Things to do in Hamamatsu

18 activities, venues and outings in Hamamatsu, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Akiba Fire Festival
秋葉山火祭り, Akiba-san Hi-matsuri
Celebrating the supposed fire-prevention powers of Mt. Akiba, this festival is held at Akiba Temple and Shrine atop the famous mountain, with fire-walking, fire dances, and various weapon dances.
December 15
Do
Hamanako Pleasure Boat
浜名湖遊覧船, Hamanako Yūransen
This ferry runs between Kanzanji Hot Spring and Mikkabi-cho, giving some nice views of Lake Hamana. The round trip takes about an hour.
Daily 09:00-16:00Round trip ¥1150
Do
Pal-Pal Amusement Park
浜名湖パルパル
Rollercoasters, Japan's longest raft ride, and a cable car ride over Lake Hamana are among the attractions at this park in Kanzanji.
¥1000
Do
Torch Fishing
Takiya-ryo
This method of spear fishing at night is unique to the Lake Hamana area. You can rent a boat for up to 4 people, including an experienced fisherman, for ¥27,000. For a little extra you can have your catch cooked and served.
May to October
Do
Wotto Hamanako Aquatic Experience Center
浜名湖体験学習施設ウォット, Hamanako Taiken Gakushuu Shisetsu Wotto
At this hands-on aquarium, you can see, touch, and learn about aquatic life in Lake Hamana.
Tue-Sun 09:00-16:30¥300
Do Not mapped
Enshu Buddhist Chanting Ritual
遠州大念仏, Enshuu Dainenbutsu
In this local traditional performance, a procession of chanters and people with flutes, drums, cymbals and lanterns visit the homes of families who have lost a loved one in the last year.
Around July 14
Do Not mapped
Hamakita Hiryū Festival
浜北飛龍まつり, Hamakita Hiryū Matsuri
In honor of Ryūjin, god of the Tenryuu River, various events are held including kite-flying, a gyoza competition, and a special event celebrating fire, water, and sound.
First weekend of June
Do Not mapped
Hamakita Man'yō Festival
浜北万葉まつり, hamakita man'yō matsuri
Features re-enactments of life in the Nara and early Heian periods with people dressed in authentic period clothing and dramatic Manyo poetry readings.
Third weekend of October
Do Not mapped
Hamamatsu Festival
浜松祭り, Hamamatsu Matsuri
This 450-year-old festival is one of the most famous Golden Week festivals in 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 at the festival grounds near Nakatajima Sand Dunes, with each kite representing a son born to a family of the neighborhood within the last year. The kite-fighting takes place on the third day of the 3-day festival and results entertainingly in downed kites in trees and on rooftops all over the neighborhood. In the Sunken Garden space on the north side of Act City, there is an international food court with many exotic stalls, and a stage for all kinds of music and cultural performances from around the world, including taiko drumming, local yaramaika music, Thai kickboxing, Brazilian batucada and samba dancing performances, jazz acts, jugglers, and traditional dances. There are also parades all over the city well into the night, in which children playing various instruments are carried in 70 large ornate parade floats. Everywhere there are groups marching and chanting to the sound of trumpets, and the sake flows freely.
At Golden Week in early MayFree
Do Not mapped
Hamamatsu Yukata Festival
Hamamatsu is one of Japan's leading producers of the patterned, dyed fabric used to make yukata, and this small festival celebrates the beauty of this colored "summer kimono" with musical performances, food stalls, a yukata contest, and other exhibitions.
First weekend of July
Do Not mapped
Inasa Puppet Festival
いなさ人形劇まつり, Inasa ningyōgeki Matsuri
A rarity in Japan, this festival brings puppeteers from across the country for three full days of over 60 performances. Great for kids.
Third weekend of November
Do Not mapped
Misakubo Festival
水窪祭り, Misakubo Matsuri
This mountain festival features a costume contest in the afternoon and parades of costumed men carrying elaborate floats in the evening.
Second Sat in SeptemberFree
Do Not mapped
Miyakoda Hiking Course
都田ハイキングコース
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 in the mountains a temple, bridges, a waterfall, and finally to Takisawa Observation Platform. 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.
Do Not mapped
Princess Road Procession
姫様道中, Hime-sama Dōchū
During the Edo Period this road was a popular excursion spot for princesses. This matsuri re-enacts what the procession was like, with actors in full authentic dress of samurai, maids, servants and, of course, the princess with her palanquin.
first Sat and Sun of April, early afternoon
Do Not mapped
Sakuma Dam Festival
佐久間ダムまつり, Sakuma Damu Matsuri
This festival pays tribute to Ryujin, god of the Tenryu River, and commemorates the 1956 opening of Sakuma Dam, a great engineering feat of its time. Highlights include a colorful dragon god dance, taiko drumming, fireworks over the lake, and many vendors displaying local products.
Last Sun of OctoberFree
Do
Hamamatsu Racetrack
浜松オートレース場, Hamamatsu Ootoresuba
National auto and motorcycle racing events.
¥100
Do
Yu Fukei Shiori
湯風景しおり
A nice bathhouse not so far from the city center.
Do Not mapped
Shoryu Weeping Plum Blossom Festival
昇竜しだれ梅まつり, Shoryuu Shidare-ume Matsuri
Trees are pruned to look like dragons on clouds in the sky.
Late February to late March¥500

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Hamamatsu (CC BY-SA 4.0).