Stand on the observation deck at Act City and the city spreads out below you in every direction: the sand dunes at the shore, Lake Hamana to the west, and on a clear day the outline of Mount Fuji. That single view tells you what kind of place Hamamatsu is — a city of music and motorcycles at the edge of mountains, rivers and sea.
Hamamatsu suits travellers who want a mix of history, industry and outdoor time without the crowds of Japan's larger cities. It rewards those willing to take a bus or a train out to the edges, where the caves, rivers and castle ruins are.
This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, followed by a one-day plan and answers to common questions.
Top things to do in Hamamatsu
1. Act City
Hamamatsu's only skyscraper is the symbol of the city, designed to resemble a harmonica — a reminder that Hamamatsu is known as the "City of Music". The building holds shopping, 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 theatres with frequent concerts, musicals, plays and seminars.
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 glimpse Mount Fuji in the distance. Beneath the windows are labelled panoramic photos so you can identify the sights, and there are coin-operated telescopes. The observatory is open Monday to Friday, 10AM to 6PM, and costs ¥500. On the west side there is a rooftop park complex, and on the north an outdoor "Sunken Garden" used at festival times for food stalls and cultural performances.
2. Hamamatsu Castle
Hamamatsu Castle was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa, who lived here from 1571 to 1588. After the Edo Period the castle was destroyed, and it 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 to enter and houses some Tokugawa armour and relics, a preserved well moved from elsewhere on the grounds, and a miniature model of how the city might have looked 400 years ago. To get there, take bus 36, 40, 41 or 50 to city hall.
3. Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments
Just northeast of Act City Tower, this museum houses a collection of over 2,000 kinds of ethnic instruments from around the world. Each instrument has a display attached, with headphones so you can listen to the sound of the instrument.
The museum also has a hands-on room where you can play many types of instruments — drums, xylophones, sitars and native Japanese instruments. It is a child-friendly museum. It is open 09:00 to 17:00 and closed on the second Wednesday of each month. Admission is ¥400, high school students half-price, children free. Combine it with a visit to Act City next door.
4. Nakatajima Sand Dunes
The second largest grouping of sand dunes in Japan makes a great place for a stroll or a picnic. Take the Nakatajima bus from bus terminal platform 6 and get off at the Nakatajima Sakyu stop.
Be careful if swimming, as there is somewhat of an undertow. The Hamamatsu Festival Hall is at the same bus stop, so the two pair naturally.
5. Hamamatsu Festival Hall
This museum gives visitors a taste of the famous Hamamatsu Festival year round, with its huge kites, festival clothing, lanterns and banners. Videos show how the kites are made, flown and fought.
It is open daily 09:00 to 16:30 and costs ¥400. Take the Nakatajima bus from terminal 6 and get off at the Nakatajima Sakyu stop — the same stop as the sand dunes, so visit both in one trip.
6. Ryugashi Cavern
One of the largest and most famous caves in Japan. The first 400 m of the 1000-m limestone cavern are open to the public. Stalactites and stalagmites abound, and the centrepiece is a 30-m underground waterfall.
The cave stays about 15°C year-round, making it a great place to cool off during the sweltering summer heat. It is open 09:00 to 17:00. Admission is ¥650 for adults, ¥450 for children aged 13 to 15, and ¥350 for younger children. From the central bus station, take the bus for Okuyama and get off at Ryugashi-do Iriguchi.
7. Kiga Sekisho
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.
It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 16:30. Admission is ¥200 for adults and ¥100 for children. Take a Kiga-Mikkawa bus from central bus station terminal 15 and get off at Kiga-ekimae.
8. Futamata Castle Ruins
Many battles were fought over this castle in the mid-16th 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.
From the northern Akaden terminus at Nishikajima, take the Tenryu-Hamanako line one stop north to Futamata Honmachi, walk 200 m north to the main street, head left for about 300 m and look for the sign.
9. Akino Fuku Art Museum
This museum is housed in an interesting building made mostly from local cedar and other products. The permanent collection has many pieces by the late artist Akino Fuku, as well as other pieces.
It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:30 to 17:00. Admission is ¥300 for adults and ¥150 for students. From Nishikajima station at the north end of the Akaden line, take a Futamata bus to the Akino Fuku Bijyutsukan Iriguchi bus stop; the museum is a 10-minute walk from there. It pairs well with the Futamata Castle Ruins in the same area.
10. Hamamatsu City Museum
This museum, on the grounds of a pleasant park, is dedicated to the history of Hamamatsu and the surrounding area. Exhibits include locally found pre-historic fossils, ancient pottery, old maps, and farming and domestic implements up through the Edo era.
Also on the grounds are some shell mounds, evidence of pre-historic human life in the area, and a reconstruction of a Jomon village has been installed among the mounds, giving the visitor an idea of what life was like here three to four thousand years ago. The name of the park and the neighbourhood, Shijimizuka, means "shell mound". It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00.
11. Takizawa Observation Platform
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. It is popular with local couples, and the view is especially good at night when the city is lit up.
From the north end of Miyakoda Techno Road, turn left on Route 299; after about 10 km turn left at the Fuuketsu Iriguchi bus stop, go straight past Takisawa Elementary, and look for the signs.
12. Tenryu River
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 rafting, kayaking and fishing, and there are many parks along its banks.
The god of this river, Ryujin, is the guest of honour at many area festivals. Pair a river stop with the Keta River if you are heading north.
13. Keta River
This beautiful mountain river flows for 66 km before it joins the Tenryu southwest of Haruno. It is a relaxing place for swimming or kayaking.
Take Route 152 north and turn onto 362 at Tenryu, then drive about 18 km. Best combined with the Tenryu River and the northern sights on the same day out.
14. Washizawa Wind Cave
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, and it supposedly provided a refuge for warriors during the 1300s.
Admission is ¥400. If you are deciding between the two caves, Ryugashi Cavern has the larger showpiece waterfall while Washizawa is the quieter visit.
15. Hamamatsu Municipal Museum of Art
Just one stop up the road from city hall is Hamamatsu's art museum. Exhibits vary, so it is worth checking what is on before you go.
Its location near city hall makes it easy to combine with Hamamatsu Castle, which is also reached by buses stopping at city hall.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Hamamatsu Castle, reached by bus to city hall. Explore the restored castle, the original foundation and the small museum inside with its Tokugawa armour and relics. From there, walk or ride one stop to the Hamamatsu Municipal Museum of Art near city hall.
Afternoon: Head to Act City, the harmonica-shaped tower by the station. Visit the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments just northeast of the tower, where you can listen to instruments from around the world and try playing some in the hands-on room. Then take the lift to the Act City observatory on the 45th floor for the view across the city, the sand dunes and Lake Hamana.
Evening: Take the Nakatajima bus from terminal 6 to the Nakatajima Sakyu stop. Walk the Nakatajima Sand Dunes as the light softens, then visit the Hamamatsu Festival Hall at the same stop to see the giant kites and festival displays before it closes at 16:30 — so plan the dunes first and the hall before closing if you are running late.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Nakatajima Sand Dunes and Hamamatsu Festival Hall?
Take the Nakatajima bus from bus terminal platform 6 and get off at the Nakatajima Sakyu stop. Both the dunes and the festival hall are served by that stop, so you can visit them together.
Which cave should I visit, Ryugashi Cavern or Washizawa Wind Cave?
Ryugashi Cavern is one of the largest and most famous caves in Japan, with a 30-m underground waterfall as its centrepiece, and costs ¥650 for adults. Washizawa Wind Cave is a less touristy alternative with cool winds in summer and a horizontal ceiling, costing ¥400. Both stay cool, making either a good choice in summer heat.
When is the Act City observatory open and what can I see from it?
The observatory is open Monday to Friday, 10AM to 6PM, and costs ¥500. From it you can see down to the sand dunes at the shore and Lake Hamana to the west, and on an exceptionally clear day, Mount Fuji in the distance.
Is the Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments suitable for children?
Yes. It is a child-friendly museum with a hands-on room where you can play drums, xylophones, sitars and native Japanese instruments. Admission is ¥400, high school students half-price, and children free. It is closed on the second Wednesday of each month.
Pick the sights that match your interests, check the bus routes from the central terminal, and start mapping out your days in Hamamatsu.