In 1853, US admiral Commodore Matthew Perry visited Uraga near Edo(the old name of Tokyo) with his fleet, demanding Japan to open up the country with the president's official correspondence. 
Samurai government of Japan were afraid of the US. As a result, the next year, Japan signed a treaty of amity with the US and the policy of national isolation, which lasted for about 200years, ended finally. 

The flagship of Perry's fleet named Pawhatan is depicted on the stained glass of Yokohama City Opening Memorial Hall. Afterwards, in 1858, Japan-U.S. Treaty of Amity and Commerce was signed. At that time, the top of the Samurai government, Naosuke Ii concluded the treaty with the U.S. consul general, Townsend Harris. Ii's decision and diplomacy caused much more opposition movement in Japan and he suppressed it fiercely. He was assasinated by terrorists outside the Sakurada gate in 1860. It was the beginning of the end of Samurai government. To cut a complicated and long story short, the last shogun returned the political power to the emperor in 1867.    

Outside the Sakurada gate: Sakurada gate is an original one built in the mid 17th century which is designated as an Important Cultural Property.
                                                                                                                                                               Written on September 8, 2024