Hamamatsu

Understand

An important industrial hub, the city is home to many companies, including Honda Motor Company, Roland Corporation, Kawai Pianos, Yamaha, Sony, Suzuki Motor Company and Hamamatsu Photonics as well as a large air base for Japan's defense force. Consequently, the city is well known for producing motorcycles, musical instruments and optoelectronic sensors among other things. For its population of just under a million people, Hamamatsu is a uniquely international city. It is home to almost 16,000 Brazilians, mostly from São Paulo, Paraná, and Belém, as well as 3000 immigrants from Peru, giving it the highest per-capita concentration of South Americans in Japan. The city also has sizable immigrant populations from Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, China, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The ethnic diversity here provides the city with a wide array of ethnic stores, restaurants, bars and clubs.

Tourist information site The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Getting there

By plane Geographically, the closest airport to Hamamatsu is in Shizuoka (FSZ IATA), 45 km away. However, flights there are very limited: Domestic services are operated by ANA and low-cost carrier Fuji Dream Airlines to destinations including Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa, and international flights serve Seoul, Taipei and several destinations in China.

You can reach Hamamatsu by taking a limousine bus to Shimada Station (25 min, ¥500) and then taking the JR Tokaido Line (45 min, ¥840). Fuji Dream Airlines passengers have access to a free shuttle bus to Kakegawa Station (35 min away), otherwise a shuttle to Kakegawa costs ¥1000. From Kakegawa, Hamamatsu is 30 min away by local JR train (¥500) or - if the connection is convenient - 11 minutes by shinkansen (¥1360). It's also possible to take shuttle taxis all the way to Hamamatsu for ¥1500, but these must be reserved at least one day in advance and bookings can only be done in Japanese. The closest international airport is Chubu International Airport (NGO IATA) in Nagoya. Entetsu operates a bus called E-Wing which runs directly to Hamamatsu Station every 45-60 min. The trip takes 2 hr 10 min and costs ¥3100. The fastest option by train is to take the Meitetsu Limited Express to Nagoya and change to the shinkansen (90-100 min, ¥5650, shinkansen is free with the Japan Rail Pass). If coming from the other major international airports, Kansai (KIX IATA) or Narita (NRT IATA), the fastest way to reach Hamamatsu is to take the JR limited express to Osaka or Tokyo, respectively, and change to the shinkansen. These trips are free for Japan Rail Pass holders.

By train Hamamatsu is on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and the JR Tokaido Line, which serve major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. There are a handful of Hikari and Kodama services that stop in Hamamatsu. From Tokyo, there are two all-stopping Kodama trains that depart every hour, making the run to Hamamatsu in about 2 hours. Faster Hikari trains depart once per hour, running to Hamamatsu in 90 min. The fare is the same for both, at ¥8290 for a reserved seat. Kodama trains have more unreserved seats than the Hikari; an unreserved seat costs ¥7770. There are hourly departures to Hamamatsu from Osaka and Kyoto on either a Hikari (90 min from Osaka) or Kodama (2 hr from Osaka). The reserved seat fare is ¥8940 from Shin-Osaka and ¥8290 from Kyoto. Discount bullet train tickets include the Puratto (Platt) Kodama Ticket (Japanese), which offers a discount for Kodama trains if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat, and a coupon for

Getting around

The city center is easily explored on foot, but Hamamatsu is a very sprawling place, and to visit places further out such as the Fruit Park or Kanzanji Hot Springs, you will need another form of transportation.

By car Times Car Rental, (south of Hamamatsu station), ☏ +81 53-454-5656.

By bus Hamamatsu Bus Terminal is just north of the main JR train station. Take a ticket from the machine inside the bus when you enter. The number on the ticket corresponds to the number lit up at the front of the bus, which displays the fare amount for the upcoming stop.

By train The JR Tokaido main line has five stops within Hamamatsu city limits. They are, from west to east: Bentenjima (弁天島) Maisaka (舞阪) Takatsuka (高塚) Hamamatsu (浜松) Tenryugawa (天竜川) The JR Iida line cuts across the mountainous far northern edge of the city on its path between Toyohashi, Aichi and Tatsuno, Nagano. Useful stops include Misakubo and Sakuma. Entetsu runs a line popularly known as the Aka-den, after the red color of the train cars. It runs from Shin-Hamamatsu station (新浜松駅) northward to Nishikajima station (西鹿島), where it connects with the Tenryu-Hamanako line.　To find Shin-Hamamatsu station from the regular JR station, walk westward from the JR North Exit about two minutes and you will find the station behind Entetsu department store. The Tenryuu-Hamanako line crosses Hamamatsu through the foothills and across the scenic north end of Lake Hamana. It connects with the JR Tokaido line at Shinjohara (新所原) at the western border of the prefecture, and again at Kakegawa to the east of town. In the center, it connects with the terminus of the Entetsu line at Nishikajima (西鹿島).

See

1 Act City, Itaya-machi 111-1 - Naka-ku (east side of JR station), ☏ +81 53 451-1111, fax: +81 53 451-1123. Hamamatsu's only skyscraper is a symbol of the city, designed to resemble a harmonica, a reminder that Hamamatsu is sometimes known as the "City of Music". The building houses shopping and a food court, the Okura Hotel, and an observatory on the 45th floor from which you can see all of central Hamamatsu. The basement floor holds two theaters at which there are frequent concerts, musicals, plays, and seminars. On the west side there is a unique rooftop park complex, and on the north there is an outdoor "Sunken Garden" used at festival times for food stalls and cultural performances. Tower Observatory. M-F 10AM-6PM. From the observatory you can see down to the sand dunes at the shore and Lake Hamana to the west. If the weather is exceptionally clear, you can even glimpse Mount Fuji in the distance. Beneath the windows are labeled panoramic photos so you can identify the sights. Coin-operated telescopes. ¥500. Chopin Monument. Erected in the rooftop park beside the tower is an authentic two-third-scale replica of the famous Art Nouveau bronze statue of composer Frédéric Chopin by the famed artist Wacław Szymanowski. The original is in Hamamatsu's sister city, Warsaw. 2 Futamata Castle Ruins (二俣城跡, Futamata-jouseki), Futamata-cho Futamata - Tenryu-ku (from the northern Akaden terminus at Nishikajima, take the Tenryu-Hamanako line one stop north to Futamata Honmachi, walk 200 m north to the main street, head left for about 300 m and look for the sign). Many battles were fought over this castle in the mid-16th century between Ieyasu Tokugawa and Shingen Takeda. In 1579, Tokugawa's wife was executed here and his son committed seppuku here as well. The castle was abandoned after 1600, and today nothing but the walls remain, surrounded by a beautiful park. 3 Hamamatsu Castle (浜松城, Hamamatsu-jou), Motoshiro-cho 49-2 - Naka-ku (take bus 36, 40, 41, or 50, to city hall (市役所前)), ☏ +81 53 453-3872. Hamamatsu Castle was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa, who is considered perhaps the greatest shogun and one of the three people most important to the unification of Japan. His rule marks the beginning of the Edo Period. Tokugawa lived here from 1571 to 1588. After the Edo Period, the castle was destroyed, and was restored to the original specifications in 1958. The foundation, which is original, is unique because it uses unhewn stones carefully selected and fitted to lean inward. There is a small museum inside the castle, which costs ¥200 to enter, and which houses som

Do

1 Pal-Pal Amusement Park (浜名湖パルパル), Kanzanji-chō 1891 - Nishi-ku (take the Kanzanji bus from central bus station terminal 1), ☏ +81 53 487-2121. Rollercoasters, Japan's longest raft ride, and a cable car ride over Lake Hamana are among the attractions at this park in Kanzanji. ¥1000. 2 Torch Fishing (Takiya-ryo), Yūtō-chō 9985-3 (at Yuto Fishing Co-op), ☏ +81 53 592-2260, [email protected]. May to October. This method of spear fishing at night is unique to the Lake Hamana area. You can rent a boat for up to 4 people, including an experienced fisherman, for ¥27,000. For a little extra you can have your catch cooked and served. 3 Wotto Hamanako Aquatic Experience Center (浜名湖体験学習施設ウォット, Hamanako Taiken Gakushuu Shisetsu Wotto), Maisaka-chō Maisaka 5005-1 - Nishi-ku (about a 15-minute walk north from JR Bentenjima station), ☏ +81 53 592-2880. Tu-Su 09:00-16:30. At this hands-on aquarium, you can see, touch, and learn about aquatic life in Lake Hamana. ¥300. 4 Hamanako Pleasure Boat (浜名湖遊覧船, Hamanako Yūransen), Mikkabi-chō Oosaki 1899, ☏ +81 53 526-7066. Daily 09:00-16:00. This ferry runs between Kanzanji Hot Spring and Mikkabi-cho, giving some nice views of Lake Hamana. The round trip takes about an hour. Round trip ¥1150. Miyakoda Hiking Course (都田 ハイキング コース) (Take the Akaden to Nishikajima station and transfer to the Tenryu-Hamanko line to Miyakoda station, then look for a signpost showing the hiking route, these will be at most major intersections on the route.). This "19-km hiking trail" is actually a route on the roads through the area. While quite confusing to the non-Japanese speaker, it does take one past Washizawa Cave, winds up in the mountains a temple, bridges, a waterfall, and finally to Takisawa Observation Platform. A new highway being built across this area seems to have altered some roads and creates for a challenge in route-finding. Be prepared to trek 25–30 km as the 19-km length assumes one does not get lost. 5 Yu Fukei Shiori (湯風景しおり), Takabayashi 1-chome 13-13 - Naka-ku (off Route 152 about 1.5 km north of City Hall, behind the Circle K), ☏ +81 53 478-2626. A nice bathhouse not so far from the city center. Watch a movie in Toho Cinemas, in the Zaza City Complex or at Sun Street Shopping Center in Hamakita. 6 Hamamatsu Racetrack (浜松オートレース場, Hamamatsu Ootoresuba), Wago-cho 936-19 (free 20-minute shuttle bus from the central bus station), ☏ +81 53 471-0311. National auto and motorcycle racing events. ¥100.

Festivals Shoryu Weeping Plum Blossom Festival (昇竜しだれ梅まつり, Shoryuu Shidare-ume Matsuri), Kurematsu-chou 1476-1, Nishi-ku (

Buy

1 Entetsu Department Store (遠鉄百貨店), Sunayama-cho 320-2 - Naka-ku (just west of the JR station), ☏ +81 53 457-0001. High quality clothing and other items. The basement contains a wonderful grocery and deli. Aeon Shopping Malls - Hamamatsu has three of these somewhat western-style shopping malls. You'll have to catch a bus to these. The largest is in Ichino-cho (市野町). 2 Aeon Mall Hamamatsu Ichino (イオンモール浜松市野), Tennou-cho 1981-3. The largest shopping mall in the area. A free shuttle bus runs to the mall from Kamijima and Saginomiya stations on the Akaden line. 3 Aeon Hamamatsu-nishi (イオン浜松西店), Irino-cho 6244-1 - Nishi-ku (Take bus 8-22 or 9-22 to Aeon Hamamatsu Nishiten Iriguchi - イオン浜松西店入口), ☏ +81 449-2611. Smallest yet closer to downtown, this location is bit more like a large department store. 4 Aeon Mall Hamamatsu Shitoro (イオンモール浜松志都呂), Shitoro-cho 5605 - Nishi-ku (take bus 20 to AEON Mall Shitoro Iriguchi - イオンモール志都呂入口. You will pass Irino Jusco along the way-- don't be fooled), ☏ +81 53-415-1200. 5 May One, Sunayama-cho 6-1 - Naka-ku (inside the central JR station), ☏ +81 53 457-4000. Clothing shops, Animate, a bookstore and an import store called Plaza, among other things. In addition to some restaurants, there is a high-quality grocery section in the basement. 6 Sun Street Hamakita (サンストリート浜北), Hiraguchi 2861 - Hamakita-ku (take bus 61 from central bus terminal 12), ☏ +81 53 585-8333. 10:00-21:00. This shopping center contains a bathhouse, a Toho Cinema, arcades, a food court, a 24-hour Seiyu, and dozens of clothing stores. 7 ZaZa City Hamamatsu (ザザシティ浜松), Kaji-machi 150 - Naka-ku (up Kajimachi-dori かじ町通り from the JR station), ☏ +81 53 413-3333. 10:00-20:00. Amongst varied clothing shops, ZaZa City has a musical instrument store, a movie theater, a supermarket, a manga store, a video arcade, Starbucks, MosBurger and more. The bookstore in the basement has a decent selection of English books. 8 Hamamatsu Plaza (浜松プラザ), 静岡県浜松市東区上西町1020-1. Another large shopping mall complex consisted of five buildings: Xebio, Costco, Frespo, FitnessRelaxation ZEN, and Hamamatsu Plaza West. A tourist may be interested in Frespo and Hamamatsu Plaza West the most. The former is itself a shopping mall that consists of daily goods stores, restaurants, and a supermarket, while the latter are retail chains such as Mont-Bell, Uniqlo, GU and ABC. Xebio provide sports goods and children's goods, FitnessRelaxation ZEN is a gym with an onsen, and Costco - just Costco. If you want, you can visit it in a day, especially if you have a Costco membership. Visiting the complex

Eat

Budget 1 Arisan (阿里山), Tamachi 330-1, Mabii Bldg. B1 (across the corner from the Circle K on Daiichi-dori), ☏ +81 53-466-0207. 11:30-14:00, 17:30-02:00. Taiwanese restaurant with a fairly wide selection of tasty dishes with good portion sizes for the price. Chambord (シャンボール), various locations. This bakery chain serves a variety of fresh-baked breads and pastries. There is a location with a deli inside the JR station, and another bakery is across the street from Shin-Hamamatsu station. 2 Gyoza no Kiyo (餃子のきよ), Kamoe 1-chome 33-5 - Naka-ku (go up the hill west from ZaZa City and take a left after Kamoe Kannon), ☏ +81 53 454-1931. Famous gyoza not far from downtown. 3 Ishimatsu Gyoza (石松餃子店, Ishimatsu Gyouza-ten), Komatsu 2192-1 - Hamakita-ku, ☏ +81 53 586-8522, fax: +81 53 587-2993, [email protected]. F-Tu 16:30-21:00. This may be the most famous place to get Hamamatsu gyoza. Some of the area's other famous shops are owned by former pupils of the head chef here. 4 Kibori (喜慕里), Zoura-cho 563-3 - Minami-ku (off Route 257 behind the Hamashin Bank), ☏ +81 53 447-5737. 11:30-14:30, 16:30-21:00. A very old establishment known for its lighter, less meaty gyoza. Ramen is also served. 5 Kunma Suisha no Sato (くんま水車の里), Kuma 1976-1 - Tenryu-ku (from the north end of the Akaden at Nishikajima, take a bus for Kuma), ☏ +81 53 929-0636. F-W 09:00-17:00. Named after the large old-fashioned waterwheel that turns outside, this spot serves the local specialties nihachi soba (buckwheat noodles) and gohei mochi. Visitors can also try making their own soba or konyaku. 6 Las Chillonas (about 4 blocks west of Hachiman station). The only full-fledged Mexican restaurant in town, run by a hard-working Mexican woman and her daughter. The chimichangas are spectacular, but the menu also includes a variety of appetizers, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and even a chicken molé. They also serve Mexican beer and frequently have cheap margarita specials. ¥1000-1600. 7 Okonomiyaki Honpo (お好み焼き本舗), Nakazawa-cho 23-1 - Naka-ku (on the east side of 152 just south of the Miyakoda Techno Road intersection), ☏ +81 53 478-2200. Very large and popular Kansai-style chain okonomiyaki restaurant. 8 Pronto Cafe, Sunayama-cho 320-2 - Naka-ku (directly beneath Shin-Hamamatsu station), ☏ +81 53 457-5851. Closes at 22:00. Good coffee, pizza and pasta in a sophisticated atmosphere. Full bar. There is plenty of outdoor seating, and the inside shares space with the DJ booth for FM Haro, a popular local radio station. ¥600-1200. 9 Toraya (とらや), Sakana-machi 316-36 Kawaimaruki Bldg, ☏ +81 53 454

Drink & nightlife

1 Shointei Tea Ceremony House (松韻亭), Shikatani-cho 11-4 (take a bus from central bus station terminal 15 to the Shikatanicho stop: 鹿谷町, then head into the park), [email protected]. Tu-Su 09:30-17:00. At this pleasant teahouse you can experience a traditional tea ceremony while taking in a nice garden view. ¥400.

Bars and pubs Many of the drinking establishments in town can be found on or around Yūraku-gai (有楽街), which runs vaguely north–south about 4 blocks west-northwest of the JR station. At ZaZa City shopping complex, it intersects Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), which is the main street leading northwest from the station.

2 Bar Mar Espana (バルマル), Naka-ku Chitose-cho 203 (north of Sago Hotel), ☏ +81 53-482-8700, [email protected]. 17:00-02:00. Spanish tapas bar with a decent wine selection. Mostly Japanese clientèle. 3 Entetsu Beer Garden, Sunayama-cho 320-2 - Naka-ku (just west of the JR station, on the roof of the Entetsu department store), ☏ +81 53 457-0001. A fairly standard Japanese-style beer garden: mediocre food, cold beer, fresh air. June through the end of August. 4 Mein Schloss (マインシュロス), Chuo 3-8-1 - Naka-ku (a couple of blocks northeast of the JR station), ☏ +81 120-63-1146. A very large German beer hall which brews its own beer. A good spot if you have a big group. Motion (モーション), Naka-ku, Daiku-machi 15, Daichi Bldg. 3rd Floor (west of ZaZa city, past the 7-11, about a 3-minute walk), ☏ +81 90-3449-6885. Open Friday & Saturday from 20:30. Specializes in premium alcohols, liquors, beers and juices. Ask the bartender to make you one of his original cocktails. Also serves some light foods. Bartender speaks English, Japanese, Tagalog and Cebuano. The DJ plays various kinds of music. No table charge. Most drinks around ¥500. 5 No Name Bar, Kaji-machi 318-45 (across from ZaZa City), ☏ +81 53 456-8218. An interesting mix of Japanese and foreigners come here to drink, but they also offer authentic kebabs and other Turkish cuisine. Televised sports events on occasion. Free darts upstairs. There are of course a large number of karaoke places along Yūraku-gai as well.

Clubs Hamamatsu has a lot of options for clubbing for a city its size, though most of these are open only on the weekends. Most places do not start getting busy until after midnight.

6 Klan Klub, Itaya-machi 102-14, B1 - Naka-ku (On Daiichi-dori a block east of the Akaden line). From 22:00. This club plays a mix of Brazilian music, rock, and house. Drinks are in the ¥500 range. This place can be quite happening on weekends. Cover usually around ¥1000. 7 K'noas, Sunaya

Sleep

Budget Business Hotel Tsujiume (ビジネスホテル辻梅), Sunayama-cho 355-2, ☏ +81 53 453-1712, fax: +81 53 453-1712. Hotel Villa Kuretake (ホテル・ヴィラくれたけ), 1-1-26 Higashi Iba (down the hill from the Grand Hotel), ☏ +81 53 453-0880, fax: +81 53-453-2988, [email protected]. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Relatively spacious rooms with room service from 5 on-site restaurants, a laundry service and in-room broadband connections. Single ¥8,000. Twin/double ¥15,000. 1 Nagisa Park Campground (渚園キャンプ場, Nagisa-en Kyampu-jou), Maisaka-cho Bentenjima 5005-1 - Nishi-ku (about 10 minutes walk north from JR Bentenjima station, next to the Wotto center), ☏ +81 53 592-7544, fax: +81 53 592-1525. Check-in: 10:00-22:00. Lakeside camping with barbecue grill rental, bicycle rentals and sporting facilities. Per person charge: Adults ¥400, children ¥200. Ryokan Nakaya (旅館仲屋), Kanzanji-cho 2214 - Nishi-ku (on Kanzanji-kaido about 100 meters south of the temple), ☏ +81 53 487-0159, fax: +81 53 487-2607, [email protected]. A small ryokan with a hot spring bath with a lake view. Breakfast is included—note that dinner is not included here. ¥6000. 2 Toyoko Inn Hamamatsu-eki Kita-guchi (東横イン浜松駅北口), 103-1 Itaya-machi (5-minute walk from JR Hamamatsu Station North Exit, 1 minute walk from Enshu Railway Daiichi-dori Station), ☏ +81 53-457-1045, fax: +81 53-457-1048. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Part of the popular no-frills Toyoko Inn chain of hotels. Toyoko Inn Club members can check in from 15:00. Singles ¥5715-6000, twins/doubles ¥8000. 3 Urakawa Campground (浦川キャンプ場村, Urakawa Kyampumura), Sakuma-cho Urakawa 3454-12 - Tenryu-ku (take the JR Iida line from Toyohashi to Urakawa Station, or take Route 152 to Sakuma-cho Toguchi and then 463 a few kilometers past Sakuma and turn left at state road 1), ☏ +81 53 967-2449. Campsites and simple lodgings on a beautiful green island at the convergence of two mountain rivers. Campfire pits, showers, and shared toilets. The locale is good for swimming in summertime. Tent ¥2500; bungalows for 3, ¥3500; log houses for 5, ¥16,000.

Mid-range Hotel Ascent Hamamatsu (ホテルアセント浜松), 353-1, Sunayama-cho, ☏ +81 53-454-0330, fax: +81 53-452-0047. Hamanako Royal Hotel (浜名湖ロイヤルホテル), Yuto-cho Yamazaki 4396-1 - Nishi-ku, ☏ +81 53 592-2222, fax: +81 53 592-5522. Part of Hamanako Lakeside Plaza, which includes Yuto onsen, outdoor pool, tennis courts, gym, park, and several restaurants. Most rooms have a good view of Lake Hamana. Package deals of one night's stay, dinner, and breakfast buffet start at ¥15950. 4 Hotel Concorde Hamamatsu (ホテルコ

Go next

Kosai Toyohashi Iwata Mori Fukuroi Kakegawa (掛川), half an hour east, has a better castle and park. Omaezaki (御前崎) is a beautiful little beach town. Kawanehon Kikugawa