The Shimoda Kaido is known as Shimoda Michi once and is a 70km route from Mishima Juku on the Tokai Do via Shuzenji, Yugashima, Amagi Pass, Kawazu-Nanataki, and Yugano to Shimoda. At the end of the Edo period, Shoin Yoshida, who had planned an America stowaway, crossed the Amagi Pass and aimed for Shimoda in order to go aboard a Black Boat. American diplomat Harris to the contrary went to Edo from Shimoda in order to conclude the US-Japan Amity and Trade Treaty. It became more famous for being the stage of Yasunari Kawabata’s “Izu Dancer”. In the early summer, the Izu Kogen, which crossed the Amagi Pass, has young grass fluttering in the wind, and a vast ocean spread far ahead.

下田街道は、昔、下田路と呼ばれ、東海道の三島宿から、修善寺、湯ヶ島、天城峠を越えて、河津七滝、湯ヶ野を経て下田に至る行程およそ70kmの道です。幕末には、アメリカ密行を企てた吉田松陰は黒船に乗り込むために天城峠を越えて下田を目指し、アメリカの外交官ハリスは日米修好通商条約締結のため、松陰とは逆に下田から江戸に向かいました。川端康成の『伊豆の踊子』の舞台になったことで、一躍有名にもなりました。天城峠を越えた伊豆高原は、初夏、若草が風になびき、遙か前方には大海原が広がっています。