In 1854, the Treaty of Peace and Amity was concluded following negotiations with Commodore Perry, and it made Shimoda one of Japan’s first open ports. To commemorate the dawn of U.S.-Japan relations, the Black Ship Festival has been held every May since 1934. Featuring such participants as the U.S. Navy band and diplomatic officials, the festival is cherished as a hallmark of spring in Izu, celebrating the enduring friendship between our two nations. Look for @USAmbJapan this year.