1
Hamamatsu Castle Park

Although located in the center of the city, this park covers an area of approximately 16,000 m2 . Hamamatsu Castle, located within the park, was the foothold for Tokugawa Ieyasu's unification of Japan, where he resided for 17 years in his youth. Although the castle was abandoned after the Meiji Restoration, the ruins were turned into a park after the war, and the castle tower was rebuilt in 1958 with donations from citizens. Inside the castle tower, which consists of three stories and four floors, are exhibits of swords, armor, and other valuable armors. In addition, there is a permanent section that introduces Ieyasu's background and the history of the area. The "3D Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu," a reproduction of Ieyasu at around age 30, is a must-see, and even his palms, wrinkles, and pores are reproduced. The top floor is an observation corridor that offers an excellent view of Hamamatsu City.

Central Park of Hamamatsu where citizens can relax

Hamamatsu Castle Park, which spreads out around the castle tower, is covered with trees and has an open lawn, making it a relaxing place for locals to take it easy, even on weekdays. The park is also known as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and in late March, the park is decorated with approximately 360 cherry trees, including someiyoshino, shidare-zakura, yamazakura, and others. A Japanese garden in the form of a circular path around the castle is also famous for its maple trees, which turn red and yellow in the fall.
The park is also home to the Hamamatsu City Museum of Art, which collects and exhibits works by artists associated with the local area, such as the Western-style painter Kitahara Tamitsugu, and holds permanent exhibitions as well as special exhibitions of masterpieces from Japan and abroad.

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As you stroll around, you can sometimes see cute wild squirrels running and playing in the trees.

Hamamatsu Castle Park

• 100-2 Motoshiro-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 20 minutes walk from Hamamatsu Station
• From Hamamatsu Station, take Entei bus line 1 or 13, get off at "Shiyakusho Minami" and walk 6 min.
• Hamamatsu Castle 8:30-16:30 (admission until 16:20)
• Hamamatsu Castle December 29-31
• Park Free to stroll
  Hamamatsu Castle Adults 200 yen *Junior high school students and younger free
• 053-457-0088
• Free of charge

2
Ryotanji Temple

In the northern part of Lake Hamana, Okuhamana Lake, there is Ryutan-ji Temple, an old temple representing Hamamatsu. The temple is said to have been founded in 733 and is closely associated with the Ii clan, the lords of Toomi, which is now the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture. Naotora (Jirohoshi), who protected the Ii family as lord of the castle despite being a woman, and Nankei Zuimon, who continued to support Naomasa, were the chief priests of this temple. The cemetery on the temple grounds is lined with memorial towers for the generations of feudal lords.

Enshu Kobori's masterpiece garden, one of the most famous in the Tokai area

The six buildings on the temple grounds, including the main hall, Kaisando, and Otama-ya, are designated as cultural assets by the prefecture. There are many highlights in every detail of the buildings, such as the dragon sculpture in the main hall said to have been made by Hidari Jingoro, a master craftsman of the Edo period. The garden on the grounds is said to have been created by Enshu Kobori, a famous tea master and feudal lord in the service of Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. The garden is also designated as a place of scenic beauty by the national government. Visitors can stroll through the master craftsman's garden, which enchants visitors with its seasonal beauty: fresh greenery in spring, verdure in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and a garden of nothingness in winter. Touring the space will enrich your mind and soul.

Local Guide
Supporters

It is a quiet and calming place. The gardens are wonderful and you will be able to gaze at them for a long time.

Yongdam Temple

• 1989 Iiya, Hikisa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• Approx. 50 minutes from JR Hamamatsu Station by Entetsu Bus bound for Okuyama, approx. 10 minutes walk from Jinguji Bus Stop.
• 9:00-16:30 (closing at 17:00)
  From October 2025 9:00-16:00 (closing at 16:30)
• August 15, December 22-27 (temporary closing days)
• High school students and older: 500 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen
  From October 2025: Adults 700 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students 300 yen
• 053-542-0480
• Free of charge

3
Hamanako

Hamamatsu has a circumference of about 128 km and a total area of about 70 ㎢. Hamana Lake, which straddles Hamamatsu City and Kosai City, is a brackish lake with a mixture of seawater and freshwater, and is home to a wide variety of fish and shellfish. The lake has long been known for its eel, nori-nori (Japanese butterfish), and suppon (soft-shelled turtle) cultivation.
Kanzanji Hot Spring, located on a peninsula on the lake's eastern shore, is a major tourist attraction along the lakeshore. The center of the hot spring resort, which opened about 60 years ago, is lined with hot spring inns, and in the vicinity are various tourist properties such as the Kanzanji Ropeway, Hamamatsu City Zoo, and Hamanako Pal Pal, a resort-type amusement park.
On the other hand, Omotehamana Lake, located in the southern part of the lake with its symbolic tower, also known as the Akatorii (red torii), standing in the middle of the lake, attracts many tourists, especially to the Bentenjima area where you can enjoy hot springs, sea bathing, and ebb tide fishing.

Enjoy the charm of Lake Hamana from the lakeside, on the lake, and in the air.

The best way to enjoy the scenery of Lake Hamana, which is rich in nature, is to take advantage of the rides. The Kanzanji Ropeway, which goes from Hamanako Pal Pal to the top of Mount Okusa, offers a panoramic view of the magnificent Lake Hamana below. For a panoramic view from the lake, take the Hamanako Pleasure Boat. There are courses that cross the lake from east to west and a round-the-lake course, so you can enjoy the varied and spectacular scenery while feeling the wind. If you want to enjoy the lakeside scenery at your leisure, rent a bicycle. There are seven terminals around the lake, and bicycles can be returned to other terminals, making it very convenient. We recommend the course from the Bentenjima Seaside Park terminal to the Tateyama-ji terminal. There are sections with well-maintained bicycle paths, so you can enjoy comfortable cycling to the fullest.

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The waves are calm, so you can also enjoy leisure activities such as windsurfing and fishing.

Lake Hamana

• Hamamatsu City and Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• From Hamamatsu Station, take the Entei bus bound for Hamanako Garden Park (approx. 60 min.), and get off at the last stop (varies according to location).
• 053-452-1634（Hamamatsu City Tourist Information Center)
• Free of charge

4
Ryugan-do (Dragon Rock Cave)

Ryugaishi Mountain, located in the northern part of Hamamatsu City, has a large rock with three deeply carved grooves where a dragon is said to have left its claw marks, which is said to be the origin of the mountain's name. The cave "Ryugaisando" discovered on the mountainside is one of the largest limestone caves in the Tokai region, with a total length of more than 1,000 meters. Inside the cave, which was formed in a limestone area about 250 million years ago, stalactites, which are said to take 100 years to grow 1 cm, create a wide variety of natural objects. Currently, only a 400-meter U-shaped course is open to the public. The temperature inside the caves is around 18 degrees Celsius all year round, regardless of the season. The coolness in summer is truly a natural refrigerator.

A series of new attractions, including a spectacular underground waterfall

The course is lined with stalactites of various shapes created by nature, such as "Crocodile Rock" and "Maria Kannon," and there are up to 50 of them. The highlight of the tour is the "Great Golden Falls," which appear in the middle of the course. The water cascades down from the top of the cave at a height of about 30 meters, making it one of the largest underground waterfalls in Japan. A complete tour of the course takes about 30 minutes. The ceiling is just as high as a person's back and only 30 to 40 cm wide in some places, making the tour a bit of an adventure.
After the tour, take a break and enjoy an ice cream from the gelato store "Materia" in the Hakkakudo store. The ice cream has been voted "No. 1 ice cream" by Shizuoka Prefecture bus guides, and there are about 20 varieties available, ranging from classic favorites such as white cream, green tea, and chocolate to the tangy wasabi.

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Fruit bats are open to the public twice a day, once at 11:00 a.m. and once at 2:00 p.m., for their meal time.

Ryugaiwa Cave

• 193 Tabata, Hikisa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 60 min. on the Entei Bus bound for Okuyama from Hamamatsu Stn. 7 min. walk from Ryugaiwa-do Iriguchi bus stop.
• 9:00-17:00
• No holidays
• Adults 1,000 yen Elementary/junior high school students 600 yen
• 053-543-0108
• Free of charge

5
Unagi Pie Factory

The "Eel Pie Factory," a tour facility, is located in the factory, which produces approximately 200,000 "eel pies" a day since 1961. Tours are all free of charge, ranging from free tours that do not require reservations to "factory tours" in which a concierge explains the production process. Inside the factory, visitors can observe how eel pies are baked in the oven and the automated packaging process, and the "Eel Pie Theater," where visitors can study the deliciousness of eel pies, is also popular. With an eel-shaped railing and a giant eel pie object, visitors can enjoy learning about eel pie at every turn.

After the tour, enjoy original sweets from the café.

After the tour, take a break at the "Eel Pie Cafe. Original sweets such as "eel pie mille-feuille" made with "eel pie minis," homemade gelato, and seasonal fruits are a must-try. Also, looking for souvenirs at the "factory-direct store" is a fun time. In addition to the various lineups of eel pies, a wide variety of sweets are available, including limited-time-only products.

Local Guide
Supporters

You can also get a souvenir of the factory tour. At first glance, you may think it is an omelet, but the texture of the finely chopped eel pie is addictive!

Eel Pie Factory

• 748-51 Okubo-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• From Hamamatsu Station, take the Entei bus bound for Kamigaya or Yamazaki (approx. 30 min.), get off at Okubo and walk approx. 20 min.
• 10:00-17:30 (Eel Pie Cafe L.O. 17:00) *Varies depending on the season.
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 053-482-1765
• Free of charge

6
Niihama Checkpoint and Niihama-juku Hanaya Kinokuniya Museum

In the Edo period (1603-1867), among the 53 barrier stations located throughout Japan, "Nii" was the most important point on the Tokaido Highway, along with Hakone. At the site of Nii Sekisho, which was strictly guarded, the "Mengansho" remains as it was in the old days. Fortunately, even after the abolition of the barrier, it continued to be used as a school and a town hall, and this is the only remaining building of its kind in Japan. Because of its high historical value, it has been designated as a special national historic site.
The "Sekisho Historical Museum," which is located next to the barrier, exhibits materials related to the barrier and the highway. A few minutes' walk from the barrier is "Kinokuniya," a building reconstructed in the Meiji period (1868-1912) that was once the official inn of the Kishu clan, one of the three Tokugawa families. This building is used as the "Niijuku Ryoron Kinokuniya Museum.

Local Guide
Supporters

This Property is a place where visitors can experience the atmosphere of the time when it existed as an inn. The dishes that were served in those days are also reproduced for your viewing pleasure.

Nii Sekisho and Niijuku Kinokuniya Museum

• Nii Sekisho: 1227-5 Nii, Nii-cho, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture
  Niijuku Ryoron Kinokuniya Museum: 1280-1 Nii, Nii-cho, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• Nii Sekisho: 10-minute walk from Nii-machi Station
  Niijuku Ryorome Kinokuniya Museum: 7-minute walk from Nii-machi Station
• 9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
  Niijuku Ryorome Kinokuniya Museum: 9:00 - 16:30 (Reception desk closes at 16:00)
• Mondays (open if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays *Open all year round in August
• Adults 410 yen, Elementary/Junior high school students 150 yen (common ticket for Nii Sekisho and Niijuku Ryoron Kinokuniya Museum)
• 053-594-3615
• Free of charge

7
Bentenjima Seaside Park

Bentenjima is a 3-minute walk from JR Bentenjima Station and is located at the entrance to Lake Hamana, which connects to the Sea of Enshu. Bentenjima Seaside Park, located on the south shore of the island, is a popular spot where visitors can enjoy a full range of lake activities, including swimming, ebb and flow fishing, fishing, and sightseeing boats. The park also has a 500-meter east-west promenade lined with palm trees, where visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the beach and feel like they are in a tropical paradise.
The park also offers a spectacular view of the symbolic torii-shaped tower standing on the lake, a sight that is worth the trouble of visiting. Especially from November to February, you will be captivated by the spectacular sight of the sun setting just inside the tower.

Local Guide
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The ocean and the torii gate are picturesque. There are also covered benches on the beach for visitors to relax.

Bentenjima Seaside Park

• 3775-2 Bentenjima, Maisaka-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 3 min. walk from JR Bentenjima Stn.
• Open daily (office open Dec. 29-Jan. 4)
• 053-592-0757（Maisaka-cho Tourist Association)
• Charged

8
Takizawa Observation Deck

Located 350 meters above sea level in the mountains in the northern part of Hamamatsu City, it is one of the best observation spots in the city. From the observatory, you can see the countryside, the city, and even the Sea of Enshu in the distance. The adjacent wind turbines can be seen up close, and the more you look up, the larger and more powerful they appear. The sound of the wind turbines is so realistic that you can almost hear them.
At night, this is a great spot to enjoy the night view of the city. On a clear day, the night view is even more brilliant. There are no lights between the parking lot and the observatory, so be sure to bring a flashlight when viewing the night view.

Local Guide
Supporters

The road is narrow, so be careful, but the view is spectacular!

Takizawa Observatory

• 1-122 Takizawa-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 20 min. drive from Hamamatsu SA Smart IC on the New Tomei Expressway
• 053-523-1114 (Hamamatsu City Community Development Promotion Division)
• Free of charge