The Black Ships & Commodore Perry
ペリー来航と黒船の歴史
In the summer of 1853, four American warships — known in Japan as kurofune, or "Black Ships" — appeared in the waters off Uraga, commanded by Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Their steam-powered engines and towering cannons were unlike anything Japan had ever seen.
The arrival shattered more than two centuries of sakoku — Japan's strict isolationist policy — and set in motion a dramatic transformation toward the modern era. Uraga was at the very center of that turning point in history.
A monument marking Perry's landing still stands near Uraga harbor today, quietly reminding visitors of the moment the world came knocking at Japan's door.
Historical Note
The following year, in 1854, the Convention of Kanagawa was signed — opening Japan's ports to American ships for the first time. Uraga served as the diplomatic gateway for this landmark agreement.
The Uraga Magistrate's Office
浦賀奉行所の話
Long before Perry's arrival, the Uraga Magistrate's Office (Uraga Bugyōsho) had been standing watch over the entrance to Edo Bay since 1720. This government outpost was responsible for inspecting foreign vessels, managing coastal security, and reporting unusual activity to the Shogunate in Edo (present-day Tokyo).
When the Black Ships appeared, it was the officials of this very office who first approached the foreign fleet — negotiating on behalf of the Shogunate. In a sense, Uraga's magistrates were among the first Japanese people to face the modern world head-on.
The site of the magistrate's office remains in Uraga today, a quiet reminder of the city's role as Japan's diplomatic frontline.
Local Culture, Festivals & Food
地元の文化・祭り・食べ物
Beyond its dramatic history, Uraga is a place of living tradition — seasonal festivals, fresh seafood straight from Tokyo Bay, and landscapes that shift beautifully with every season.