Commodore Perry Day!

This past saturday was Commodore Perry Day, celebrated by a fireworks show at Kurihama Harbor, a short train ride from Kamakura near the southern end of the Miura Peninsula. This is where Matthew Perry and his Black Ships in 1853 docked and presented a letter to Japanese officials ordering the opening of the borders for trade.

This monolith denotes the exact spot where Perry landed. It states: 

     "This monument commemorates the first arrival of Commodore Perry, ambassador from the United States of America who landed at this place July 14, 1835.

                      -Erected July 14, 1901 by America's Friends Association"