Hamamatsu, Industrial city in western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Hamamatsu is an industrial city in Shizuoka Prefecture that stretches between Lake Hamana and the Tenryu River. Mountains rise to the north while the south faces the Pacific coast.
The place gained importance when Tokugawa Ieyasu made Hamamatsu Castle his residence in 1570. He stayed there for 17 years before unifying Japan.
The Museum of Musical Instruments displays around 1500 pieces from different continents, reflecting the local tradition of crafting pianos and guitars. Workshops and factories sometimes open their doors to visitors who want to see how these instruments are made.
The city connects to major destinations through the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line, with trains reaching Tokyo in roughly 90 minutes. From there you can explore both the northern mountains and the southern coast.
Lake Hamana was the site of Japan's first eel farming operations, and today restaurants across the city serve this local specialty in different preparations. Some establishments also offer tours to the farming facilities where you can follow the entire process.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
