From Wikitravel

Hamamatsu (浜松) [1] is the largest city in Shizuoka, Japan.

[edit] Understand

An important industrial hub, the city is home to many companies, including Honda Motor Company, Kawai Pianos, Yamaha, Sony, Suzuki Motor Company and Hamamatsu Photonics as well as a large air base for Japan's defense force. Consequently, the city is well known for producing motorcycles, musical instruments and optoelectronic sensors among other things.

For its population of 818,197 (July 2006 figures), Hamamatsu is a uniquely international city. It is home to almost 19,000 Brazilians and 3,000 Peruvians, giving it the highest per-capita concentration of South Americans in Japan. The city also has sizable Indonesian, Korean, Filipino, Chinese, and Nepalese populations. The ethnic diversity here provides the city with a wide array of ethnic stores, restaurants, bars and clubs.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

From Chubu International Airport, Entetsu operates a bus called E-Wing, which runs directly to Hamamatsu. Buses depart the airport once per hour (00 minutes past in the morning, 45 minutes past in the afternoon) and reach Hamamatsu station in two hours (¥3000). Schedule in Japanese

From Narita International Airport, when exiting customs take the Airport Limosine Bus (¥3000) to Tokyo station and then purchase a ticket on the JR Tokeido Shinkansen line to Hamamatsu Station (about ¥8000). It is the 5th stop on the express train from Tokyo station and takes about 1 1/2 hours. Alternatively, take the Narita Express Train (NXT) from airport to Tokyo Station and transfer over to the Shinkansen. The upside to this is that you can purchase both train tickets from the one vendor (located at the same counter as the Airport Limosuine Bus), and the NXT puts you right into Tokyo Station.

[edit] By train

Hamamatsu is situated on both the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and the JR Tokaido Line, which serve major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

There are a handful of Hikari and Kodama services that stop in Hamamatsu. From Tokyo, there are two all-stopping Kodama trains that depart every hour, making the run to Hamamatsu in about 2 hours. Faster Hikari trains depart once every 1-2 hours, running to Hamamatsu in 90 minutes. The fare is the same for both, at ¥8070 for a reserved seat.

There are hourly departures to Hamamatsu from Osaka and Kyoto on either a Hikari (90 minutes from Osaka) or Kodama (2 hours from Osaka) service. The reserved seat fare is ¥8700 from Shin-Osaka and ¥8070 from Kyoto.

If you wish to sacrifice travel speed for savings, you can take advantage of the Puratto Kodama Ticket (in Japanese), which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a free drink on board. With this ticket a trip to Hamamatsu costs ¥6300 from Tokyo (2 hours), ¥3500 from Nagoya (50 minutes), ¥6300 from Kyoto (1 3/4 hours) and ¥6800 from Shin-Osaka (2 hours). Kodama trains run once an hour from Shin-Osaka and Kyoto; twice per hour from the other cities. A few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket.

Regular local train services on the Tokaido Line will get you from Tokyo to Hamamatsu in approximately 4-5 hours for ¥4310 with at least one change of trains required. From Osaka, it takes around the same amount of time for ¥4940 with several train changes required.

Train service from Nagoya take as little as 1 hour 40 minutes on the regular Tokaido Line (¥1890), changing at Toyohashi, or as little as 30 minutes on the Shinkansen (¥4810).

All of the above train services are free with a Japan Rail Pass.

Hamamatsu serves as a stop on the Hayabusa and Fuji overnight train services to and from Kumamoto and Oita, respectively. The Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto trains make overnight stops in Hamamatsu on runs to Izumoshi and Takamatsu.

[edit] By car

Japan's Windy City Hamamatsu gets little snow in winter, but it often feels much colder than it really is, thanks to what is known as the enshu-no-karakkaze, a very strong and dry wind which blows across Lake Hamana and into the city. If you come here in winter, hold onto your hat because the enshuu-karakkaze is one of the strongest urban winds in the world.

The Tomei Expressway, the main artery through the Chubu region, also bisects the city.

[edit] By bus

Hamamatsu serves as a major stop for bus travel throughout the country, thanks in large part to its location near the Tomei Expressway artery. Through buses may stop at the Hamamatsu Kita interchange of the expressway, a good distance from Hamamatsu station.

[edit] To/From Tokyo

There are six daily JR Tomei Liner buses that run from Tokyo to Hamamatsu Station (about 4 - 4 1/2 hours, ¥3770). Most of the runs are to Tokyo earlier in the day, and from Tokyo late in the day.

[edit] To/From Kyoto

JR Tokai Bus runs one daily round-trip bus between Hamamatsu and Kyoto via the Meishin Expressway. The trip takes about 4 1/4 hours and costs ¥6200 one way. As of October 2006, the bus leaves Hamamatsu at 8:00, and the return bus leaves Kyoto at 16:30.

[edit] Get around

The city center is easily explored on foot, but Hamamatsu is a very sprawling place, and to visit places further out such as the Fruit Park or Kanzanji Hot Springs, you will need to take an Entetsu bus from the bus station on the north side of the JR station. There is also a separate rail line operated by Entetsu, known locally as the "Akaden" line or simply, "the red train". It runs from Shin-Hamamatsu station (新浜松駅) northward to　Nishikajima station (西鹿島), where it connects with the Tenryu-Hamanako line that runs east towards Kakegawa. To find Shin-Hamamatsu station from the regular JR station, walk westward from the JR North Exit about two minutes and you will find the station behind Entetsu department store. Additionally, there is a red tourist bus which circulates between many of the sights. The cost is 100 yen.

[edit][add listing] See

• Act City Tower Observatory - Hamamatsu's only skyscraper, situated next to JR station, is a symbol of the city. It's design is supposed to resemble a harmonica, a reminder that Hamamatsu is sometimes known as the "City of Music". The building houses shopping and a food court, the Okura Hotel, and an observatory on the 45th floor from which you can see all of central Hamamatsu, even down to the sand dunes at the shore. If the weather is exceptionally clear, you can even glimpse Mount Fuji in the distance. The observatory is open daily until 7PM. Admission is 500 yen.

• Chopin Monument This is an authentic 1:1-scale replica of the famous Art Nouveau bronze statue of Chopin by the famed artist Wacław Szymanowski. The original is in Hamamatsu's sister city, Warsaw.　

• Hamamatsu Castle - Hamamatsu Castle Park stretches from the modern city hall building to the north. The castle is located on a hill in the southeast corner of the park, nearest city hall. It was built by Ieyasu Tokugawa, who is considered perhaps the greatest shogun and one of the three people most important to the unification of Japan. His rule marks the beginning of the Edo Period. Tokugawa lived here from 1571 to 1588. After the Edo Period, the castle was destroyed, and was restored in 1958. There is a small museum inside, which costs 200 yen to enter, and which houses some armor and other relics of Tokugawa as well as a minuature model of how the city might have looked 400 years ago. North of the castle is a very big park with a Japanese garden, a koi pond, a ceremonial teahouse, and some commons areas. Buses 36, 40, 41, and 50, among others stop in front of city hall (市役所前).

• Hamamatsu Flower Park - Has its own stop on the Kanzanji bus line from terminal 1 at the main bus station. Open 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1. This beautiful park has many gardens full of a variety of flowers. There is also a restaurant and shopping area. Admission ￥700.

• Hamamatsu Fruit Park - Has its own stop on the "Miyakoda Keiyu Fruit Park Iki" bus line from terminal 16 at the main bus station. Open 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1(closes at 16:30 from October through April) This unique amusement park is a working fruit farm where you can see, touch, taste, and pick a variety of fruits. Admission ￥700.

• Hamamatsu Municipal Zoo　

• Miyakoda Hiking Course - This "19 km hiking trail" is actually a route on the roads through the area. While quite confusing to the non-Japanese speaker, it does take one past Washizawa Cave, winds up the mountains to a lookout, a temple, bridges, and waterfall. A new highway being built across this area seems to have altered some roads and creates for a challenge in route-finding. Be prepared to trek 25-30 km as the 19 km length assumes one does not get lost. Take the Enshu Railroad to Nishikajima station (460 yen one way). Transfer to the Tenryu-Hamanko Railroad which leaves hourly at 35 minutes after the hour and take that to Miyakoda station (360 yen one way). Once at Miyakoda station look for a signpost showing the hiking route, these will be at most major intersections on the route.

• Nakatajima Sand Dunes (中田島砂丘)

[edit] Festivals

• Shoryu Weeping Plum Blossom Festival - February/March

• Princess Road Festival - April

• Hamamatsu Festival - early May - This 400-plus-year-old festival is famous throughout Japan. In what is known as the Takoage Gassen, every neighborhood in the city and even some from other cities design and make their own kites to fly and to fight near Nakatajima Sand Dunes. There are parades all over the city well into the night, in which children playing various instruments are carried in large ornate parade floats. Everywhere there are groups marching and chanting to the sound of trumpets, and the sake flows freely.

• Hamakita Hiryu Festival - June

• Enshu Dainenbutsu (Buddhist Chanting Ritual) - July 15

• Hamakita Manyo Festival - October

• Inasa Puppet Festival - November

• Akiha Fire Festival - December

• Hanabi Taikai - There are many fireworks displays in the area during the summer. The largest of these is Fukuroi Enshu no Hanabi held in Fukuroi, a small town a few stops east on the JR line. This celebration in early August is one of the largest fireworks displays in Japan, with over 30,000 fireworks. Within Hamamatsu city limits, there are also impressive hanabi taikais in Bentenjima (late June), Kanzanji (late July), and Tenryu (early August).

• There are also various festivals and performance to celebrate the Japanese-Brazilian heritage that is so prevalent in this area.

[edit] Museums

• Hamamatsu Art Museum - Just one stop up the road from city hall is Hamamatsu's art museum. Exhibits vary. The bus stop is called bijutsukan (美術館).

• Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments - 108-1 Itaya-machi, Tel. 053-451-1128. This museum, just northeast of Act City Tower, houses a collection of over 2,000 kinds of ethnic instruments from around the world. Each instrument has a display attached, with headphones so you can listen to the sound of the instrument. The museum also has a hands-on room, where you can play many types of instruments; drums, xylophones, sitars and native japanese instruments. This is a child friendly museum. Admission ￥400

• Air Park - This museum is on the airbase near Takaoka-cho and displays some aircrafts and other items. It also has a flight simulator and a theatre. Closed Mondays. Admission free.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Visit Pal-Pal Amusement Park. Rollercoasters, Japan's longest raft ride, and a cable car ride over Lake Hamana are among the attractions at this park in Kanzanji.　Get to Kanzanji by bus from terminal 1 at the central bus station. Admission ￥1000.
• Learn to do Takiya-ryo (Torch Fishing) at Lake Hamana. This method of spear fishing at night is unique to the area. You can rent a boat for up to 4 people、including an experienced fisherman, for ￥27,000 yen. For a little extra you can have your catch cooked and served. Closed from Nov. to April.
• See, touch, and learn about Lake Hamana aquatic life at Hamanako Hands-on Aquarium. A short walk from Bentenjima station, 3 stops west on the JR line from JR Hamamatsu. Closed on Mondays. Admission ￥300.
• Take a pleasure boat on Lake Hamana between Kanzanji Hot Spring and Mikkabi-cho. Admission ￥1150.
• Watch boat racing on Lake Hamana, one of only a few such venues in Japan.
• Go rafting or take a guided float down the Tenryuu River.
• Ride a historic trolley from Tenryu Futamata station through beautiful countryside to Mikkabi.
• Watch auto or motorcycle racing at Hamamatsu Race Track. Seasonal. Admission ￥50.
• Take hot bath (sento) in Yu Fuukei Shiori, not so far from the city center (Tel: 053-478-2626).
• Watch a movie in Toho Cinemas, in the Zaza City Complex.
• Get a thai massage at Celeb, located near Lake Hamana. Phone number is 053-449-0478 (but use 053-448-7178 for your navigation system, which is the number of the bakery shop cafe "marutaya" at the first floor of same building). The manager of the place obtained her license in Thailand, and speaks little English. Warm atmosphere, and professional service.
• Go to the Hamamatsu Municipal Museum of Art, Tel：053-454-6801 (near Hamamatsu Castle).

[edit][add listing] Buy

Unagi Pie If you need to buy omiyage from Hamamatsu to give to Japanese friends or co-workers, the typical gift here is called unagi pai, or "eel pie". Actually more of a cookie made with eel bones, these individually-wrapped treats can be purchased at a store next to the south exit of the JR station, or at any number of pastry shops around town.

• May One - This is the department store located inside the main JR station. It includes a lot of clothing shops, a bookstore, a CD shop, a Muji (top quality generic items), and an import store called Sony Plaza, among other things. There is a food court at the top and a high-quality grocery store in the basement.

• Entetsu Department Store - Just west of the JR station. High quality clothing and other items. The basement contains a wonderful grocery and deli.

• ZaZa City - Up Kajimachi-dori (かじ町通り) from the JR station. Amongst varied clothing shops, ZaZa City has a musical instrument store, a movie theater, a supermarket, a manga store, a video arcade, Toys'R'Us, Starbucks, MosBurger, Baskin Robbins, Uniqlo and more.

• Jusco/Aeon Malls - Hamamatsu has three of these somewhat western-style shopping malls. You'll have to catch a bus to these. The largest is in Shitoro-cho (志都呂町).

• Yajimaya - This is the bookstore with the largest collection of books in English in town. It is on the road that crosses in front of the city hall, a little south of Yurinoki-dori (ゆりの木通り), directly across from a huge izakaya called Dragonfish. If you don't find what you need here, it's best to take the JR line a few stops west to the Seibunkan bookstore in Toyohashi.

• Duty-Free Hamamatsu - This Brazilian-owned shop and the small shop across the corner from it sell cheap Japanese souvenirs and gift items. Walk west from the JR station's north exit, under the Akaden line and turn left at the McDonalds. Go straight until you come to the train overpass.

• Sago - There are a number of clothings shops on the first two floors of the Sago Hotel building on Yuraku-gai, including a used clothing store which sells clothes by the kilo-- good for the bargain traveler whose threads are wearing thin.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Bakeries

• Chambord has several bakeries around town, serving a variety of fresh-baked breads and pastries. There is a location with a deli inside the JR station. One other bakery is across the street from Shin-Hamamatsu station, and another is at the corner of Yuraku-gai and Daiichi-dori.
• Kobeya (part of a chain, rather upscale) is both a bakery shop and a restaurant.

[edit] Brazilian

• Servitu - One block west of the station on the south side of the rail tracks. Servitu combines a good Brazilian restaurant with other Brazilian-oriented services such as video rental, Portuguese book and magazine sales, and an import grocery store.
• Tertullia - An all-you-can-eat Brazilian rodizio. A salad bar and a variety of fine cuts of meat served until you feel as if you will explode. Take bus 90, 92, or 93 to the stop called Hougawa (芳川). Then continue walking in the direction of the bus another block to Route 1, cross it, and take a right. Tertullia is about a block down on the left. Note: there are at least two restaurants of Tertullia, one on Route One (tel 053 427 2851), and the other in Tenno-Cho (tel 053 421 9112).

[edit] Coffee

• Pronto Cafe - Good coffee in a sophisticated atmosphere directly beneath Shin-Hamamatsu station. There is plenty of outdoor seating, and the inside shares space with the DJ booth for FM Haro, a popular local radio station.
• Starbucks - Two locations in the center are very popular, one on the corner across from Shin-Hamamatsu station and the other in ZaZa City.
• In the warmer months there is an outdoor coffeeshop between the main JR station and the Entetsu department store. It's perfect for people-watching.

[edit] Filipino

• Barrio Festa - located on a sidestreet a block south of Yurinoki-dori.

[edit] French

• Chez Moriya - Near Lake Sanaru. Five-ten minutes drive from the city center, but well worth the trip, considering that the chef has worked in several top restaurants in Europe (including Belgian "Comme Chez Soi" [2] and Paris "L'Arpege" [3]). The chef who is by the way very friendly, and speaks French plus English. More information on the website [4] or tel 053 484 0700.
• Infini - In the Tomitsuka neigborhood down the street from Kyorindo and next to Patisserie Akiyama. Cozy atmosphere and terrific wine list. Open for lunch and dinner daily, closed Tuesdays. Definitely best to call for a reservation. Limited English capabilities. Telephone 053 473 3955.

[edit] Indian

• Aside from Garuda (see below), there are a number of other Indian restaurants, including Everest, a more upscale version of Garuda. There is also an Indian restaurant in the basement of the Sago Hotel, Kabila, and Kumar in the food court of Act City Tower.

[edit] Indonesian

• Garuda - On Yūraku-gai about two blocks north of Hunters. The menu here is about half Indonesian and half Nepalese. There is also a import grocery store attached, with items from various Asian countries.
• Surabaya - Located in the basement of the Sago Hotel on Yūraku-gai.
• Payaka - Mixture of Indonesian, and Thai food. Theme is "island life". Located a little bit out of the center (5 minutes by taxi), but truly a hidden pearl. Large terrace for summer nights, and very cozy/loungy interior. There is also a little shop selling jewelry and the like. Tel: 053 451 6906 or website [5].
• Roba No Mimi - Same owner and food as Payaka, further out of the center, and less cosy interior.

[edit] Italian

• Osteria da Michele - Small cafe on the sidestreet parallel to Yuraku-gai, near Yurinoki-dori.
• Ottimo - Pasta and dessert at the corner of Yūraku-gai and Yurinoki-dori. A bit expensive.
• Pronto Cafe - Good pizza and pasta dishes at only about 600 yen. Full bar. Located directly beneath Shin-Hamamatsu station. Closes nightly at 10 PM.
• Snowee Cafe - Not everything on the menu is Italian, but the pasta dishes are good. This place on the restaurant floor of May One is worth a visit if only to puzzle over the ridiculously nonsensical English phrases written all over the walls.

[edit] Japanese

Hamamatsu is very famous for eel from Lake Hamana, and unagi (うなぎ) restaurants can be found all over the city. Perhaps the most famous one is located in a black-facaded building next to the Meitetsu Hotel. Fresh seafood from Lake Hamana is always available. Another famous local delicacy is suppon (すっぽん), or snapping turtle. Hamamatsu has Japan's second-highest per-capita sales of gyoza as well (but first prize still goes to Utsunomiya).

• Binchou Oogiya (備長扇屋) - A chain of yakitori shops, with some of the cheapest beer in town. Of the 7 stores, there are three in the city center: one across the street from the southeast corner of the JR station, one on Yūraku-gai a block south of ZaZa City, and one on Kajimachi-dori directly across from ZaZa City.
• Toraya (とらや) - On the second floor above a fruit stand at Daiichi-dori and Yūraku-gai, this mom-and-pop shop has some of the best cook-it-yourself okonomiyaki in town.
• Bengara Yokocho - A long indoor arcade just north of Shin-Hamamatsu station which houses around 15 ramen or yakitori shops.
• Any number of big chain restaurants can be found in Hamamatsu as well, including Wara Wara (笑笑), Doma Doma (どまどま), Hana no Mai (花の舞), Shirokiya (白木屋), Za-Watami (座和民), Gyu-Kaku (牛角), and others.
• A long string of Japanese restaurants can be found on Daiichi-dori between Yuraku-gai and Daiichi-dori station.
• May One department store has a number of Japanese restaurants on its food court level.
• Tensuguri [6] is a fantastic, stylish tempura restaurant near Yamada Denki.

[edit] Mexican

• Junk - It's not terribly authentic, but it's the closest you can find in Hamamatsu. See the listing under Drink for directions.

[edit] Middle Eastern

• No Name Bar, [7]. Serves delicious kebabs and other Middle Eastern food. There is a fancy Middle Eastern dinner one Sunday a month. See the listing under Drink.

• On the weekends next to the Starbucks in ZaZa City, there is a Turkish gentleman who sets up a kebab stand. You can occasionally find him set up late at night in front of one of the clubs as well.

[edit] Pizza

• Dai Dai - A 3rd floor bar and restaurant on Yuraku-gai just north of No Name Bar and Duas Queens. Personal pizzas are very cheap at 400 yen and very popular. The place is often booked with private parties on weekends.

• Hi-Hoo - Pizza place in the basement of the Sago Hotel.

• There are also local franchises of big pizza chains like Strawberry Cones, Pizza-La [8], and Pizza Time. They deliver, but you'd best order in Japanese.

[edit] Russian

• There is a gourmet Russian restaurant just west off of Yuraku-gai at its southern end. Look for the sign that reads "PECTOPAH".

[edit] Thai and Vietnamese

• Gris-Gris [9] - This French-Vietnamese restaurant is located in the E-Stage Hamamatsu building about 5 blocks directly north of the station. Very popular at lunch.

• Saigon Restaurant [10] - Vietnamese restaurant near Toyoda-cho station, which is two train stops away from Hamamatsu station. Affordable and great food (try the gember juice), plus cosy/nicely decorated dining room.

• There are also some Thai and Vietnamese restaurants in Izumi-cho(泉町). It's a bit far from the center, but if you get the craving, take bus 41 or 50 and get off at Izumi-cho Minami (泉町南) and walk north a bit.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Bars and pubs

Many of the drinking establishments in town can be found on or around Yūraku-gai (有楽街), which runs vaguely north-south about 4 blocks west-northwest of the JR station. At ZaZa City shopping complex, it intersects Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), which is the main street leading northwest from the station.

• Liquid Kitchen - All drinks are 500 yen, located on the 3f in Daiku machi, good music, good people, open Tuesday to Sunday from 8pm, Drink for free on your BIRTHDAY. "Free beer tomorrow"

• DownUnder Cafe, Kajimachi-dōri (かじ町通り), in the center of the city directly across from StarBucks at ZaZa City shopping complex, [11]. Owned and run by an Australian guy and has very friendly staff. Ground floor and 1st floor and has outside tables which are great in summer for people watching. 4 large TV screens. Popular with expats, very busy on weekends, with a mix of English teachers, Japanese, and Brazilians. Free internet access, free pool table and electronic darts board. They have all types of Australian beer and mixed drinks, meat and chicken pies imported from Australia, pizza, grilled sandwiches and nachos. Most beers are 500 yen. Some Fridays there are live bands. No cover.

• No Name Bar, [12]. On the 3rd floor of a building in Chitose-chō (千歳町) at the south end of Yūrakugai across from the large Ryukoh pachinko. The place is run by a friendly Kurd from Turkey and his Japanese wife. The clientele is more international here than most places in town, with Brazilians, Peruvians, Russians, Koreans, Bangladeshis and Indians, the few random continental Europeans around, and of course a healthy group of English teachers and Japanese folk. Electronic dart board and free broadband internet access. Watch out for the raki.

• Mein Schloss - A very large German beer hall a couple of blocks northeast of the JR station. They brew their own beer here and it is a very popular place for expats who have lived in Hamamatsu for some time to gather and chat. Great for big parties as well.

• Entetsu Beer Garden - June through the end of August. Sitting atop the Entetsu department store, this is a fairly standard Japanese-style beer garden: mediocre food, cold beer, fresh air.

• Crossover Bar - A sizeable darts bar right on Yūraku-gai a short walk north from ZaZa City. Prices are a bit on the high side, but the crowd is good sometimes.

• G Bar - A shoebox-sized bar on Daiichi-doori (第一通り) a block and a half east of Yūraku-gai. The bar seats only about eight people, but the owner is a cool guy (doesn't speak much English though). People who are there generally seem willing to chat.

• Antenna - Popular basement bar next to G Bar.

• Duas Queens - This ground-floor bar next to No Name Bar is run by the most tattoo-covered 50-something-year-old Japanese woman you'll find in Hamamatsu. Occasional live music on weekends. Very popular with the Brazilian-Japanese crowd as well as English-speaking foreigners and Japanese.

• Junk - Japanese-run country-western-saloon-style bar. Country music, chili, tacos, the whole bit. On Mondays they have an English conversation night where native speakers can show up for a free beer and chat with Japanese of various English levels. From the center of ZaZa City near the Starbucks, cross the main street and head to the left. Turn right at the first street and you'll find Junk about two blocks down on the right.

• Maneuver - This bar is located on the third floor of a building a block west of Yūraku-gai and a block north of Yurinoki-dori (ゆりの木通り). Used to be a gaijin sports bar called Stadz, but now has been bought and changed drastically by a Japanese guy who speaks no English whatsoever. A kind of quietly classy-looking place. They still play some sport games on TV sometimes. A bit pricey.

• Hambolt - Near the corner of Yūraku-gai and Daiichi-dori (第一通り). This small club/bar hosts frequent reggae events. On Fridays they charge only 3000 yen for all-you-can-drink highballs, all night long.

• There are of course a large number of karaoke places along Yūraku-gai as well.

[edit] Clubs

Hamamatsu has a lot of options for clubbing for a city its size, though most of these are open only on the weekends. Most places do not start getting busy until after midnight.

• Fahrenheit - Busy on Fridays and absolutely packed on Saturdays, this club has a regular American hip-hop group and frequently brings in DJs from Tokyo. The crowd is a good mix of Japanese, Latino, and English-speakers. 3000 yen w/ one drink. No shorts, no sandals. To find it, walk north from ZaZa City on Yuuraku-gai and take the first sidestreet to the left.

• K'noas - Medium-sized Peruvian-owned club. The music ranges from salsa and forro to rock to house, sometimes all in one night. This place can get very crowded on weekend nights. The crowd is typically about half Peruvian and half Brazilian. To find it, go south of the JR station and take a left on the first main street. K'noas is about 2 blocks down on the left. Cover is 1000 yen.

• Hunters - Recently opened Brazilian-centric dance hall located at the corner of Yuuraku-gai and Yurinoki-dori. Look for the fountain statue of a girl playing viola, and head down the stairs.
• Seconds - A small Japanese dance club on an upper floor across from the Toys'R'Us store in ZaZa City. Plays house or hip-hop. Cover is usually 2000 yen.

• Powerhouse - A small Nigerian-owned club on a sidestreet a block north of ZaZa City, just down the street from Fahrenheit. Plays mostly hip-hop. This place is very popular with the Nigerian and Filipino communities here, with a smattering of Brazilians and Japanese.

• Planet Cafe - This medium-sized club is located on a sidestreet that runs behind the Viola Building at the corner of Yuuraku-gai and Yurinoki-dori (ゆりの木通り). The crowd is mostly Japanese, and the DJs are often really good. Cover, 2000-3000 yen.

• Klan Klub - On Daiichi-dori (第一通り) a block east of the Akaden line. This recently-remodeled club plays a mix of Brazilian music, rock, and house. Drinks are in the 500-yen-range. This place can be quite happening on weekends. Cover around 1000 yen.

• Emporio Cafe - Underground in the pedestrian pass-under across from the main post office on Kajimachi-dori (かじ町通り). There is a salsa class here on Wednesdays but not so busy. On weekends the music varies but is typically heavy on salsa. Brazilian bar snacks. There is a cover charge but they often stop charging after 3:30 or 4 AM if it's not busy.

[edit] Live music

• Hamamatsu Force - A good ol' rock-n-roll venue that features rock and punk bands, both Japanese and Brazilian, with the occasional road show coming through. Located on Yuuraku-gai half a block south of Yurinoki-dori (ゆりの木通り), on the second and third floors above the Quest Music guitar specialty shop. Open at least every Fri.,Sat., sometimes other days. Cover varies.

• Mescaline Drive - A tiny hole-in-the-wall live venue with mostly ska bands. Located one block north of Shin-Hamamatsu station.

• The circular performance space between the two ZaZa City buildings also has frequent live performances on weekend afternoons.

• Schedules for the concert hall at Act City can be obtained at the HICE information center. See below.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Business Hotel Tsujiume Honkan, 355-2 Sunayama-cho, Tel.053-453-1711 Fax 053-453-1712
• Fitness Hotel 330, 353-1, Sunayama-cho, Tel. 053-454-0330 Fax 053-452-0047
• Grand Hotel, 1-3-1 Higashi Iba (東井場), [13].
• Hotel Bouquet Tokai, 353-7 Sunayama-cho, Tel. 053-456-8111 Fax 053-452-9022
• Hotel Concorde, 109-18 Motoshiro (元城町), Tel. 053-457-1111, [14].
• Hotel LeMonde, 335-14 Sunayama-cho, Tel. 053-455-1188 Fax 053-455-1028
• Hotel Villa Kuretake 1-1-26 Higashi Iba (東井場), Tel. 053-453-0880 Fax. 053-453-2988, Email: info@villa-kuretake.co.jp; Single ￥8,000/Double ￥15,000
• Hotel Yonekyu, 94 Tenma-cho Hamamatsu-shi, Tel. 053-455-3131 Fax 053-455-0531
• Maruko Inn, 324-15 Sunayama-cho, Tel. 053-457-0505 Fax 053-454-8083
• Meijiya Hotel, 1-1-30 Sato, Tel. 053-465-8111 Fax 053-461-1308,
• Meitetsu Hotel, 110-17 Itaya-Machi (板屋町), Tel. 053-452-5111, [15]. Singles ￥12,100/Doubles ￥21,000
• Okura Hotel, [16]. Inside Act Tower.
• Roynet Hotel, 218-1 Motoshiro-cho (元城町). This hotel is 2 minutes walk from city hall and Hamamatsu Castle Park.
• Sago Hotel, [17] (website in Japanese only). This hotel is conveniently located on Yuraku-gai very close to ZaZa City.
• Sago Inn, 2-3-1 Ebizuka, Tel. 053-456-3511 Fax 053-456-1460
• Sago Terminal Hotel, 322-7 Sunayama-cho, Tel. 053-453-3515 Fax 053-453-5954
• South Garden Hotel, 325-30 Sunayama-cho Tel. 053-451-1800 Fax 053-451-1801. Just south of the central train station on the left.

[edit] Contact

There is an information center inside the JR station. Another more comprehensive information center, called HICE (Hamamatsu Foundation for International Communications and Exchanges) [18], can be found on the 7th floor of the Forte building, directly north across the walking arcade from the Entetsu department store. There is free internet access on the second floor of this building (half an hour per person per day only). There are also two internet cafes on Yuraku-gai. One is called Popeye Media Cafe and is located above the Denny's near ZaZa City. The other is about two blocks north from ZaZa City on the right, called Fujiyama Cafe.

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