1
Hamamatsu Zoo

Located about a 5-minute walk from the Kanzanji Onsen bus stop, this zoo is adjacent to Hamamatsu Flower Park. The park, which makes use of the natural terrain along the shores of Lake Hamana, houses and exhibits about 80 species of animals, including large animals such as tigers, lions, giraffes, and polar bears.

Monkeys you can only see here in Japan

One of the highlights of this zoo is the variety of monkey species. With a primate house featuring gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans, a "monkey apartment" where you can see 22 rare species of monkeys from around the world, and a monkey mountain for Japanese macaques, you can observe the fascinating and diverse ecology of each species. Among them, the golden lion tamarin, which can only be seen here in Japan, is a must-see. It is a small monkey that inhabits the tropical rainforests of Brazil, characterized by its golden fur and a lion-like mane around its face.

In addition, you can enjoy animal interaction experiences, feeding goats and sheep, and observe the polar bears and tigers during their feeding times (known as "Mogu-Mogu Time").

Local
Supporter

It is a zoo with a laid-back atmosphere. There are many slopes in the park, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Hamamatsu Zoo

• 199 Kanzanjicho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• From Hamamatsu Station, take the Entetsu Bus bound for Kanzanji Onsen and get off at "Dobutsuen" (Zoo), just a short walk away.
• 9:00–16:30 (Last admission 16:00)
• December 29–December 31
• Adults 500 yen, free for junior high school students and younger
• 053-487-1122
• Paid
• *The information provided is current as of the time of publication. Please check in advance as details may be subject to change.

2
Hamanako Pal Pal

A family-oriented resort amusement park located on the shores of Lake Hamana. It features over 25 types of attractions that children of all ages can enjoy, from rides suitable for toddlers to full-scale thrill rides. The "Pal Pal Family" characters, created by Anpanman author Takashi Yanase, are also very popular, and the stage events are always well-received. If you happen to run into these elusive characters while walking around the park, be sure to take a commemorative photo. The ability to easily interact with these cute characters is a unique charm of this place.
In addition, the park is well-equipped with facilities that parents will appreciate, such as nursing rooms, diaper-changing stations, stroller rentals, a lost child service, and restaurants with tatami seating.

Local
Supporter

Stage shows and seasonal events are held. The pool is also very popular in the summer!

Hamanako Palpal

• 1891 Kanzanjicho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• Take the Entetsu Bus bound for Kanzanji Onsen from Hamamatsu Station for about 45 minutes, and get off at "Hamanako Palpal".
• 9:30–16:30 *Varies by season and day of the week
• Irregular holidays *Varies by season and day of the week
• Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,400 yen
  Elementary school students 1,000 yen
  Toddlers (3 years and older) / Seniors (65 years and older) 900 yen
  *Weekend and holiday rates
• 053-487-2121
• Paid

3
Lake Hamana Experience Learning Facility WoT

Lake Hamana is a rare lake where fresh water and seawater mix, and it is home to a wide variety of living creatures. The "Lake Hamana Experience Learning Facility WoOtt" is an experiential facility where you can enjoy learning about the ecology of the creatures and fish that inhabit Lake Hamana.
The facility consists of four areas: the "Lake Theater," which screens an original film depicting the natural environment of Lake Hamana on a 150-inch large screen; the "Aqua Zone," which displays fish and shellfish inhabiting the area around Lake Hamana and the Enshu Sea in 20 tanks; the "Experience Zone," where the "Touch Tank" that allows you to touch tropical fish directly is popular; and the "Learning Zone."

Full of events that adults can enjoy too

Particularly popular is the "Large Tank Munch-Munch Lunch Time" held every Wednesday and Saturday.

You can watch large fish swimming leisurely in the 120-ton large tank as they eat their food with great impact. The commentary by the zookeepers also introduces the creatures in the large tank and the food given at WoOtt, making it an event where you can learn while having fun.

Local
Supporter

At the touch pool in the courtyard, you can interact with creatures that live in Lake Hamana, such as sharks, rays, and hermit crabs.

Lake Hamana Experience Learning Facility WoT

• 5005-3 Bentenjima, Maisaka-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• About a 15-minute walk from Bentenjima Station
• 9:00–16:30 (Last admission 16:00)
• Mondays (open if a public holiday), year-end and New Year holidays
• Adults 400 yen, high school students and younger / Seniors (70 years and older) free
• 053-592-2880
• Paid

4
nicoe

Opened in 2014, this is a sweets theme park created by "Shunkado," famous for its Unagi Pie. Inside the facility, in addition to sweets shops such as the Shunkado flagship store and the Japanese confectionery shop "Gokokuya," there is an Italian buffet called "THE COURTYARD KITCHEN" supervised by the chef of the Italian restaurant "Aromafresca" in Ginza, Tokyo. Workshops (reservation required) such as "cacao lab.," where you can make chocolate from cacao beans, are also held.
Furthermore, it is packed with ideas to keep children smiling, such as "Playground 082," where parents and children can enjoy playing together with toys made from thinned Tenryu cedar wood. In the lush green garden, you can play to your heart's content on dynamic playground equipment called "Kururi no Mori."

Local
Supporter

You can also enjoy unique playground equipment that you rarely see anywhere else! There are also plenty of play areas inside the facility.

nicoe

• 6-7-11 Somechidai, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• From Enshu Railway Hamakita Station, take the Entetsu Bus bound for Seirei Mikatahara Hospital and get off at "Somechidai 3-chome," then walk for 20 minutes.
• 10:00–18:00
• Mondays and Tuesdays
• Free
• 053-586-4567
• Free

5
Hamamatsu Fruit Park Tokinosumika

One of Japan's leading fruit theme parks where you can enjoy fruit picking throughout the year. The orchard, located on a vast site nine times the size of the Tokyo Dome, cultivates about 120 types of fruit, with approximately 4,300 fruit trees in total. You can harvest about 15 types of fruit annually, including plums and cherries in spring; blueberries, grapes, and pears in summer; apples, mandarin oranges, and persimmons in autumn; and strawberries in winter. The park is designed so that 1 to 4 types of fruit can be harvested every day. Since you pay by weight for what you pick, it is also great that you can harvest a little bit of several different types.
In addition, the only winery in Hamamatsu City is located on the premises. You can also make wine with an original label or have your name engraved on a wine glass.
Furthermore, there are plenty of facilities to enjoy all day long, such as a barbecue garden, a wood-fired pizza workshop, and an activity area with large playground equipment.

Local
Supporter

There is a variety of playground equipment with fruit motifs that is fun just to look at.

Hamamatsu Fruit Park Tokinosumika

• 4263-1 Miyakoda-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• Approx. 8-minute walk from Fruit Park Station on the Tenryu Hamanako Line
• 9:00–17:00 *Subject to seasonal changes
• Open every day
• Adults/High school students 730 yen, Junior high/Elementary school students 360 yen, Preschoolers free
• 053-428-5211
• Free

6
Mandarin Orange Picking Tokuraen

Mandarin orange picking is a seasonal activity available from early October to the end of November. Blessed with long sunshine hours throughout the year, Hamamatsu is a representative production area for Satsuma mandarin oranges, and many mandarin orange farms are scattered around Lake Hamana. Among them, "Mikan Gari Tokura-en" is easily accessible, located about 10 minutes by car from Kanzanji Onsen, and since the parking lot is right next to the mandarin orange field, you can start picking as soon as you arrive.
Also, while many mandarin orange fields are on slopes, this one is cultivated on flat land, so even those with small children can enjoy harvesting without worrying about the footing.
The taste of mandarin oranges you pick yourself with scissors, checking their size, color, and shape, is exceptional. You can also take home 1kg as a souvenir.

Local
Supporter

The mandarin orange orchards overlooking Lake Hamana face south and get plenty of sun. The mandarin oranges that have soaked up all that sunshine are exquisite!

7
Agrise Hamanako

In Hamamatsu, where the climate remains mild even in winter, the appeal of strawberry picking is that it runs for a long period, starting in early December and lasting until early May. You can enjoy strawberry picking during this same period at "Agris Hamanako," which brings together seven strawberry farms. Here, they will guide you to the greenhouses with ripe strawberries depending on the time of your visit, chosen from about 80 available greenhouses. They grow two varieties: "Akihime," synonymous with Shizuoka strawberries, and the increasingly popular "Beni Hoppe." The freshly picked, fully ripened strawberries are irresistibly delicious, with a rich sweetness and juiciness that will have you reaching for just one more.
In addition, the elevated cultivation greenhouses, where you can pick strawberries without crouching, are perfect for families to enjoy, as they allow wheelchair users and those with weak legs or lower backs to pick strawberries with ease.
After enjoying strawberries to your heart's content for 30 minutes, take a look at the direct sales corner. In addition to strawberries for takeaway and handmade strawberry jam, you can purchase seasonal vegetables, fruits, and fresh flowers at reasonable prices.

Local
Supporter

The fully ripened strawberries are large and so sweet that you don't even need condensed milk!

Agrise Hamanako

• 2014-1 Hiramatsu-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• Take the Entetsu Bus bound for Kanzanji Eigyosho from Hamamatsu Station for about 50 minutes, and get off at "Flower Park," then walk for 3 minutes.
• 9:00–16:00 (last admission); Fureai Market is open until 16:30.
• December 29–31
• Mid-December to January 6: 1,800 yen for elementary school students and older, 1,600 yen for children under elementary school age
  January 7 to March 31: 1,600 yen for elementary school students and older, 1,400 yen for children under elementary school age
  April 1 to early May: 1,200 yen for elementary school students and older, 1,000 yen for children under elementary school age
• 053-487-0541
• Free

8
Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park

"Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park" is located on the west bank of the "Imagireguchi," where Lake Hamana meets the Enshu Sea (Pacific Ocean). Within the park, five T-shaped fishing piers have been built, jutting out into the lake.
On holidays during the fishing season from spring to autumn, it is bustling with many anglers, from beginners to experts. Because the current is strong, the key is to assess the conditions of the lake surface before deciding where to fish. You can catch horse mackerel, sea bass, Japanese whiting, flatfish, filefish, and rockfish, and depending on the season, you can even target octopus or the black sea bream that anglers dream of.
Also, since there is an attached barbecue area, a recommended way to spend your time is to make barbecue the main event and enjoy some fishing before or after.
In addition, the "Imagire Experience Village Kaikokan," where you can try craft experiences, is located right next door. In the summer, the "Eel Catching and Kabayaki Experience" and "Fish Catching Experience" are popular, while in the winter, an "Oyster Hut" is opened and has gained a good reputation.
Nearby is "Hamanako Park Village," where you can dine and camp with your pets, which is also well-received.

Local
Supporter

The footing is good and there are railings, so even beginners can enjoy fishing with peace of mind. At the oyster hut, you can fully enjoy fresh, large oysters.

Arai Benten Seaside Fishing Park

• Arai Benten, Arai-cho, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• 10 minutes by car from JR Araimachi Station
• Open every day *Barbecue is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
• Free *Barbecue is 1,100 yen per plot/hour (charcoal fee separate)
• 053-594-6624 (Kaikokan)
• Paid: 400 yen (per day)

9
Phantom Marine Kodama

Phantom Marine Kodama, based in Kanzanji Onsen, hosts a variety of marine activities on Lake Hamana. There is a wide range of marine sports to experience, such as the exhilarating "Super Boat" that skims the lake surface at an average speed of 70 km/h, parasailing for an aerial stroll with a two-person parachute, and yacht cruising. In addition, there is a diverse selection of activities that parents and children can enjoy together, such as the "Nessie" cycle boat and the "Pal-Chu," a motorboat with a 2-horsepower engine that does not require a license to operate.

Local
Supporter

For parasailing, there are harnesses exclusively for children, so parent-child flights are also possible.

Phantom Marine Kodama

• 3289-3 Kanzanji-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka (inside Hamanako Marina) MAP
• Approx. 45 minutes by Entetsu Bus bound for Kanzanji Onsen from Hamamatsu Station, get off at "Hamanako Palpal" and walk for 2 minutes.
• 9:00–17:00 *Subject to seasonal changes
• Irregular holidays
• Speedboat from 1,100 yen per person *Varies depending on usage
• 053-487-0264
• Free

10
Triton Marine Club

Oku-Hamanako offers a landscape filled with natural beauty that takes on a different charm when viewed from the lake, including Tsubutejima, the only uninhabited island in Lake Hamana, and rocky areas known as Kagami-iwa. Furthermore, because the waves are calmer than on the seaside, it is the perfect location for enjoying sea kayaking.
Triton Marine Club, which has its clubhouse on the shores of Oku-Hamanako, allows you to fully enjoy sea kayaking in various situations. They offer tours where you can encounter fantastic, pristine natural scenery, such as the "Early Bird Tour" held when the waves are calm, the "Sunset Tour" where you can watch the sun sink into the lake, and the "Noctiluca Tour" where you head out by kayak to spots where you can see bioluminescent plankton. As you slowly glide across the lake surface, feeling the pleasant breeze and watching the scenery change from moment to moment, you can truly feel your mind being refreshed.
Even beginners and children can try it with peace of mind, as the staff will carefully teach them how to paddle.

Local
Supporter

There is a wide range of attractive tours available, so you can choose your preferred time to enjoy kayaking.

Triton Marine Club

• 62-3 Osaki, Mikkabi-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• 5 minutes by car from Mikkabi IC on the Tomei Expressway
• 8:00–18:00
• Tuesday
• Kayak from 6,000 yen / 3 hours
• 053-526-7071
• Free

11
Tokyu Resort Town Hamanako

Lake Inohana, located in the northwestern part of Lake Hamana, is a branch lake separated from Lake Hamana by the Osaki Peninsula. The sloping land features idyllic scenery with mandarin orange orchards extending almost to the coastline.
Located in such a scenic spot, the vast grounds feature a collection of sports facilities that the whole family can enjoy, including a putting golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and pickleball courts. There is also a marina on the lakeshore where you can enjoy marine sports such as wakeboarding, SUP, and kayaking.
After working up a sweat, you can enjoy a barbecue without the need for preparation or cleanup. It is a complex facility where you can spend a fulfilling time playing and eating.

Local
Supporter

You can enjoy various activities against the backdrop of the magnificent nature of Lake Hamana.

Tokyu Resort Town Hamanako

• 372 Osaki, Mikkabi-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• 5 minutes by car from Higashi-Tsuzuki Station
• 9:00–18:00 *Varies by facility and season
• Open every day
• Tennis from 2,200 yen, putter golf 1,100 yen (per adult), BBQ from 5,500 yen per person (reservation required) *Varies by facility
• 053-526-1515 (Hamanako Tokyu Sunny Park)
• Free

12
Gomi Hacchin May-One Store

Gomi-Hachin is a Chinese family restaurant chain with over 40 locations in Shizuoka Prefecture. The restaurant provides children's cutlery and cushions, as well as coloring pages to keep children occupied while waiting for their meals, a service that is popular with families with small children. A message titled "To Mothers" posted in the restaurant says, "Please don't worry about any mess around the table or seats, and enjoy your meal at your leisure."
The menu features a wide variety of Chinese dishes, including ramen with a choice of soy sauce, miso, or tonkotsu broth, rice bowls, and a la carte items, but the must-try dish is the famous Hamamatsu Gyoza. The filling, made with plenty of high-quality domestic pork and fresh cabbage sourced from contracted domestic farmers, is wrapped in a homemade thin skin and grilled until crispy.

Local
Supporter

The Hamamatsu Gyoza set is a great value and very filling. The menu is extensive, so the whole family can enjoy it.

Gomi Hachin May-One Store

• Hamamatsu Station Building May-One 7F, 6-1 Sunayama-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• A short walk from directly in front of the Hamamatsu Station ticket gate
• 11:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
• Open every day
• 053-522-7070
• None (paid parking available around the station)

13
Charcoal Grilled Restaurant Sawayaka Hamamatsu Kamoe Store

This steak and hamburger restaurant is headquartered in Hamamatsu City and operates a chain exclusively within Shizuoka Prefecture, primarily in the western part of the prefecture. Its signature "Genkotsu Hamburger" is said to be the soul food of Shizuoka residents, and because many celebrities from Shizuoka have declared themselves fans of "Sawayaka," its name has become known nationwide, making it a gourmet spot now visited by many tourists.

100% beef Genkotsu Hamburg that you will want to eat again and again

The biggest feature of the "Genkotsu Hamburg" is that the staff finishes cooking the hamburg steak right in front of you. The 100% beef hamburg steak, served on a piping hot iron plate, is cut in half by the staff, who then press the cut sides against the plate to sear them. Since the surface is already grilled to a golden brown over charcoal, it takes no time at all from the moment it arrives until it is ready to eat. The recommended level of doneness is with the center still slightly red, but the staff will cook it to your preference, so please let them know in advance if you have a request.
Baby food and low-allergen children's menus are also available, providing peace of mind for families with small children. There is also a service where children up to the fourth grade of elementary school receive a free toy.

Local
Supporter

The hamburger steak is incredibly juicy and satisfying, and it goes perfectly with the sauce!

Charcoal Grilled Restaurant Sawayaka Hamamatsu Kamoe Store

• 3-10-1 Kamoe, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture MAP
• From Hamamatsu Station, take the Entetsu Bus bound for Iryo Center (Medical Center) and get off at "Hokenjo" (Public Health Center), then walk for 3 minutes
• 11:00–23:00 (Lunch: Mon–Sat 11:00–15:00) *10:45– on Sat, Sun, and holidays
• Open every day
• 053-456-8533
• Free

14
Dining & Cuisine Nakamura

A Japanese restaurant quietly nestled in a residential area about a 10-minute drive from JR Hamamatsu Station. It is well-regarded for its welcoming service and has been loved by the locals for over 20 years since its founding. The menu focuses on tempura and tendon (tempura rice bowls), and in the evening, there is a wide variety of a la carte dishes that go well with drinks.
The lunch recommendation is, without a doubt, the tendon. Tempura made with seafood, including shrimp, and vegetables is piled so high it seems to overflow from the bowl. The tempura, fried with expert skill, has a light, crispy texture that pairs perfectly with the mellow-flavored sauce made with brown sugar. It is highly rated as a dish that both children and adults can enjoy to the very last bite without getting tired of it.
In addition to counter seating, the restaurant has three private tatami rooms, so you can enjoy your meal with peace of mind without worrying about those around you, even when accompanied by small children.

Local
Supporter

You will be surprised by the height of the tempura bowl presentation! The private rooms are relaxing and comfortable.

Dining & Cuisine Nakamura

• 41-26 Kaminishi-cho, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka MAP
• From Hamamatsu Station, take the Entetsu Bus bound for Kasai-kamicho and get off at "Sala," then walk 5 minutes.
• 11:30–13:30, 17:30–22:00
• Mondays *Irregular holidays
• Tempura Set Meal 1,500 yen, Sashimi Set Meal 1,580 yen
• 053-463-4345
• Free