Hamamatsu

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.

By plane

Geographically, the closest airport to Hamamatsu is in Shizuoka, 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 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 or Narita, 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 Kodama Ticket, 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 a free drink to purchase before you board the train. With this ticket a trip to Hamamatsu costs ¥6600 from Tokyo (2 hr), ¥3700 from Nagoya (50 min), ¥6600 from Kyoto (1 hr 45 min) and ¥7100 from Shin-Osaka (2 hr). In addition, discounted tickets can be purchased in advance through Japan Railways' official SmartEX App, available in English and other languages - look for Hayatoku fares.
Regular local train services on the Tokaido Line will get you from Tokyo to Hamamatsu in approximately 4–5 hours for ¥4430, while from Osaka it takes around the same amount of time for ¥5080. Several train changes are required along the way.
Train service from Nagoya take as little as 1 hr 40 min on the regular Tokaido Line (¥1940), changing at Toyohashi, or as little as 30 min on the Shinkansen (¥4420 unreserved seat).
All of the above train services are free with a Japan Rail Pass.
The Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto trains make overnight stops in Hamamatsu on runs to Izumo and Takamatsu, respectively.

By car

The Tomei Expressway, the main artery through the Chubu region, bisects Hamamatsu. The city is served by the Hamamatsu and Hamamatsu-Nishi interchanges. It is around 8 km from Hamamatsu Interchange to Hamamatsu station.
Further to the north, the Shin-Tomei Expressway serves Hamamatsu through the Hamamatsu Hamakita Interchange. It's about 17 km from there to Hamamatsu station.

By bus

Hamamatsu serves as a major stop for bus travel throughout the country, thanks in large part to its location near the Tomei Expressway. The main stop for buses is Hamamatsu Bus Terminal, next to Hamamatsu Station. This is not to be confused with Hamamatsu-cho Bus Terminal, which is located in Tokyo.
Through buses may stop at the Hamamatsu Kita bus stop of the expressway, a good distance from Hamamatsu station.

From Tokyo

Daytime buses from Tokyo take around 4 hr 30 min, with most runs to Tokyo in the morning and from Tokyo in the evening.

• There are five daily JR Tomei Liner buses that run from Tokyo Station to Hamamatsu Station (¥3880).
• Other buses operate a route from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (¥3880) and Tokyo/Shibuya (¥3810) to Hamamatsu, with four round-trips per day.

Entetsu operates an overnight bus from Shinagawa Bus Terminal (6 hr, ¥3800), while Willer Express runs an overnight service from JR Osaki Station (5 hr 10 min, ¥3900).

From Kansai and Hyogo

Two round-trip buses between Osaka Station and Hamamatsu are operated during the day by JR Bus and Entetsu Bus (4 hr 45 min, from ¥3900).
JR Bus runs an overnight service from Kobe (Sannomiya Bus Terminal), Osaka (JR Namba and Osaka Stations) and Kyoto Station to Hamamatsu (6 hr 30 min from Osaka Station, starting at ¥4200). Willer Express' overnight bus runs from Osaka (Universal Studios Japan and the Willer Bus Terminal in Umeda) and Kyoto Station (5 hr 10 min from Umeda, starting at ¥4200).

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), .

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).

• Act City

  phone: +81 53 451-1111
  address: Itaya-machi 111-1 - Naka-ku
  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 ObservatoryFrom 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.

• Chopin MonumentErected 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.

Futamata Castle Ruins

address: Futamata-cho Futamata - Tenryu-ku

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.

Hamamatsu Castle

phone: +81 53 453-3872

address: Motoshiro-cho 49-2 - Naka-ku

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 some Tokugawa armor and relics, a preserved well moved from elsewhere on the grounds as well as a miniature model of how the city might have looked 400 years ago.

Keta River

address: Haruno-cho Tenryu-ku

This beautiful mountain river flows for 66 km before it joins the Tenryu southwest of Haruno. It's a relaxing place for swimming or kayaking.

Kiga Sekisho

phone: +81 53 523-2855

address: Hosoe-cho Kiga 4577 - Kita-ku

This restored checkpoint along the Princess Road was established by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1601. Now dressed with authentic props, visitors can get a glimpse of how tightly controlled travel in that era was. The gate is especially impressive.

Mitake Castle Ruins

phone: +81 53 542-1113

address: Inasa-cho Mitake

A somewhat strenuous hike will bring you to the ruins of a castle built atop 467-m Mt. Mitake in 1340 by the Ii Clan.

Nakatajima Sand Dunes

phone: +81 53 452-1634

address: Nakatajima-cho - Minami-ku

The second largest grouping of sand dunes in Japan makes a great place for a stroll or picnic. Be careful if swimming, as there is somewhat of an undertow.

Ryugashi Cavern

phone: +81 53 543-0108

address: Inasa-cho Tabata 193 - Kita-ku

One of the largest and most famous caves in Japan. The first 400 m of the 1000-m limestone cavern are open to the public. Stalactites and stalagmites abound, and the centerpiece is a 30-m underground waterfall. This cave stays about 15°C year-round, making it a great place to cool off during the sweltering summer heat.

Takisawa Observation PlatformThis spot offers a beautiful vista of the city from which you can see all the way to Act City and all across Lake Hamana. Popular with local couples, the view is especially good at night when the city is lit up.

Tenryu RiverOne of Japan's largest rivers flows through the mountains of north Hamamatsu and along the edge of town from Tenryu-cho down to the coast. The meandering mountain portion and wide delta provide abundant opportunities for raftting, kayaking, and fishing, and there are many parks along its banks. The god of this river, Ryujin, is the guest of honor at many area festivals.

Washizawa Wind Cave

phone: +81 53 428-2965

address: Washizawa-cho 428 - Kita-ku

A less touristy alternative to Ryugashido, this limestone cave has cool winds blowing through it during the summertime. This is the only cave in Japan with a horizontal ceiling. The cave supposedly provided a refuge for warriors during the 1300s.

Museums

• Akino Fuku Art Museum

  phone: +81 53 922-0315
  address: Futamata-cho Futamata 130 Tenryu-ku
  This museum is housed in an interesting building made mostly from local cedar and other products. The permanent collection has many pieces by the late artist Akino Fuku, as well as other pieces.

• Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments

  phone: +81 53 451-1128
  address: 108-1 Itaya-machi - Naka-ku
  This museum, just northeast of Act City Tower, houses a collection of over 2,000 kinds of ethnic instruments from around the world. Each instrument has a display attached, with headphones so you can listen to the sound of the instrument. The museum also has a hands-on room, where you can play many types of instruments; drums, xylophones, sitars and native Japanese instruments. This is a child friendly museum.

• Hamamatsu City Museum

  phone: +81 53 456-2275
  address: Shijimizuka 4-22-1 - Naka-ku
  This museum, which is on the grounds of a pleasant park, is dedicated to the history of Hamamatsu and the surrounding area. Exhibits include locally-found pre-historic fossils, ancient pottery, old maps, and farming and domestic implements up through the Edo era. Also on the grounds are some shell mounds, evidence of pre-historic human life in the area. A reconstruction of a Jomon village has been installed among the mounds, giving the visitor an idea of what life was like here three to four thousand years ago. The name of the park and also the neighborhood, Shijimizuka, means "shell mound".

• Hamamatsu Festival Hall

  phone: +81 53 441-6211
  address: Nakatajima-cho 1313 - Minami-ku
  This museum gives visitors a taste of the famous Hamamatsu Festival year round, with its huge kites, festival clothing, lanterns, and banners. Videos show how the kites are made, flown and fought.

• Hamamatsu JASDF Air Park

  phone: +81 53 472-1111
  address: Nishiyama-cho Nishi-ku, no number
  This museum displays many aircraft used or in former use by JASDF, and many other aviation-related items. It also has a flight simulator and a theater which runs informative documentaries every 30 minutes (Japanese only).

• Hamamatsu Municipal Museum of Art

  phone: +81 53 454-6801
  address: Matsushiro-cho 100-1 - Naka-ku
  Just one stop up the road from city hall is Hamamatsu's art museum. Exhibits vary.

• Hamamatsu Science Museum

  phone: +81 53 454-0178
  address: Kitaterajima-cho 256-3 - Naka-ku
  A range of interactive exhibits divided into five zones: nature, space, sound, light, and electricity. The third floor holds a planetarium.

• Lake Hamana Music Box Museum

  phone: +81 53 487-2121
  address: Kanzanji-cho 1891 - Nishi-ku
  The collection includes dozens of self-playing orgels and music boxes from around the world. Performances begin hourly at 20 after the hour, and there is also a special hands-on exhibit. The view of Lake Hamana from outside the museum is spectacular as well.

Temples and shrines

• Choraku-ji Temple

  phone: +81 53 522-0478
  address: Hosoe-chō Kiga 4578 - Kita-ku
  This temple, built at the start of the Heian era, has a charming garden with plum trees, and is especially beautiful with the change of the leaves in the fall.

• Daifuku-ji Temple

  phone: +81 53 525-0278
  address: Mikkabi-chō Fukunaga 220 - Kita-ku
  Mountain temple overlooking the small Inohana lake. Check out the Deva statues at the gate. This is an excellent place if you're in town during cherry blossom time, and if you miss it, check out the Hantoshi-zakura cherry blossoms which are in bloom from mid-autumn to early spring.

• Gosha and Suwa Shrines

  address: Togi-machi 302-5 - Naka-ku
  Built in 1580 and 1556 respectively, these side-by-side shrines were reconstructed in the 1940s and serve downtown locals. Especially interesting at the shrine festival on May 4 or at Shichigosan on November 15 when local families wrap their small children in kimonos and come here to pray.

• Hōrin-ji Temple

  phone: +81 53 542-1473
  address: Hosoe-chō Nakagawa 65-2
  Established by an invited Chinese Zen master in 1667, this temple is a fine example of late Ming Dynasty Chinese architecture. The Buddha hall and the priest's residence are designated National Important Cultural Properties.

• Kamoe Kannon

  address: Kamoe 4-17-1
  This bright-orange-and-white modern temple is one of the most important downtown temples. It is a good place to see the locals all dressed in kimonos on holidays such as New Year's Day.

• Makaya-ji Temple

  address: Mikkabi-chō Makaya 421 - Kita-ku
  Here you will find the oldest garden in the prefecture, reminiscent of Kyoto's Koke-dera. The temple was built in 726 and contains some important cultural artifacts. Especially impressive is the wooden statue of Senju-Kannon with one thousand arms.

• Okuyama Hōkō-ji

  phone: +81 53 543-0003
  address: Inasa-chō Okuyama 1577-1 - Kita-ku
  This Zen temple, nestled among pines, sakura, peach, and other things, was established in 1377 and is the home of the Rinsai Sect, housing three much-revered Buddha statues. With over sixty halls, it is one of the biggest temples in the Tokai area. The small Shichison Bosatsudo is the oldest wooden building in the prefecture and a fine example of 14th century Japanese architecture. Visitors can walk through the buildings- no shoes allowed.

• Ryōtan-ji Temple

  phone: +81 53 542-0480
  address: Inasa-chō Iinoya 1989 - Kita-ku
  The main hall here has "nightingale flooring" much like Nijo castle in Kyoto. When walked on, the flooring makes subtle bird sounds to warn of intruders. The garden here is a nationally designated scenic beauty. On the south side of the temple is a well which belonged to the founder of the Ii clan in the early 11th century.

• Yamazumi Shrine

  phone: +81 53 987-1179
  address: Misakubo-chō Yamazumi 230 - Tenryū-ku
  This mountain shrine was built in 709 and is well-known for its cult of wolf-worship. The grounds also have two ancient cedars over 1200 years old.

Parks

• Bentenjima Kaihin Park

  phone: +81 53 592-0757
  address: Maisaka-chō Bentenjima 3775-2
  This beautiful spot has a beach and boardwalk, with a lovely view of a torii perched on an island in the middle of the bay. The fireworks display in late June is extremely popular, bringing in dozens of food stalls, and thousands of people.

• Hamamatsu Castle Park

  address: Motoshiro-chō - Naka-ku
  North of the castle is a very big park with a Japanese garden, a koi pond, a ceremonial teahouse (see Drink below), and some commons areas. This is the best downtown location to go to see cherry blossoms in the spring.

• Hamamatsu Flower Park

  phone: +81 53 487-0511
  address: Kanzanji-chō 195 - Nishi-ku
  This beautiful park has many gardens full of 3000 types of flowers, with over 100,000 plants in all. There is also a restaurant and shopping area.

• Hamamatsu Fruit Park

  phone: +81 53 428-5211
  address: Miyakoda-chō 4263-1 - Kita-ku
  This unique amusement park is a working fruit farm where you can see, touch, taste, and pick a variety of fruits.

• Hamamatsu Municipal Zoo

  phone: +81 53 487-1122
  address: Kanzanji 199 - Nishi-ku
  Well worth stopping if you are in Kanzanji. In the autumn, special evening hours allow to you visit the zoo after dark.

• Hamanako Garden Park

  phone: +81 53 488-1500
  address: Murakushi-chō 5475-1 - Nishi-ku
  A big green park at the end of a peninsula on Lake Hamana. Features include a 5-hectare lawn, a waterworks plaza that encourages you to get wet, an exhibit hall, an observation tower, children's playground, a restaurant, and diverse flower gardens.

• Observation towerThis 50-meter tower has a covered observation deck with a nice view of the park and lake.

• Pal-Pal Amusement Park

  phone: +81 53 487-2121
  address: Kanzanji-chō 1891 - Nishi-ku
  Rollercoasters, Japan's longest raft ride, and a cable car ride over Lake Hamana are among the attractions at this park in Kanzanji.

• Torch Fishing

  phone: +81 53 592-2260
  address: Yūtō-chō 9985-3
  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.

• Wotto Hamanako Aquatic Experience Center

  phone: +81 53 592-2880
  address: Maisaka-chō Maisaka 5005-1 - Nishi-ku
  At this hands-on aquarium, you can see, touch, and learn about aquatic life in Lake Hamana.

• Hamanako Pleasure Boat

  phone: +81 53 526-7066
  address: Mikkabi-chō Oosaki 1899
  This ferry runs between Kanzanji Hot Spring and Mikkabi-cho, giving some nice views of Lake Hamana. The round trip takes about an hour.

• Miyakoda Hiking CourseThis "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.

• Yu Fukei Shiori

  phone: +81 53 478-2626
  address: Takabayashi 1-chome 13-13 - Naka-ku
  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.

• Hamamatsu Racetrack

  phone: +81 53 471-0311
  address: Wago-cho 936-19
  National auto and motorcycle racing events.

Festivals

• Shoryu Weeping Plum Blossom Festival

  address: Kurematsu-chou 1476-1, Nishi-ku
  Trees are pruned to look like dragons on clouds in the sky.

• Princess Road Procession

  phone: +81 53-523-0713
  address: Hosoe-cho, Kita-ku
  During the Edo Period this road was a popular excursion spot for princesses. This matsuri re-enacts what the procession was like, with actors in full authentic dress of samurai, maids, servants and, of course, the princess with her palanquin.

• Hamamatsu Festival

  address: downtown and Nakatajima
  This 450-year-old festival is one of the most famous Golden Week festivals in Japan. In what is known as the Takoage Gassen, every neighborhood in the city and even some from other cities design and make their own kites to fly and to fight near at the festival grounds near Nakatajima Sand Dunes, with each kite representing a son born to a family of the neighborhood within the last year. The kite-fighting takes place on the third day of the 3-day festival and results entertainingly in downed kites in trees and on rooftops all over the neighborhood. In the Sunken Garden space on the north side of Act City, there is an international food court with many exotic stalls, and a stage for all kinds of music and cultural performances from around the world, including taiko drumming, local yaramaika music, Thai kickboxing, Brazilian batucada and samba dancing performances, jazz acts, jugglers, and traditional dances. There are also parades all over the city well into the night, in which children playing various instruments are carried in 70 large ornate parade floats. Everywhere there are groups marching and chanting to the sound of trumpets, and the sake flows freely.

• Hamakita Hiryū Festival

  address: various locations around Hamakita: Tenryu Nakase Ryokuchi (park along the river), Hamakita Culture Center (west of the Akaden Hamakita stop), Nayuta (in front of Hama-kita station)
  In honor of Ryūjin, god of the Tenryuu River, various events are held including kite-flying, a gyoza competition, and a special event celebrating fire, water, and sound.

• Hamamatsu Yukata Festival

  phone: +81 53 460-1996
  Hamamatsu is one of Japan's leading producers of the patterned, dyed fabric used to make yukata, and this small festival celebrates the beauty of this colored "summer kimono" with musical performances, food stalls, a yukata contest, and other exhibitions.

• Enshu Buddhist Chanting Ritual

  phone: +81 53 586-6201
  address: All across town
  In this local traditional performance, a procession of chanters and people with flutes, drums, cymbals and lanterns visit the homes of families who have lost a loved one in the last year.

• Misakubo Festival

  phone: +81 53 987-0432
  address: Misakubo-cho
  This mountain festival features a costume contest in the afternoon and parades of costumed men carrying elaborate floats in the evening.

• Hamakita Man'yō Festival

  phone: +81 53 586-8700
  address: Hiraguchi 5051-1, Hamakita-ku
  Features re-enactments of life in the Nara and early Heian periods with people dressed in authentic period clothing and dramatic Manyo poetry readings.

• Sakuma Dam Festival

  phone: +81 53 965-1651
  address: Sakuma-cho Sakuma - Tenryu-ku
  This festival pays tribute to Ryujin, god of the Tenryu River, and commemorates the 1956 opening of Sakuma Dam, a great engineering feat of its time. Highlights include a colorful dragon god dance, taiko drumming, fireworks over the lake, and many vendors displaying local products.

• Inasa Puppet Festival

  phone: +81 53 542-1111
  address: various locations in Inasa-cho - Kita-ku
  A rarity in Japan, this festival brings puppeteers from across the country for three full days of over 60 performances. Great for kids.

• Akiba Fire Festival

  phone: +81 53 985-0111
  address: Haruno-cho Ryouke 841 - Tenryu-ku
  Celebrating the supposed fire-prevention powers of Mt. Akiba, this festival is held at Akiba Temple and Shrine atop the famous mountain, with fire-walking, fire dances, and various weapon dances.
• Hanabi Taikai - There are many fireworks displays in the area during the summer. The largest of these is Fukuroi Enshu no Hanabi held in Fukuroi, a small town a few stops east on the JR line. This celebration in early August is one of the largest fireworks displays in Japan, with over 30,000 fireworks. Within Hamamatsu city limits, there are also impressive hanabi taikais in Bentenjima (late June), Kanzanji (late July), and Tenryu (early August).
• There are also various festivals and performance to celebrate the Japanese-Brazilian heritage that is so prevalent in this area.

• Entetsu Department Store

  phone: +81 53 457-0001
  address: Sunayama-cho 320-2 - Naka-ku
  High quality clothing and other items. The basement contains a wonderful grocery and deli.
• Aeon/Jusco 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).

• Ichino Jusco

  address: 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.

• Irino Jusco

  phone: +81 449-2611
  address: Irino-cho 6244-1 - Nishi-ku
  Smallest yet closer to downtown, this location is bit more like a large department store.

• Shitoro Jusco

  phone: +81 53-415-1200
  address: Shitoro-cho 5605 - Nishi-ku

May One

phone: +81 53 457-4000

address: Sunayama-cho 6-1 - Naka-ku

Clothing shops, a bookstore, a CD shop, a Muji (top quality generic items), and an import store called Sony Plaza, among other things. There is a food court at the top and a high-quality grocery store in the basement.

Sun Street Hamakita

phone: +81 53 585-8333

address: Hiraguchi 2861 - Hamakita-ku

This shopping center contains a bathhouse, a Toho Cinema, arcades, a food court, a 24-hour Seiyu, and dozens of clothing stores.

ZaZa City

phone: +81 53 413-3333

address: Kaji-machi 150 - Naka-ku

Amongst varied clothing shops, ZaZa City has a musical instrument store, a movie theater, a supermarket, a manga store, a video arcade, Toys'R'Us, Starbucks, MosBurger, Baskin Robbins, Uniqlo and more. The bookstore in the basement lever has a decent selection of English books.

Budget

• Arisan

  phone: +81 53-466-0207
  address: Tamachi 330-1, Mabii Bldg. B1
  Taiwanese restaurant with a fairly wide selection of tasty dishes with good portion sizes for the price.

• Chambord

  address: 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.

• Gyoza no Kiyo

  phone: +81 53 454-1931
  address: Kamoe 1-chome 33-5 - Naka-ku
  Famous gyoza not far from downtown.

• Ishimatsu Gyoza

  phone: +81 53 586-8522
  address: Komatsu 2192-1 - Hamakita-ku
  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.

• Kibori

  phone: +81 53 447-5737
  address: Zoura-cho 563-3 - Minami-ku
  A very old establishment known for its lighter, less meaty gyoza. Ramen is also served.

• Kunma Suisha no Sato

  phone: +81 53 929-0636
  address: Kuma 1976-1 - Tenryu-ku
  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.

• Las ChillonasThe 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.

• Okonomiyaki Honpo

  phone: +81 53 478-2200
  address: Nakazawa-cho 23-1 - Naka-ku
  Very large and popular Kansai-style chain okonomiyaki restaurant.

• Pronto Cafe

  phone: +81 53 457-5851
  address: Sunayama-cho 320-2 - Naka-ku
  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.

• Toraya

  phone: +81 53 454-1710
  address: Sakana-machi 316-36 Kawaimaruki Bldg
  On the second floor above a fruit stand at Daiichi-dori and Yūraku-gai, this mom-and-pop shop has some of the best cook-it-yourself okonomiyaki in town.

• Ani&Ivan

  phone: +81 53-545-9161
  address: 414-2, Kanda-cho, Naka-ku
  Satisfying yet cheap Indonesian food, including Halal. The ¥1000 set is a surprisingly good deal for a lunch set—try the Gurame. Indonesian, Japanese, and limited English is spoken.

Mid-range

• Binchou OogiyaA chain of yakitori shops, with some of the cheapest beer in town. Of the 7 stores, there are three within walking distance of the central JR station:

• phone: +81 53 450-7517
  address: Kaji-machi 319-23 - Naka-ku

• phone: +81 53 450-8870
  address: Sunayama-cho 326-1 - Naka-ku

• phone: +81 53 459-1788
  address: Chitose-cho 104-2 - Naka-ku
  This location has a popular patio, good for people-watching.

Choupana

phone: +81 53-472-0777

address: Sumiyoshi 3-chome 23-23 - Naka-ku

Popular Brazilian all-you-can-eat rodizio with salad bar, rice and beans, salgados, feijoada and a wide selection of cuts served tableside, including various beef cuts, chicken, chicken hearts, lamb, and pork.

Garuda

phone: +81 53 454-7524

address: Ike-machi 225-32 - Naka-ku

The menu here is about half Indonesian and half Nepalese. There is also a import grocery store attached, with items from various Asian countries.

Hoji Pass Soba

phone: +81 53 987-1888

address: Sakuma-cho Sakuma 1832-1 - Tenryu-ku

The simple hand-made soba noodles made at this beautiful remote mountain spot draw visitors from across the Tokai region. It is also possible to try your hand at making the noodles yourself.

Inakaya

address: 315-31 Nakaku tamachi

Good selection of local dishes. Basic décor.

Kanerin

phone: +81 53-448-9335

address: 731 Irinocho

Excellent selection of eel dishes. Need someone with knowledge of Japanese to order.

Payaka

phone: +81 53 451 6906

address: Kamoe 4-chome 19-12 - Naka-ku

Mixture of Indonesian, and Thai food. Theme is "island life". Located a little bit out of the center (5 minutes by taxi), but truly a hidden pearl. Large terrace for summer nights, and very cozy/loungy interior. There is also a little shop selling jewelry and the like.

Servitu

phone: +81 53 458-8577

address: Sunayama-cho 323-5 - Naka-ku

Servitu is part Brazilian buffet restaurant and part import grocery store.

Surabaya

phone: +81 53 413-2723

address: Chitose-cho 108 - Naka-ku

Slightly over-priced but satisfying Indonesian cuisine.

Yaotoku

phone: +81 53 452-5687

address: Itaya-machi 655 - Naka-ku

Hamamatsu's most famous unagi restaurant, this place has been featured on national television programs many times in the past.

Splurge

• Chez Moriya

  phone: +81 53 454-0888
  address: Hamamatsu-shi, Naka-ku, Itaya-machi 2-banchi
  Chez Moriya features a chef who has worked in several top restaurants in Europe (including Belgian Comme Chez Soi" and Paris L'Arpege). The chef who is by the way very friendly, speaks French plus English.

• The Oriental Terrace

  phone: +81 53-447-3241
  address: 6 Chome-8-30 Sanarudai
  Overlooking Lake Sanaru. Well layout out and decorated building, suited for small functions.

• Shokudo-en

  phone: +81 53 454-3050
  address: 1 Chome-3-26 Kamiasada
  This somewhat upscale Korean-style barbecue restaurant is very popular. Try the ishiyaki bibimbap.

• Shointei Tea Ceremony House

  address: Shikatani-cho 11-4
  At this pleasant teahouse you can experience a traditional tea ceremony while taking in a nice garden view.

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.

• Bar Mar

  phone: +81 53-482-8700
  address: Naka-ku Chitose-cho 203
  Spanish tapas bar with a decent wine selection. Mostly Japanese clientèle.

• Big Fire

  phone: +81 53-441-0670
  address: Naka-ku Shinmei-cho 218-17 Shinmei Bld. 3F
  Relaxed bar run by a Brazilian and his Russian wife.

• Entetsu Beer Garden

  phone: +81 53 457-0001
  address: Sunayama-cho 320-2 - Naka-ku
  A fairly standard Japanese-style beer garden: mediocre food, cold beer, fresh air. June through the end of August.

• Hambolt

  address: Sakana-machi, Chambord Bldg. B1
  This small club/bar hosts frequent reggae events. On Fridays they charge only ¥3000 for all-you-can-drink highballs, all night long.

• Mein Schloss

  phone: +81 120-63-1146
  address: Chuo 3-8-1 - Naka-ku
  A very large German beer hall which brews its own beer. A good spot if you have a big group.

• Motion

  phone: +81 90-3449-6885
  address: Naka-ku, Daiku-machi 15, Daichi Bldg. 3rd Floor
  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.

• No Name Bar

  phone: +81 53 456-8218
  address: Kaji-machi 318-45
  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.

• Klan Klub

  address: Itaya-machi 102-14, B1 - Naka-ku
  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.

• K'noas

  phone: +81 53 449-2204
  address: Sunayama-higashi
  Medium-sized Peruvian-owned club. The music ranges from salsa and forró to rock to house, sometimes all in one night. This place can get very crowded on weekend nights. The crowd is typically about half Peruvian and half Brazilian. To find it, go south of the JR station and take a left on the first main street.

• Planet Cafe

  phone: +81 53 451-3477
  address: Motoshiro-cho 223-1
  A medium-sized club with a mostly Japanese crowd which has DJ events that are often really good.

• Second

  phone: +81 53 455-3530
  address: Tenma-cho 312-22 Kanaiya Daini Bldg. 8F - Naka-ku
  A small Japanese dance club on an upper floor across from the Toys'R'Us store in ZaZa City. Plays house or hip-hop. Cover is usually ¥2000.

Venues

• Force

  phone: +81 53 4503-3403
  address: Ta-machi 315-31 - Naka-ku
  A good ol' rock-n-roll venue that features rock and punk bands, both Japanese and Brazilian, with the occasional road show coming through. Open at least every F Sa, sometimes other days.

• G-Side

  phone: +81 53 541-5067
  address: Ta-machi 327-27 - Naka-ku
  Local and national acts.

• Madowaku

  phone: +81 53 451-3035
  address: Itaya-machi 100-10 - Naka-ku
  This venue attracts a primarily young Japanese indie crowd for local, national, and occasional international acts.

• Mescaline Drive

  phone: +81 53 454-7363
  address: Asahi-cho 10-23 - Naka-ku
  A tiny hole-in-the-wall live venue with mostly ska bands.

• Rock Bar Lucretia

  phone: +81 53 451-5838
  address: Tenma-cho 310-8, Daiichi Kanai Bldg. 5f - Naka-ku
  This bar has frequent live rock and DJ events with cheap drinks and an almost entirely Japanese clientèle.
• The circular performance space between the two ZaZa City buildings also has frequent live performances on weekend afternoons.
• Schedules for the concert hall at Act City can be obtained at the HICE information center. See below.

Budget

• Business Hotel Tsujiume Honkan

  phone: +81 53 453-1712
  address: Sunayama-cho 355-2

• Hotel Villa Kuretake

  phone: +81 53 453-0880
  address: 1-1-26 Higashi Iba
  Relatively spacious rooms with room service from 5 on-site restaurants, a laundry service and in-room broadband connections.

• Nagisa Park Campground

  phone: +81 53 592-7544
  address: Maisaka-cho Bentenjima 5005-1 - Nishi-ku
  Lakeside camping with barbecue grill rental, bicycle rentals and sporting facilities.

• Ryokan Nakaya

  phone: +81 53 487-0159
  address: Kanzanji-cho 2214 - Nishi-ku
  A small ryokan with a hot spring bath with a lake view. Breakfast is included—note that dinner is not included here.

• Toyoko Inn Hamamatsu-eki Kita-guchi

  phone: +81 53-457-1045
  address: 103-1 Itaya-machi
  Part of the popular no-frills Toyoko Inn chain of hotels. Toyoko Inn Club members can check in from 15:00.

• Urakawa Campground

  phone: +81 53 967-2449
  address: Sakuma-cho Urakawa 3454-12 - Tenryu-ku
  Campsites and simple lodgings on an beautiful green island at the convergence of two mountain rivers. Campfire pits, showers, and shared toilets. The locale is good for swimming in summertime.

Mid-range

• Bentenjima Village

  phone: +81 53 437-0601, +81 53 984-0114
  address: Haruno-cho Kawakami 383-2 - Tenryu-ku
  Log cabins for up to 5 in a quiet spot in the woods. Cabins have television but share a (separate) bath/shower. Campsites are also available, as is a log house for up to 15. Despite the name, this is nowhere near Bentenjima—you will likely need a car to get here.

• Bentenkan

  phone: +81 53 592-8000
  address: Maisaka-cho Bentenjima 2669-151 - Nishi-ku
  Seaside rooms at this relatively new hotel have a fantastic view of the torii in the bay and the Bentenjima bridge with the ocean in the background. A restaurant on site serves fresh seafood caught in the lake.

• Fitness Hotel 330

  phone: +81 53-454-0330
  353-1, Sunayama-cho,

• Hotel Bouquet Tokai

  phone: +81 53-456-8111
  353-7 Sunayama-cho,

• Hamanako Royal Hotel

  phone: +81 53 592-2222
  address: Yuto-cho Yamazaki 4396-1 - Nishi-ku
  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.

• Hotel Concorde

  phone: +81 53-457-1111
  address: Motoshiro-cho 109-18
  Formerly the city's main conference venue, this older hotel is now a fairly good bargain for good sized rooms with a nice view of the castle park. 6 on-site restaurants, broadband service, and on-site car rentals are available.

• Hotel LeMonde

  phone: +81 53-455-1188
  address: 335-14 Sunayama-cho

• Hotel Yonekyu

  phone: +81 53-455-3131
  address: 94 Tenma-cho Hamamatsu-shi

• Maruko Inn

  phone: +81 53-457-0505
  address: 324-15 Sunayama-cho

• Meijiya Hotel

  phone: +81 53-465-8111
  address: 1-1-30 Sato

• Roynet Hotel

  address: 218-1 Motoshiro-cho (元城町)
  This hotel is 2 minutes walk from city hall and Hamamatsu Castle Park. Excellent breakfast buffet.

• Sago Inn

  phone: +81 53-456-3511
  address: 2-3-1 Ebizuka

• Sago Terminal Hotel

  phone: +81 53-453-3515
  address: 322-7 Sunayama-cho

• South Garden Hotel

  phone: +81 53-451-1800
  address: 325-30 Sunayama-cho
  Just south of the central train station on the left.

Splurge

• Grand Hotel

  phone: +81 53-452-2114
  address: 1-3-1 Higashi Iba (東井場).
  A large hotel with restaurants, bars and function rooms. Some rooms starting to show their age.

• Okura HotelInside Act Tower.

• Tourist information center

• HICE

  phone: +81 53 458-2170
  address: Naka-ku, Sunayama-cho 324-8, Daiichi Ito Building 9F
  This center has a native English speaking employee and a lot of information in English regarding local events and culture.

Internet

• Popeye Media Cafe

  phone: +81 53 413-2727
  address: Chitose-cho 70-1 Fun Bldg. 3F - Naka-ku
  24-hour internet and manga café. Showers and massage chairs are available.

• U-Lowc

  phone: +81 53 450-2700
  address: Kaji-machi 320-23 Q:Face Bldg. 1F - Naka-ku
  This coffeeshop has free wireless internet as well as decent food and drinks, with a full bar to boot.
• Yu-Yu, on the City Hall road about 10 blocks south of City Hall. Internet cafe with pool tables.

• Arai Sekisho and Hatago-Kinokuniya Archives

  phone: +81 53 594-3615
  address: Arai-chō Hamana-gun Arai 1227-5
  This important travel checkpoint on the Tokaido highway was established in 1600 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, and is the only surviving original building of such a checkpoint. The checkpoint enforced strict regulations to keep guns out of Totomi precinct, and to keep women in. The archives hall next door contains old checkpoint records.

• Hamanako Boat Races

  phone: +81 53 594-7111
  address: Arai-chō Nakanogō 3727-7
  One of Japan's only venues to watch boat racing.

• Honkō-ji Temple

  phone: +81 53 576-0054
  address: Washizu 384 - Kosai-shi
  The main hall is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. There is also a park here, a nice place to picnic.
• Kakegawa (掛川), half an hour east, has a better castle and park.

• Acty Mori

  phone: +81 53 885-0115
  address: Mori-machi Shuchi-gun Toizume 1115-1
  This hand-on center offers visitors a chance to try their hands at several traditional Japanese crafts, including Tōgei pottery, roof-tile making, paper-making, and traditional cloth-dyeing using local plants. The center also provides for some outdoor activities like cycling and canoeing.

• Okuni Shrine

  phone: +81 53 524-1112
  address: Mori-machi Shuchi-gun Ichimiya 3956-1
  Construction on this beautiful shrine began in 555. The shrine is dedicated to the god Okuninushi no Mikoto, a benevolent god involved in the mythical creation of the archipelago, and a key figure in the famous story of the White Rabbit of Inaba (see Tottori). Very popular with Ieyasu Tokugawa and other members of his clan, this is still the most popular shrine in the ancient Totomi region. It is an especially popular place to pray for good luck, good marriages, or simply to view the autumn foliage.
• Omaezaki (御前崎) is a beautiful little beach town.