Location: Hamamatsu
Top Things to do in Hamamatsu
What to do and see in Hamamatsu, Chubu: The Best Things to do
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. Hamamatsu Air Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 515 reviews
Reviewed By Tokugawa_Ieyasu - Fujieda, Japan
This facility is widely open for many people in free of charge. Both of kids and adults should have great times there. I bet those who are interested in aircraft, defensing activities can enjoy a lot. The exhibitions are great to see. Weapons such as missiles are displayed together with reasonable explanations. You can get into the cockpits of exhibited airplanes which had flied in the air before. This may bring you the memorial photos. Souvenir store offers great variety of air force goods, towels, shirts and so forth.
3. Hamanako Garden Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Hamanako Garden Park is a Shizuoka pref. city park, built on the site of 2004 Pacific Flora Garden Exposition. From the Observatory Tower, you can see the Enshu Nada and Lake Hamana. Seasonal flowers are planted in 3,000m2 garden, nemophila, sunflowers and cosmos. The “Flower Museum" is a copy of Monet's garden in France. It has seasonal flowers like tulips, roses, water lilies, and dahlia. Summer (July/August) Opening hours: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Closed day: New Year's holiday (December 29th to January 3rd) "Flower Museum" is closed every Tuesday afternoon
Reviewed By Q3179QGwilliamm - Riverdale, United States
Besides a replica of the Monet House and the garden from the painting 'Water lillies' there are several other areas in this garden. There is a tree from the Jurassic period and many varieties of unique citrus and other fruits and several examples of architecture from other countries. The view of lake hamanako from the viewing platform is incredible.
4. 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!
5. Suzuki Plaza
6. Hamamatsu Flower Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 288 reviews
The huge 300,000 m² garden created by taking advantage of the natural terrain on the shore of Lake Hamana. It has the world's most beautiful "cherry and tulip gardens" that begin in spring, also flowers that decorate the flower beds such as wisteria, roses and iris during the four seasons. Various flowers proudly bloom creating a relaxing space. The fountain show, large greenhouse, Flower Train that runs in the park are also popular. The open hours are subject to each season. *Open hours: October - November 9:00-16:30 / December - February 10:00-16:30 *December 29-31 Closed due to facility inspection.
Reviewed By Squrrox99
500 yen per person, stunning gardens with great walks, restaurant was very good, had a great 3/4 hours here, easily accessible by no 30 bus from hamamatsu station, drops you right outside. Just a little further on is Lake Hamana, well worth another 3 stops to have a look round.
7. Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 282 reviews
Opened in April 1995, it is the only large-scale public musical instrument museum in Japan. It has 3,300 musical instruments and 1,500 permanent exhibits from all over the world. Concept of introducing world's musical instruments is by “see, feel, and touch” the exhibits. The collection and businesses are highly regarded as the world's first musical instrument museum. Day off: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month (or the following day if it is a national holiday, no day off in August), Year-end and New Year holidays.
Reviewed By Silverlady2017 - Leeds, United Kingdom
It is a veritable wonderland of musical instruments from many parts of the world and helpful friendly staff. The displays are well labeled and the English leaflet and audio guide was very helpful. Some of the museum is hands on. You can listen to some of the instruments on headphones as you walk around. There is a bit of history about the development of some of the instruments. There is quite a large collection of European keyboard instruments from familiar pianos to less well known ones like a spinet and related instruments like a dulcimer. Really well worth a visit of 3 to 4 hours for music enthusiasts.
8. Ryugashido Cavern
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 259 reviews
It is one of the largest tourist limestone caves in the Tokai region, which was formed in a limestone area 250 million years ago. The average temperature inside the cave is 18 degrees Celsius, you can enjoy a comfortable space that is cool in summer and warm in winter. Homemade gelato is also recommended! The cave may be temporarily closed due to typhoons, disasters, etc.
9. Hamanako Music Box Museum
10. Hamamatsu Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 544 reviews
Hamamatsu Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and it is also called "Shusse-jo (The Castle of Success)". From the observatory, you can see the city of Hamamatsu, in the castle there are many historical materials, armor, etc. related to Ieyasu and castle town "Hamamatsu." Also, Hamamatsu Castle Park, where Hamamatsu Castle is located, serves as a central park of Hamamatsu City for the locals to relax. In spring, it is a popular spot for cherry blossoms, and is crowded with visitors. To commemorate your visit to Hamamatsu Castle, we recommend that you get a "Gojyoin (a red stamp issued at the castle" (300 yen each). (January 1 only, opens from 6:30am to 4:30pm) (Closed: December 29-31) In addition, "Motoshirocho Toshogu" is a 5-minute walk from Hamamatsu Castle. It is also called "Shusse Jinja (Shrine of Success)" as the place where two warlords, TOKUGAWA Ieyasu and TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi, were led to Tenkabito (People who unified the whole of Japan), and many worshipers visit.
Reviewed By Ricky1_candy23
The castle is very well preserved and its in the middle of yhe city,very close to Hamamatsu Station. Doesn't take very long to roam around it as its a small castle in comparison to other big ones.
