Hamana Lake Travel Guide: Diverse Attractions and Great Food

This urban park was created on the former site of the Hamana Lake Flower Expo, held in 2004.
Located at the tip of a peninsula jutting into Hamana Lake, it is known for its beautiful setting surrounded by the lake and abundant nature.
The vast 56-hectare grounds, about the size of 12 Tokyo Domes, are divided into three zones: the Town Area, the West Area, and the Village Area.
At Flower Plaza, seasonal flowers bloom throughout the year, including nemophila in spring, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in fall. There is also a 50-meter observation tower offering panoramic views of the flower-designed ground art, the entire park, and Hamana Lake.

This ropeway connects the Hamamatsu Palpal amusement park with the summit of Mt. Okusa, which stands at Approx. 113 meters above sea level.
It is the only ropeway in Japan that crosses over a lake, stretching 723 meters in total and offering an Approx. 4-minute ride through the air.
From the large windows, you can take in views overlooking Hamana Lake and the Pacific Ocean. From the Mt. Okusa Observatory at the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama, including the Kanzanji Onsen hot spring town below, Oku-Hamana Lake to the north, and the Enshu-nada Sea to the south.

This popular sightseeing cruise lets you enjoy Hamana Lake’s seasonal scenery from the water, on a lake known for its calm winds and gentle waves throughout the year.
Regular services depart daily from two boarding points, and no reservation is required.
The Kanzanji route, with departures from Flower Park Port and Kanzanji Port, is a loop course that passes beneath the Hamana Lake Bridge on the Tomei Expressway, circles Oku-Hamana Lake, and returns to the Kanzanji Onsen area.

This resort-style amusement park next to Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen welcomes visitors with cute characters designed by Takashi Yanase throughout the park.
It offers plenty of rides, including a merry-go-round for children from age 0 and the giant Ferris wheel Cocoo.
On the 30-minute Pal Cruise around Hamana Lake, you can fully feel the natural breeze sweeping across the vast lake.

This park faces Hamana Lake and stretches for about 500 meters from east to west.
Lined with palm trees, it has a tropical atmosphere.
The 18-meter red torii gate floating on the lake is the symbol tower of Bentenjima.
From around November to January, you can enjoy the mystical and dreamlike sight of the setting sun sinking between the pillars of the symbol tower.

This museum displays around 70 self-playing musical instruments, including music boxes made from the 19th century to the early 20th century, as well as automatic pianos, organs, automata, and gramophones.
In the concert hall inside the museum, mini concerts of self-playing musical instruments are held at regular times.
At the rooftop observation deck, which offers a 360-degree panorama of Hamana Lake, the Pacific Ocean, and more, you can also enjoy beautiful performances by a carillon made up of multiple bells every hour on the hour.

This flower and greenery theme park on the shores of Hamana Lake lets you enjoy Approx. 3,000 kinds of plants blooming with the seasons across a vast 300,000-square-meter site that makes use of the natural terrain.
It is also one of the venues for Hamana Lake Flower Expo 2024, held from March 23, 2024 to June 16, 2024.
Spring is especially popular, as flowers such as wisteria, roses, Japanese irises, and hydrangeas come into season one after another like a relay.

Unagi Pie by Shunkado is one of Shizuoka’s classic souvenirs.
This playful factory lets you observe the production process of Unagi Pie, a beloved snack known for its crisp texture and perfectly balanced sweetness, and even the handrails inside the factory are shaped like eels.
In addition to seeing how the delicious pies are made, you can also shop for factory-direct products and enjoy sweets made with Unagi Pie at the café, making it a popular spot for families and couples alike.

This zoo sits on an expansive 146,000-square-meter site facing Hamana Lake and is home to about 300 animals from Approx. 90 species.
The grounds make use of the natural terrain, creating a varied landscape with the feel of a forest. In addition to observing the animals, you can also relax in the atmosphere of nature, with the sounds of insects and birds and seasonal flowers all around.

Hamamatsu Castle is where Tokugawa Ieyasu spent his days before unifying Japan.
Surrounding its castle tower, Hamamatsu Castle Park is located in the city center yet is wrapped in lush greenery, making it a relaxing spot for local residents.
Covering a spacious Approx. 10 hectares, the park is a treasure trove of nature where you can enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year.

Ryugashido Cave is located in the Oku-Hamana Lake area and was formed in rock layers dating back Approx. 250 million years.
One of the largest limestone caves in the Tokai region, it has a total length of Approx. 1,000 meters, of which 400 meters are open to the public.
Inside, you will find a mysterious space filled with stalactites formed over countless years, a true work of natural art.

This public information facility is located next to the JASDF Hamamatsu Air Base.
Because you can see real Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft and fighter jets up close, it is a popular spot with both children and adults.
On the first floor, you will find display panels introducing the structure and missions of the JASDF, along with fighter jets and cutaway engine models, and you can also take a look inside a cockpit.

This specialty eel restaurant is located on the top floor (18th floor) of Hotel Concorde Hamamatsu, next to Hamamatsu Castle.
You can enjoy eel dishes along with one of the best panoramic views in Hamamatsu from 60 meters above ground. The eel used here is carefully selected and sourced from Hamana Lake.
Hamana Lake eel is known for being slightly larger than regular eel, rich in fat, and consistently high in quality.

This is the only Sawayaka branch in Kosai City, part of the famous hamburger steak chain that operates 34 locations only within Shizuoka Prefecture.
The signature dish is the Genkotsu Hamburg, made with 100% block-cut beef and finished over charcoal.
It is loved for its rich beef flavor and wonderfully springy texture.

Nagasaka Apiary has been raising honeybees on the shores of Hamana Lake since 1935.
At its shop in Mikkabi Town, you will find a wide range of products, including mainly domestic honey, sweets and foods made with honey, and cosmetics.
The shop’s signature item is its honey soft-serve ice cream, made with honey kneaded into it. With the sweetness of milk, the richness of honey, and a smooth texture, it is irresistible, and the finishing touch is the generous extra drizzle of honey added when it is handed to you.

This resort hotel features a restaurant with outstanding views over Hamana Lake and its own hot spring source, Yuto Onsen.
At the sky restaurant on the top floor, colorful French cuisine delights both the eyes and the palate.
Each dish reflects the chef’s attention to detail and is so photogenic you will want to take a picture before eating.

This hot spring resort hotel is located in Kanzanji Onsen.
It offers seven types of guest rooms designed for spacious, high-quality relaxation, including rooms with sweeping views of Hamana Lake and others overlooking garden scenery.
For meals, you can choose either a buffet with over 50 menu items for both lunch and dinner, or a seasonal kaiseki course called Hamamatsu Power Food Kaiseki, made with a focus on local ingredients.

This resort hotel stands along the calm shores of Hamana Lake and is known for its beautiful views.
You can enjoy elegant lake views not only from the guest rooms, but also from the open-air bath and the restaurant.
At the 전망 open-air bath, you can relax in the water while gazing out over the lake spreading before you.