When U.S. Commodore Perry and his fleet arrived here in 1853, they shocked the Samurai Shogun family, which was the Japanese government at that time.

 

Over 200 years of peaceful isolation was suddenly disturbed. Despite the isolation, the government was aware of western invasion to India and China, and a very serious debate started.

 

When the debate was just starting, Mr. Yoshida, a fanatic patriot secretly sailed to the U.S. fleet at night, and begged Mr. Perry to take him back to U.S.

 

Mr. Perry praised his bravery, however, considering the upcoming negotiation with the Japanese government, breaking the local law could be deteriorating, and Mr. Perry declined his offer.

 

Mr. Yoshida could have secretly return back to the shore as if nothing happened, but somehow he chose to confess his sins and was arrested.

 

Although it was after Mr. Yoshida was captured and sent back to his hometown, where he taught many heroes of the Meiji Restoration, he became a legendary figure in the history of modern Japan.

 

It is a beautiful harbor with a lot of history.

And nothing has changed.