"HAMAMATSU..the city of music" Top 5 Page for this destination Hamamatsu by cheesecake17

Hamamatsu Travel Guide: 92 reviews and 240 photos

STATION 30th of the OLD TOKAIDO ROAD

Located about halfway between Tokyo and Osaka on the southern coast of Japan, Hamamatsu is a popular tourist destination surrounded by a variety of natural features including coastal sand dunes and mountains.

Its most famous attractions include Hamamatsu Castle, the Flower Park, and the Kanzanji Hot Springs by Lake Hamana.

This site offer free guides to Hamamatsu Volunteer Tourist Guide (click)

HOW TO GET THERE

Hamamatsu is a station on the Tokaido Shinkansen and Tokaido Main Line. This station is served by a small selection of Hikariservices and all passing Kodama services.

From Tokyo
Tokyo - Hamamatsu (by super-express Tokaido Shinkansen "Hikari"): 1 hr. 30 min.
Tokyo - Hamamatsu (by super-express Tokaido Shinkansen "Kodama"): 2 hrs.

From Osaka / Nagoya
Shin-Osaka - Hamamatsu (by super-express Tokaido Shinkansen "Hikari"): 1 hr. 30 min.
Shin-Osaka - Hamamatsu (by super-express Tokaido Shinkansen "Kodama"): 2 hrs.

Nagoya - Hamamatsu (by super-express Tokaido Shinkansen "Hikari"): 35 min.
Nagoya - Hamamatsu (by super-express Tokaido Shinkansen "Kodama"): 50 min.

By Car
From Tokyo
Tomei Kosokudoro Atsugi IC - Hamamatsu IC
From Osaka / Nagoya
Osaka - Nagoya via Meishin Kosokudoro, Nagoya - Hamamatsu IC via Tomei Kosokudoro

honjin

In my quest to see all 53 STATIONS of the OLD TOKAIDO ROAD, this is number 30

HISTORY

Hamamatsu shuku (inn district) was very busy in the Edo period and there were 6 honjin, or officially appointed inns.

Hamamatsu is also well known for Hamamatsu castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu lived for 17 years (from late 20s through 40s).

It is said that Ieyas had a very hard time during his stay in Hamamatsu, compare to his Fuchu years.

He lost a big war called "mikatagahara no kassen (mikatappara no kassen)" or Mikatagahara war against Takeda Shingen, a great warrior during the civil war.

Also, he had to kill his wife and a child due to the order by Oda nobunaga, one of the most well known warrior in Japanese history.

The current castle was built in 1958.

Distance from Nihonbashi: 252.7 km

HAMAMATSU by HIROSHIGE

A party of coolies warming themselves by a bonfire beside a large tree, a traveller, with a pipe in hand, looking on, and a peasant woman carrying a child on her back, approaching from the right.

Bare, flat rice-fields, across which stand the castle and village in the background.

This plate depicts a wintry rural scene on the outskirts of Hamamatsu Station.

The village and Hamamatsu Castle are visible in the distance.

Last visit to Hamamatsu: Sep 2005
Intro Updated Jun 24, 2008
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Reviews (24)

Snake or fish? :-) Restaurants (1)

Grilled unagi is a delicacy in Japan.Unagi or eel has been consumed in Japan since the 17th century. It is rich in... more travel advice

Hamamatsu Transportation Transportation (1)

Transportation within the city is good, reliable and punctual bus service and easy availability of taxis. Hamamatsu... more travel advice

Hamamatsu musical instrument museum - Hamamatsu

Hamamatsu Museum of MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Things to Do (19)

Hamamatsu was the first city in Japan to make PIANOS...This museum was planned as the 1st MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF MUSICAL... more travel advice

In addition to the kite Things to Do (19)

.......battles and the float parades, many other events are held during the festival... Each year since 1971, when the... more travel advice

Local Customs (3)
See All The legend of the OHAYASHI

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Comments (5)

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iris2002 Mar 19, 2008 at 2:23 AM

Wonderful pages - wow - I always had this dream of discovering Japan and it's on my "must see list"... what a fantastic country and culture - thanks for sharing. Arigato :)!
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Kaione Jul 15, 2007 at 7:34 PM

Awesome site! Loads of useful information. I'm looking forward to doing some of this stuff.
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Jim_Eliason Oct 18, 2006 at 5:11 PM

nice pics and tips, looks like a cool festival.
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RoseAmano Feb 22, 2006 at 2:56 AM

Wonderful pages about Shizuoka-ken! I play a piano (own a Yamaha and a Kawai), so someday we'd like to visit there to see the many piano factories! Have fun in Matsumoto, and be sure to get in touch when you visit 2nd stage of Tokaido road!
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easyoar Nov 5, 2005 at 1:23 AM

I wasn't sure, but if somebody cuts through your kite line, do you lose your kite (i.e it blows away?)