Soon I will be heading to Japan for a much needed vacation. This will be the seventh time I’ve been to Japan and I’m looking forward to as if it were the first time! I love Canada but Japan is different in so many ways and I guess that’s the attraction of it all. It’s always an adventure when I go because I just never know what’s going to happen when I get there!
I’ll be staying in Shimoda, Shizuoka which is about a 3 hour train ride from Tokyo for most of my stay. Shimoda is located right on the coast and has a population of about 25,000 people. The thing is that Shimoda is only 97 kilometers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Area which just happens to have about 35,000,000 people. During summer vacation, the area tends to get pretty busy as it’s a well known vacation spot in Japan.
The above photo is a little shop just off of the beach. It’s a cool little place that mostly just sells little trinkets and souvenirs. The dude working there was so laid back and stepping in that place felt like I was stepping out of Japan and in to somewhere much more relaxed like Jamaica! Of course maybe that was due to the fact that the place smelled like Ganja!
Ever since that terrible tsunami in Thailand and Indonesia, more signs warning of the dangers of tsunami’s have gone up.
As I said earlier, Shimoda is a pretty small place and the night life is somewhat lacking. Although like most places in Japan, you can always find a “snack bar.” What’s a “snack bar?” Well it’s basically a bar where female hostesses will light your cigarettes, pour your drinks, and make nice conversation with you. Of course this entertainment comes at a price, anywhere from $50 – $500 depending on how long you stay and how much you drink. Which is why you will never catch me in a place like that!
One added bonus to Snack Bars in Shimoda is that if you look closely, you’ll notice that they are called “Snuck bars.” This is obviously a mistake and unfortunately one that is repeated cause if you go further down the road you’ll find another “snuck bar.” Sorry, I don’t have a photo. I guess this is what makes Shimoda special! 
Well that, and the fact that the local English sign maker can’t spell.
Last but not least, Shimoda is famous for being a summer vacation spot. Shimoda has a number of hotels and “pensions.” “Pensions” are basically what we might call here in North America, bed and breakfasts. Although they don’t always serve breakfast. Anyway Shimoda is a happy place and this is evidenced by the fact that you might want to do as this pretty crazy lady does and Smile Again! Yes, the pension is called “Smile Again” and every time I read this sign I ummm… well… uhh.. Smile Again! 
My name is Michael McKinlay and I live in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Although I was born here, I have lived in a few other places in Western Canada such as, Saskatoon, Regina, Medicine Hat, and Edmonton. I also spent time in Hong Kong and Japan. [
I went there over Golden Week, lovely place.
what’s the cheapest way to go to shimoda for 2days, from tokyo!!!!
thank you…
I would say the cheapest way is to take the local train from Tokyo. I dont believe there are any buses that come out this way… There is the odoriko express train, but that will cost more. If you take the local trains it will cost close 5000 yen each way.