Hamamatsu
Discover Hamamatsu
An important industrial hub, the city is home to many companies, including Honda Motor Company, Roland Corporation, Kawai Pianos, Yamaha, Sony, Suzuki Motor Company and Hamamatsu Photonics as well as a large air base for Japan's defense force. Consequently, the city is well known for producing motorcycles, musical instruments and optoelectronic sensors among other things. For its population of just under a million people, Hamamatsu is a uniquely international city. It is home to almost 16,000 Brazilians, mostly from São Paulo, Paraná, and Belém, as well as 3000 immigrants from Peru, giving it the highest per-capita concentration of South Americans in Japan. The city also has sizable immigrant populations from Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, China, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The ethnic diversity here provides the city with a wide array of ethnic stores, restaurants, bars and clubs.
What to Experience in Hamamatsu
Taste of Hamamatsu...
Many of the drinking establishments in town can be found on or around Yūraku-gai (有楽街), which runs vaguely north–south about 4 blocks west-northwest of the JR station. At ZaZa City shopping complex, it intersects Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), which is the main street leading northwest from the station. Hamamatsu has a lot of options for clubbing for a city its size, though most of these are open only on the weekends. Most places do not start getting busy until after midnight.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Hamamatsu.
Many of the drinking establishments in town can be found on or around Yūraku-gai (有楽街), which runs vaguely north–south about 4 blocks west-northwest of the JR station. At ZaZa City shopping complex, it intersects Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), which is the main street leading northwest from the station. Hamamatsu has a lot of options for clubbing for a city its size, though most of these are open only on the weekends. Most places do not start getting busy until after midnight.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsGeographically, the closest airport to Hamamatsu is in Shizuoka (FSZ), 45 km away. However, flights there are very limited: Domestic services are operated by ANA and low-cost carrier Fuji Dream Airlines to destinations including Sapporo, Fukuoka and Okinawa, and international flights serve Seoul, Taipei and several destinations in China. The closest international airport is Chubu International Airport (NGO) in Nagoya. Entetsu operates a bus called E-Wing which runs directly to Hamamatsu Station every 45-60 min. The trip takes 2 hr 10 min and costs ¥3100. The fastest option by train is to take the Meitetsu Limited Express to Nagoya and change to the shinkansen (90-100 min, ¥5650, shinkansen is free with the Japan Rail Pass). If coming from the other major international airports, Kansai (KIX) or Narita (NRT), the fastest way to reach Hamamatsu is to take the JR limited express to Osaka or Tokyo, respectively, and change to the shinkansen. These trips are free for Japan Rail Pass holders....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city center is easily explored on foot, but Hamamatsu is a very sprawling place, and to visit places further out such as the Fruit Park or Kanzanji Hot Springs, you will need another form of transportation. Hamamatsu Bus Terminal is just north of the main JR train station. Take a ticket from the machine inside the bus when you enter. The number on the ticket corresponds to the number lit up at the front of the bus, which displays the fare amount for the upcoming stop. Many of the drinking establishments in town can be found on or around Yūraku-gai (有楽街), which runs vaguely north–south about 4 blocks west-northwest of the JR station. At ZaZa City shopping complex, it intersects Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), which is the main street leading northwest from the station. Hamamatsu has a lot of options for clubbing for a city its size, though most of these are open only on the weekends. Most places do not start getting busy until after midnight.
Money & Budget
Many of the drinking establishments in town can be found on or around Yūraku-gai (有楽街), which runs vaguely north–south about 4 blocks west-northwest of the JR station. At ZaZa City shopping complex, it intersects Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), which is the main street leading northwest from the station. Hamamatsu has a lot of options for clubbing for a city its size, though most of these are open only on the weekends. Most places do not start getting busy until after midnight.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Hamamatsu
Hamamatsu, Japan
Hamamatsu Castle, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan
Cityscape featuring buildings and a tall tower.
a building with a blue sky
a pagoda with a waterfall
a yellow flower in a field
a sign with a cartoon character on it
a tall building with a flag on top of it
the sun is setting over a city skyline
a butterfly on a flower
Hamamatsu, Japan
Hamamatsu Castle, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan
Cityscape featuring buildings and a tall tower.