Toyohashi

Understand

Toyohashi, centrally located between the main metropolis cities of Tokyo and Osaka, is known for its port, the largest for the import/export of automobiles in Japan. The Toyota Motor Company also has a production facility in the nearby city of Tahara, and the city has a manufacturing base. Volkswagen also has a large factory here. Yoshida Castle is at the center of the city, which was once an important post town on Tokaido road linking Edo with Kyoto. Toyohashi has extensive forests, and is close to the beaches of the Atsumi Peninsula, an important nesting habitat for the loggerhead turtle.

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

Getting there

By plane The nearest airport to Toyohashi is Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO IATA) near Nagoya. From there, Toyohashi is about 70 minutes away via the Meitetsu Line (¥1590). A change of trains at Jingu-mae station is required. Toyohashi Railroad runs an hourly bus service from Centrair directly to Toyohashi station in 1 hour, 40 minutes (¥2200).

By train Toyohashi is a stop on the JR Tokaido Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen, and is also the terminal of the Meitetsu Main Line from Nagoya and Gifu. Hikari trains on the Shinkansen run from Tokyo every 2 hours (with two late-night trains running 30 minutes apart), reaching Toyohashi in about 90 minutes. The all-stopping Kodama trains, which depart twice every hour, take 45 minutes longer. The price is the same for both trains (¥8700). Bullet trains from Kyoto (¥7530) and Osaka (¥8380) reach Toyohashi in about 75 and 90 minutes, respectively (1 or 2 departures per hour). From Nagoya you can reach Toyohashi in 25 minutes by bullet train (¥2230 unreserved seat, 2 to 3 departures per hour) or in 50–60 minutes on the Meitetsu Line (¥1080, 5 to 6 departures per hour). Rapid trains on the regular JR Tokaido Line run from Nagoya in 50–55 minutes (¥1280). Local trains also run 2-3 times per hour from Hamamatsu (35 minutes, ¥650). With the exception of the Meitetsu Line, all of the above trains can be used at no charge with the Japan Rail Pass.

By bus Toyohashi Railroad and KB Bus run a daily overnight bus from Shinjuku to Toyohashi (6 hours, ¥4500 one way, ¥8000 round-trip). Highway buses during the daytime only stop at the Toyohashi Kita stop of the Tomei Expressway. There are six daily Tokkyu buses from Tokyo Station to Hamamatsu Station (¥4420), from which you can take a local train to Toyohashi (¥650). The whole trip trip takes about five hours.

Getting around

Toyohashi can be navigated by streetcar. It is one of the few cities in Japan where streetcars are still in regular use. You can also get around by train which runs from the train/bus station right past Aichi University.

See

1 Futagawa Shuku Honjin Museum (二川宿本陣資料館), Futagawa-cho, Naka-machi 65, ☏ +81 53-241-8580. Tu-Su 09:30-17:00. A reconstruction of the original Tokaido Lodge, completed in 1988. Adults ¥400, students ¥100. 2 Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Gardens (aka Nonhoi Park) (豊橋総合動植物公園, Toyohashi Sougou Doushokubutsu Koen), ☏ +81 532-41-2185. 09:00-16:00:30. Adults ¥600, children ¥100. 3 Yoshida Castle (吉田城), Imahashi-cho (Take the tram to Shiyakusho-mae and head into Toyohashi Park). Feudal lord Kohaku Makino built the castle in 1505 and originally called it Imahashi Castle. After the Warring States period, the castle was renamed Yoshida Castle and became the residence of Terumasa Ikeda.

Do

Close to Toyohashi and right next to Tahara is Irago, the most popular surfing area for this part of Japan.

Events Japan Meeting of Furries. Japan's main furry convention, held at the Loisir Hotel a short bus ride away from Toyohashi Station. Almost 2,000 people attend each year, with a great number of costumed mascots and fursuiters. The event is held in early to mid January each year from Friday to Sunday (although some years has seen the event start on Thursday evening); admission is charged although access to public, non-event areas of the venue (such as the hotel lobby and outdoor courtyard) as well as the shuttle to and from Toyohashi station is free. ¥9000 for the whole weekend. (updated Jan 2024)

Buy

1 Seibunkan (精文館書店) (One block NW from Toyohashi Station.), ☏ +81 532-54-2345. This book store has a surprisingly good English section for a city this size. (updated Dec 2015)

Eat

1 Atlantika, Shin Yoshi-cho 48-2 Madoka Bldg. 1F (walk 10 minutes from the station up the tram street and continue past the post office on your right and you'll see it), ☏ +81 532 55 5376. 17:00-00:00. The first ever western-owned bar in Toyohashi. Serves ribs, wings, salads, tacos, brownies, cocktails, and world beer. ¥2000-4000.

Sleep

1 Hotel Associa Toyohashi (ホテルアソシア豊橋), Nishijuku, Hanada-cho (connected to JR Toyohashi Station), ☏ +81 532-57-1010. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Singles ¥12,500-14,000, twins ¥21,000-24,500. Japan Rail Pass holders receive a discounted rate..

Go next

Tahara Toyokawa Shinshiro Kozakai Kosai Hamamatsu Gamagori Toei Kota