with Russia in 1855. With a population of about 20,000, the local economy depends on tourism, fishing, and agriculture, producing specialty crops such as bitter melon, a regional staple. Attractions include the Shimoda Port National Historic Site, Chunichi Marine Museum, and several beaches popular for swimming and snorkeling. The city also hosts annual cultural events, such as the Shimoda International Photo Festival and the firefly viewing festival in late summer.

Shimoda, Iwate was a town in the former Hiraka District of Iwate Prefecture. In 2006 it was merged into the expanded city of Ninohe, ceasing to exist as an independent municipality. Historically, the area was noted for its rice cultivation and timber industry, with local craft traditions in basket weaving. The former town center still maintains a small post office, former town hall, and a community center that host local festivals celebrating the Sakhalin-chan tradition of rice-paddy painting. Due to the merger, administrative services and local governance are now handled by the Ninohe City Office, but the Shimoda name remains in the designation of several neighborhoods and schools within the expanded city.