Hamamatsu

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.

Location: Shizuoka Prefecture

Inception: April 1, 1889

Capital city: Naka-ku

Reference: 221309

Part of: San-En-Nanshin, Hamamatsu metropolitan area, Shizuoka–Hamamatsu Major Metropolitan Area

Shares border with: Tenryu, Iida, Toyone, Toei, Shinshiro, Toyohashi, Kawanehon, Mori, Shimada, Kosai, Iwata

Website: https://city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp/hamavtn

GPS coordinates: 34.71089,137.72619

Latest update: December 15, 2025 00:21