Japan's City of Music has Culture, History and….Gyoza! Why Hamamatsu needs to be on your Japan Wish-List

Hamamatsu

As Japan commences steps towards reopening to international holidaymakers, Hamamatsu is looking forward to welcoming travelers. Located ideally between Tokyo and Osaka, Hamamatsu is blessed with stunning scenery, delectable food, welcoming locals, history, culture and oh so much to see and do. Here we introduce a short-list of what not-to-miss, the must-try local fare and why you should spend a few days experiencing Hamamatsu.

Top Attractions- Hamamatsu has many must-visit attractions, here is our short list:

• Hamamatsu Flower Park- on the edge of Lake Hamana this botanical garden showcased over 3,000 varieties of flora, stunning at anytime of year, the tulips and cherry blossoms of spring are a delight, followed by the wisteria in April and May.
• Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments- the home of Japan’s musical instrument industry would not be complete without a museum to trace its history.
• Kanzanji Ropeway- make sure you cross the lake in style and take in the incredible views.
• Nukumori no Mori - this village like attraction straight out of a fairy tale, a place to rekindle the magic of make believe.
• Hamamatsu Air Park- a must for aviation fans and wannabe pilots with 19 planes, this defence force attraction offers the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of some aircraft as well as try out a flight simulator!

Get snap happy- Thanks to the geography, Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana offer some amazingly photogenic vistas, get posting with some of these special scenic spots combining Japanese traditions with natures beauty.

• Hamamatsu Castle, the former home of famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in his youth in the 1500s, the castle and stunning grounds make it a visual treat in any season.
• Benten Island’s Torii Gate makes for a stunning site especially at sunset, if you are lucky enough to visit between 20 November and 20 January the sun sets in the centre of the gate when looking across Lake Hamana from the Seaside Park on Benten Island.
• Shibuki Bridge the quintessential red arched bridge against the lake and sky is an instagrammers delight year-round.

History, Culture and… Matchmaking- over 1000 years of history and tradition just waiting to be explored.

• Kanzanji Temple- climb up the stairs to this special temple to pray for love. A matchmaking Jizo has been enshrined here since the Meiji period. The history of the temple dates way back to 810.
• Ryotanji Temple - don’t miss this historic temple for the two elegant gardens and the main hall steeped in the history of generation of warlords and intrigue.  An absolute must for an autumn itinerary.

Must-try Local Foodie Treats

Matcha Green Tea– There are plenty of places to sample the exquisite high quality Japanese teas of Shizuoka Prefecture in Hamamatsu. At Shointei, in the corner of Hamamatsu Castle Park, a daily tea ceremony is a welcome break for vistors to slow down the pace and sample green matcha tea.

See- Shointei Teahouse

Unaju Eel Boxes - Broiled eel is a local speciality, people travel from all over Japan to sample this delicacy served in lacquer lunch boxes. Unaju makes for the most satisfying lunch and opportunity to refuel whilst sightseeing.

Gyoza (dumplings)- don’t forget the Gyoza, Hamamatsu is one of the 2 most famous places in all Japan to enjoy Gyoza and apparently has the highest sales in the country. Originally a traditional Chinese food, these dumplings can be steamed, boiled, grilled, or fried. Hamamatsu Gyoza are filled with cabbage, onion, and pork. So famous infact, that there is a Hamamatsu Gyoza Map (produced by the Hamamatsu Gyoza Society) for Gyoza loving visitors, and the annual Gyoza Festival always draws a big crowd. See- Hamamatsu Gyoza

Hamamatsu

Oysters – Lake Hamana has a long history of oyster cultivation. The season is from October through to the middle of March, and for an authentic local experience check-out the oyster shacks tents where you can enjoy the oysters freshly grilled. See- Hamanako Oysters

Where to stay? Hamamatsu has a wide selection of accommodation options to suit all budgets from modern city centre hotel to picturesque ryokan. See- Hamamatsu Accommodation

Recommended Itinerary: Want to see it all in 2 days? check our recommended itinerary to take in all the highlights LINK

Website: https://www.hamamatsu-japan.com/en/