{"id":101208,"date":"2024-03-12T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=101208"},"modified":"2024-05-02T13:04:01","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T04:04:01","slug":"hamamatsu-hidden-gem-all-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/hamamatsu-hidden-gem-all-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"A Hamamatsu For All Seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I first visited Hamamatsu in the Spring of 2021. Before that, my only knowledge of the city was a blur on the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto or glimpses of the ocean and the red torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Hamana near Bentenjima. When I finally got an opportunity to disembark at Hamamatsu Station rather than passing through, I quickly realized what a hidden gem I had been missing all those times before.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Since my maiden trip to Hamamatsu, I have returned to the city so many times that I have lost count. I’ve visited Hamamatsu in every season to see its changing faces throughout the year, from the mountains to the sea. I’ve visited age-old breweries to make soy sauce and sake. I’ve eaten its famous grilled eel and grilled burgers. I’ve ridden peaceful lakeside cycling paths on sunny days and driven mountain roads in the pitch darkness of night. And by now, I’ve earned the right to say what an extraordinary city Hamamatsu is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The first thing I realized about Hamamatsu City is how vast it is, stretching from the shores of the Pacific Ocean far into the mountains bordering neighboring Nagano Prefecture. The city includes Lake Hamana, one of Japan’s largest lakes, and a destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy cycling and water sports. Its coastline includes the Nakatajima Sand Dunes, a place of stunning natural beauty, especially at sunrise. And its mountains contain endless surprises: ancient shrines and temples, former castle ruins, and pristine forested canyons and gorges for trekkers and nature lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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