[ad_1]
Hamamatsu is a metropolis I’ve wished to go to for a very long time—so way back, actually, that I can’t keep in mind why I initially wished to go.
It’s additionally a spot to which I’ve beforehand canceled two deliberate visits. First in September 2022, when a hurricane roared throughout Shizuoka prefecture on the day I deliberate to go. And second in April 2023, when the contours of that yr’s sakura bloom meant it made sense to go elsewhere at the moment.
Fortunately, I lastly ticked town off my bucket checklist in October 2023, so I can now reply the query I think about has level you towards this put up. Is Hamamatsu price visiting?
The place (or Whether or not) to Keep in Hamamatsu
I’ve completed my fair proportion of looking for Hamamatsu accommodations. On my first and second journeys (each of which by no means ended up taking place), I had a keep booked on the metropolis’s Daiwa Roynet, which as it’s possible you’ll keep in mind is one in all my favourite enterprise resort manufacturers in Japan. The third time, I ended up reserving a room at Kitanoiwa The Kuretakeso, the place I used to be extraordinarily excited to sleep for an evening.
In the long run, nonetheless—and for causes relating extra to logistics and my power degree than to Hamamatsu itself, or to its deserves as a vacation spot—I merely ended up coming for morning and afternoon from Tokyo. Whereas I don’t doubt that I’d’ve loved Hamamatsu extra had I stayed in a single day, the excellent news is that I now have first-hand proof that it really works stunning as a day journey from Tokyo.
Issues to Do in Hamamatsu (if You Go)
Say a prayer beneath the Coronary heart Sutra
I’ll be trustworthy: I don’t have a lot in-depth data about Buddhism, regardless of how a lot I’ve traveled in Japan and Asia extra broadly. Nonetheless, there’s one thing viscerally shifting in regards to the huge calligraphy of the world’s largest Coronary heart Sutra scripture, which is housed within the in any other case atypical Ryoun-ji temple, situated about quarter-hour from Hamamatsu Station by bus.
Benefit from the view from ACT Metropolis
One other factor that makes Hamamatsu price visiting? The panoramic views from ACT Metropolis, which is way and away the best skyscraper within the metropolis. Whereas the precise sights exterior the home windows of the tower gained’t imply a lot to you for those who aren’t already accustomed to Hamamatsu’s cityscape, its comfort to town heart and comparatively low worth (¥1,000) make coming right here a no brainer.
Study the surprisingly necessary historical past of Hamamatsu Fort
I left Hamamatsu Fort, which is a duplicate and actually indistinguishable from most different duplicate castles in Japan, with a tragic conclusion: Hamamatsu is a metropolis with a legacy of defeat. That is over-simplistic, in fact, and likewise over-dramatic, although there may be some fact to it. Definitely, the truth that Tokugawa Ieyasu misplaced a essential battle right here didn’t bode effectively for the prominence of town.
Absorb some recent air at Nakatajima Dunes
Though Hamamatsu is a comparatively massive metropolis, nature is an enormous a part of what makes Hamamatsu price visiting. The primary possibility is to move south to Nakatajima Sand Dunes the place pine timber tower over hilly seashores above the ocean—in my thoughts, that is most likely the place Hamamatsu’s identify comes from. Alternatively, you’ll be able to head west to Lake Hamana, although that is farther away and can take extra time.
Eat gyoza—or, for those who’re fortunate, Brazilian meals
Though Hamamatsu has a big Brazilian inhabitants and options outstanding Portuguese signage, it has a surprisingly restricted number of Brazilian eating places, most of that are solely open on weekends. The excellent news? Despite the fact that I’m not an enormous fan of Hamamatsu’s well-known type of gyoza, they’re out there in all places, making it simple to pattern native delicacies.
How Many Days Do You Want in Hamamatsu?
Hamamatsu is a pretty big metropolis, albeit one which isn’t practically as loaded up on sights at Tokyo, Kyoto and even Nagoya. Had I stayed in a single day, I’d’ve solely spent one evening, which might’ve allowed me to bifurcate my sightseeing: Sure sights simply earlier than (and after) sundown on day one; and others in the course of the morning hours of day two.
After all, I’ve solely skilled Hamamatsu (not less than thus far) as a day journey from Tokyo, so I can’t remark (not less than not but) on how staying the evening would’ve improved or enhanced town. What I can say is that irrespective of what number of days in Hamamatsu you spend—and certainly, even for those who don’t spend a full day—it’s a straightforward metropolis to take pleasure in, and one you’ll be unhappy to go away whenever you to depart.
Different FAQ About Visiting Hamamatsu
What’s Hamamatsu identified for?
Amongst vacationers, Hamamatsu is thought for having its personal number of gyoza, in addition to for sights comparable to Hamamatsu Fort and the world’s largest Coronary heart Sutra, which is housed inside unassuming Ryoun-ji temple. It’s additionally identified for being a secondary cease alongside the Tokaido Shinkansen route, one which most individuals merely don’t disembark at.
How do you get round Hamamatsu?
Hamamatsu doesn’t have a subway system, nevertheless it does have an enormous bus community; all buses in Hamamatsu originate on the round bus depot simply exterior the north exit of Hamamatsu Station. For those who’re not sure about how the bus system works, I’ve discovered that Google Maps is fairly correct at sending you in the fitting course.
What’s Hamamatsu gyoza?
Hamamatsu is legendary for its personal kind of gyoza, which function the greens (largely cabbage) inside them way more prominently than the pork. They’re pan-fried, like regular gyoza, however are much less crispy and because of this, as much less scrumptious for my part. I’d truly been excited to attempt them and located them vastly disappointing.
The Backside Line
So, is Hamamatsu price visiting? Definitely, Hamamatsu proved to be well worth the wait—each I attraction I discover impressed me—even when I want, wanting again, that I’d spent not less than an evening there, as an alternative of taking a day journey from Tokyo. If I’m trustworthy, then again, I don’t know if I’ll ever return to Hamamatsu; I really feel I’m happy with all I’ve seen and completed there, not less than for now. Regardless, for those who need assistance getting off Japan’s crushed path (whether or not or not that’s right here or in one other place), I do hope you’ll take into account commissioning a customized Japan itinerary. I leverage greater than a decade of expertise exploring Japan’s underrated reaches to create a visit that’s uniquely you!
[ad_2]