The view of downtown Hamamatsu, seen from Act City Tower's observation deck.
Act City, Itaya-machi 111-1 - Naka-ku (east side of JR station), ☎ 053 451-1111 (fax: 053 451-1123), . 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 Observatory. Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM. From 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.￥500. �
Chopin Monument. Erected in the rooftop park beside the tower itself is an authentic two-third-scale replica of the famous Art Nouveau bronze statue of Chopin by the famed artist Wacław Szymanowski. The original is in Hamamatsu's sister city, Warsaw. �
Futamata Castle Ruins (二俣城跡, ''Futamata-jouseki''), Futamata-cho Futamata - Tenryu-ku (from the northern ''Akaden'' terminus at Nishikajima, take the Tenryu-Hamanako line one stop north to Futamata Honmachi, walk 200m north to the main street, head left for about 300m and look for the sign). Many battles were fought over this castle in the mid-sixteenth 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 (浜松城, ''Hamamatsu-jou''), Motoshiro-cho 49-2 - Naka-ku (Take bus 36, 40, 41, or 50,to city hall (市役所前).), ☎ 053 453-3872, . 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 yen 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 (気田川, ''Ketagawa''), Haruno-cho Tenryu-ku (take Route 152 north and turn onto 362 at Tenryu and drive about 18km). This beautiful mountain river flows for 66 kilometers before it joins the Tenryu southwest of Haruno. It's a relaxing place for swimming or kayaking. �
Kiga Sekisho (気賀関所), Hosoe-cho Kiga 4577 - Kita-ku (take a Kiga-Mikkawa bus from central bus station terminal 15 and get off at Kiga-ekimae: 気賀駅前), ☎ 053 523-2855. 9AM-4:30PM, closed Mondays. 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.Adults ￥200, children ￥100. �
Mitake Castle Ruins (三岳城跡, ''Mitake Jouseki''), Inasa-cho Mitake (near Iinoya busstop: 井伊谷), ☎ 053 542-1113. A somewhat strenuous hike will bring you to the ruins of a castle built atop 467-meter Mt. Mitake in 1340 by the Ii Clan. �
Nakatajima Sand Dunes (中田島砂丘), Nakatajima-cho - Minami-ku (take the Nakatajima bus from terminal 6 and get off at the Nakatajima Sakyu stop: 中田島砂丘), ☎ 053 452-1634. 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 (竜ヶ岩洞, Ryugashidou), Inasa-cho Tabata 193 - Kita-ku (from the central bus station, take the bus for Okuyama and get off at Ryugashi-do Iriguchi: 竜ヶ岩洞入口), ☎ 053 543-0108, . 9AM-5PM. One of the largest and most famous caves in Japan. The first 400m of the 1000m limestone cavern are open to the public. Stalactites and stalagmites abound, and the centerpiece is a 30m underground waterfall. This cave stays about 15°C year-round, making it a great place to cool off during the sweltering summer heat.Adults ￥650, children 13-15 ￥450, children ￥350. �
Takisawa Observation Platform (滝沢展望台, ''Takisawa Tenboudai''), (from the north end of Miyakoda Techno Road, turn left on Route 299, after about 10 km turn left at the Fuuketsu Iriguchi busstop: 風穴入口, go straight past Takisawa Elementary, and look for the signs). This 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 River (天竜川). One 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 (鷲沢風穴, ''Washizawa Fuuketsu''), Washizawa-cho 428 - Kita-ku, ☎ 053 428-2965. 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.￥400. �
Hokoji Hansobo (north of Hamamatsu), 431-2224.....1577-1 (Bus Depot #15, take the #45 bus to the end), ☎ 053-543-0003, . A Buddhist Monestary nestled amoung pines, sakura, peach, and other things. Visitors can walk through the buildings- no shoes allowed.300Y. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Hamamatsu
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Hamamatsu - updated May 2024
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Hamamatsu Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
