Location: Hamamatsu
Top Things to do in Hamamatsu
Top 10 Sacred & Religious Sites in Hamamatsu, Chubu
Hamamatsu (浜松市, Hamamatsu-shi, lit. "Coast Pine Tree") is a city located in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Restaurants in Hamamatsu
1. Ryotan-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
An old temple with a history of over 1000 years. Iinoya is the hometown of the Ii family, and Ryotanji is their family temple. Naotora Ii, the main character of the Taiga drama series "Naotora: The Lady Warlord," which tells the history of Japan, priesthood (Breaking the relationship with the family, leaving the world, receiving commandments and becoming a monk) at this temple. Kobori Enshu's Ryotanji Garden in the backyard of the main hall is a nationally nominated scenic spot. The temple building is a cultural property nominated by Shizuoka Prefecture. It has many treasures such as Nobunaga Oda's relics and items related to the Ii family. You can enjoy the flowers and greenery of the four seasons whenever you visit, and the atmosphere is known as Little Kyoto in Hamamatsu. Closed: August 15th, December 22nd-27th * The museum may be temporarily closed when a typhoon approaches.
2. Rinzaishu Hoko-ji temple Daihonzan Okuyama Hansobo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Houkouji is the head temple of the Houkouji sect of Rinzai Buddhism, founded in 1371. It is a tourist temple that keeps various cultural properties such as the Shaka Triad, a National Important Cultural Property. You can enjoy a walk in the woods, Zen experience, and sutra transcription in the quiet temple precincts surrounded by deep greenery. Also, please try its seasonal Shojin Ryori (vegetarian cuisine).
Reviewed By DanL917 - Tokyo, Japan
All of the English reviews of this temple are neglecting a couple of interesting features regarding this tourist attraction: A. While it is true you can order shojin ryori meals at this temple, what's unique about this temple is it's known for vegetarian unagi. You can either order it as the entree, in which case you get a big piece of the unagi, together with rice and a modest scattering of side dishes, or you can order the deluxe lunch set which includes several vegetarian dishes, but still includes a smaller sampling of the unagi. This is the meal I chose. While the unagi doesn't have quite the umami of real unagi, it tastes pretty good. Normally if you want to order a shojin ryori meal at these Buddhist temples you need to make a reservation in advance, which I didn't have. But at the ticket booth in the parking lot, there is an attendant who will check with the kitchen to see if they can accommodate you, and if they are not too busy, you can order a meal. Terrific! B. This temple has a very mysterious feature. There is a little concrete arch where all the Buddhist statues are located, scattered around the ground. There are supposed to be five little Buddha statues perched on top this arch. Some visitors say they saw only four, some say only three. The day I visited, I examined the structure very closely. The statues seem cemented to the arch, so they do not seem removable. And they are covered with moss and lichen, and look to have been there a long time. I recall seeing five statues on the arch and I made sure I took several pics. If you look at the pics on the Tripadvisor site, there are four pics of the arch. Two show five statues and two show four. Who knows what is the real reason behind this mysterious discrepancy. This temple is highly recommended because of the various things to see on the grounds. There is a large wooden main building with a sloping garden in the back. I forget, but the building may have had Nightingale or creaking floors as a security measure, which is common in temples in the Hamamatsu area. There is a long, meandering pathway that takes you to a forest of tall cypress, a red Torii gate, and to where the Buddhist statues and concrete arch is located, There is also a photogenic red stair-like structure or hallway. The fact that you can enjoy a syojin ryori meal for lunch is the icing on the cake!
3. Ryoun-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
A Zen Buddhist temple opened 700years ago. The garden by a Japanese landscaper known as Kobori Enshu of Heisei and the 1,000 years old Buddhist statue are amazing. “The World’s Biggest Hannya Sutra" of Shoko Kanazawa, a genius calligrapher with Down syndrome, was displayed here. With the size 4m x 16m, you can feel the kindness of Shoko. There are other highlights such as hell & heaven map.
4. Akihasanhongu Akiha Shrine Shimosha
5. Akihasan Hongu Akiha-jinja Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Akihasan Hongu Akiha-jinja Shrine pays tribute to the famous Akihasan, which is said to be one of the most sacred mountains in the Tokai region. It was founded in Wado 2 (709 AD). In the Middle Ages, it was called "Akiha Daigongen" (God of Fire) and was widely known throughout the country as a highly virtuous god. It was given the highest rank as a god by the Imperial Court. Many great swords were also donated to the shrine by famous warlords. Furthermore, during the Edo period, Akihakou (Group for worshiping Mt. Akiha) was formed all over the country, and the main road was crowded with worshipers. Even today, rituals are performed in traditional ways and are respected throughout the country. (Prayer reception is from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm) (All day worship and prayer are possible from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day)
6. Kaname Shrine
7. Makayaji Temple
8. Hamamatsu Hachimangu Shrine
9. Kisa Shrine
10. Fudo-ji Temple
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