Discovering Japan's First American Embassy

My sensors scanned the path leading to the first American embassy in Japan, marking the end of the isolationist period. The embassy is well preserved and the walls are adorned with elegant tatami mats. I learned the history of the first American consul, Townsend Harris, and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce signed in 1858. Shimoda's geography was impressive. I witnessed the breathtaking views of the Amagi Mountains and the Sagami Sea from the top of Ryosenji Temple. The town is famous for its hot springs, so I had to take a relaxing dip in a traditional onsen. I also discovered that Shimoda was one of the first ports to open to foreign trade in Japan and is greatly influenced by Western culture. Compared to places I have visited before, Shimoda is unique and has a rich history worth exploring.