10 Best Hotels for Experiencing Hamamatsu's Charms - Hot Springs, Scenic Views, and Gourmet Delights Await!

*This article was sponsored by Hamamatsu City.

About Hamamatsu

Located along the coast of Shizuoka Prefecture, Hamamatsu City is full of places worth a visit, including Lake Hamana, one of Japan's largest saltwater lakes; the Nakatajima Sand Dunes, known for its beautiful sand patterns; and Hamamatsu Castle, a reconstructed castle from the 16th century. As a piano and motorcycle production hub, the city is home to world-renowned companies such as Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Kawai. With such companies making Hamamatsu their base, it's no wonder that the city is also called the "city of music" and the "city of craftsmanship." Situated halfway between Tokyo and Osaka, it's easily accessible via the "shinkansen" bullet train, taking just 1.5 hours whether you choose to visit from Tokyo Station or Shin-Osaka Station.

10 Hotels in Hamamatsu for Hot Springs, Incredible Views, and Gourmet Dining

1. [Hot Springs] Tokiwasure Kaikatei

Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Hamana, the hot spring town of Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen is the central hub of tourism in Hamamatsu, with many ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) lining its streets. It faces the incredibly scenic Uchiura Bay, and, of course, Lake Hamana itself. Tokiwasure Kaikatei is a ryokan that stands on the shore of Uchiura Bay. In addition to the beautiful surrounding nature, this ryokan offers seven different baths for guests.

Included in their list of baths to rejuvenate the body are the Rainbow Bath, where the water is turned seven different colors thanks to underwater lighting; the Bubble Bath (Jacuzzi) where gentle bubbles will relax your body; a cold water hinoki cypress bath; and even a sauna. There's even an open-air rock bath arranged in a Japanese garden style where you can feel the pleasant breeze on your skin.

For those who want to fully enjoy an intimate bath without being disturbed, we recommend staying in one of their rooms with a private open-air bath. It's the perfect private opportunity to fully take in the hot springs and the lake view! For dinner, indulge in beautifully laid out specialties such as freshly cooked kettle rice with eel and various seasonal dishes to satisfy both your stomach and spirit.

2. [Hot Springs] Kanzanji Sago Royal Hotel

Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen extends east to west along the southern shore of Uchiura Bay. At the furthest western point of this stretch stands Kanzanji Sago Royal Hotel. Thanks to its excellent location facing Lake Hamana, all rooms offer a lake view. In addition to its traditional Japanese-style rooms typical of hot spring inns, there are also Japanese-Western fusion rooms and designer Japanese-style rooms that combine the comfort of tatami mats with the ease of beds, allowing you to enjoy this hot spring town in whatever way you prefer.

Enjoy the best hot spring experience that this hotel has to offer at the large panoramic public bath on the top floor, with a grand view of the magnificent Lake Hamana. The rooftop also has an open-air bath (men and ladies enter at different hours) where you can get an outdoor view of the same lake 40 meters above ground. The seemingly endless, ever-changing sky and lake will soothe both your body and soul.

The hotel also offers private hot spring baths (only with reservation and at an additional cost), limited to five groups per day. These private spaces are popular among couples and families with children. They're also accessible, so even the elderly can use them with ease.

3. [Hot Springs] Hamanako Kanzanjionsen Hotel Kikusuitei

Hamanako Kanzanjionsen Hotel Kikusuitei is a lakeside inn overlooking Lake Hamana and Mount Okusa. It is known for its open-air baths with a superb view of the calm Uchiura Bay, an inlet of Lake Hamana. These baths, which switch which gender can use them depending on the day, come in two different varieties. But both are perfect for a soak while taking in the pleasant breeze coming from the lake.

They also have a private open-air bath, Komorebi no Yu, located in a garden that changes with the seasons. It can be reserved for up to 50 minutes at a time (reservation required and at an additional cost). Enjoy relaxing in the hot water without worrying about your surroundings with this bath!

All their rooms offer a lake view and come in five different styles, ranging from suites with a Western-style living room and Japanese-style bedroom to affordable traditional Japanese-style rooms. For dinner, enjoy filling meals featuring local ingredients in the large banquet hall or your room.

4. [Hot Springs] Sansuikan Kinryu

Sansuikan Kinryu is one of the longest-standing inns in Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen, having gotten its start in 1919 as a ryotei (high-class traditional Japanese restaurant). In addition to providing top-quality cuisine befitting a ryotei, it welcomes visitors with beautiful views of Uchiura Bay and relaxing hot spring baths.

The large and steamy communal bath is made entirely of hinoki cypress, making it give off a fragrant scent and warmth. In the open-air bath area, there are rock baths with gradually changing temperatures and ceramic baths, where you can relax and heal your travel fatigue. If available at check-in, you can also experience the private open-air baths free of charge, where a unique view of Lake Hamana awaits.

All the rooms, from standard Japanese-style rooms to superior twin rooms with beds, offer a panoramic view of Lake Hamana. For those who want to experience the ultimate luxury, we recommend booking one of the two suite rooms on the top floor. Depending on your taste, choose from the "Subaru" Japanese-Western room combining Japanese elegance with Western functionality or the "Hokuto" with two Japanese-style rooms and a cypress bath.

5. [Gorgeous Views] Grand Mercure Hamanako Resort & Spa

Set to reopen in April 2024, Grand Mercure Hamanako Resort & Spa offers a tranquil retreat amidst the stunning natural beauty of Hamamatsu. If you're looking for a hotel where you can gaze at the serene scenery of Lake Hamana and the Enshu Sea, soak in hot springs, and stuff yourself with delicious cuisine, this is the perfect place to stay.

The outdoor baths, supplied from a hot spring water source 500 meters underground, will make you feel like you're in a tropical resort. Ultimate relaxation is within your fingertips as you soak in the hot water while watching the sunset over the lake or the starry sky. After bathing, take a break at the lounge where you'll find a supply of free refreshing drinks laid out.

You can choose between ocean-side and lakeside views among the many types of rooms available to achieve the best relaxing experience. For breakfast and dinner, the hotel offers a variety of dishes prepared from local ingredients in buffet style.

6. [Gorgeous Views] Hamanako Resort & Spa The Ocean

Located just a minute's walk from JR Bentenjima Station, Hamanako Resort & Spa The Ocean stands in an excellent location, surrounded by Lake Hamana and the Pacific Ocean. Despite being surrounded by Hamamatsu's beautiful nature, it's easily accessible by train.

From the hotel, guests can marvel at the stunning vista of Lake Hamana and the iconic red torii (shrine) gate set against the backdrop of the tidal flats. Moreover, visitors can also see the vista beyond the point where Lake Hamana and the Pacific Ocean converge, which is a sight that can't be seen anywhere else.

With a focus on locally sourced ingredients, dinner offers dishes such as eel, shirasu (whitebait), and torafugu (pufferfish), thoughtfully made and served buffet style by skilled chefs.

7. [Gorgeous Views] Hamanako Lake Side Plaza

Just a 5-minute walk from Tenryu Hamanako Railway's Okuhamanako Station, the resort hotel Hamanako Lake Side Plaza occupies a vast 50,000 square meters of land. From the guest rooms, you can enjoy the idyllic scenery of the Oku-Hamana area, admiring how it changes depending on the time of the day: the shimmering brilliance of Lake Hamana under the dazzling sunlight, the melancholic atmosphere of dusk, and the tranquility brought about by the darkness at night.

The hot spring water in their large communal bath and open-air bath is said to beautify the skin. The hotel has a variety of baths on offer, including one where you can fully lie down in the hot spring water and a jacuzzi-style one that's just deep enough to let you walk around.

One of the highlights of this resort is the dinner options, which range from kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese multicourse meal) to barbecue to match everyone's taste. Their luxurious buffet restaurant features original Japanese and Western dishes as well as an open kitchen where you can see the chefs prepare tempura and sushi right in front of you.

8. [Gorgeous Views] Okura Act City Hotel Hamamatsu

Okura Act City Hotel Hamamatsu is a 45-story high-rise hotel directly connected to JR Hamamatsu Station. It welcomes visitors with the utmost hospitality, adhering to the Okura Hotels & Resorts philosophy of providing refined service to satisfy guests from all around the world.

The 322 rooms at the hotel come in a wide variety, from the usual single, twin, and double to the premium Imperial Suites. The Symphony Suite Room is a playful room with a grand piano that truly represents Hamamatsu, known as the "city of music."

All the rooms feature a sophisticated and traditional European-style design, but with modern functionality. From the rooms on the north side, you can enjoy views of Mount Fuji and the Southern Alps on clear sunny days, while rooms on the south side offer views of the Enshu Sea. The upper floors are perfect for a romantic time savoring gourmet cuisine while overlooking the sparkling night view below.

9. [Gorgeous Views] Hotel Concorde Hamamatsu

Hotel Concorde Hamamatsu is in a premium location, just a 10-minute walk from downtown Hamamatsu and right next to Hamamatsu Castle in Hamamatsu Castle Park. Apart from the attractive location, it offers heartfelt hospitality and attentive service, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests.

Among the nine available room types, the most popular are the south-facing rooms with a view of the iconic Hamamatsu Castle's main castle tower. From the upper floors, you can appreciate views of the Enshu Sea, and the north-facing rooms have a view of the Southern Alps.

The restaurant on the topmost 18th floor offers a panoramic view of Hamamatsu City at night and the opportunity to savor the local specialty, unagi eel. They specifically procure thick unagi with plenty of fat and grill them to perfection. In the morning, recharge your energy with a breakfast buffet featuring both Japanese and Western classics, as well as local delicacies such as shirasu from the Enshu Sea and Hamamatsu's famous gyoza dumplings, before heading out for sightseeing.

10. [Gourmet Cuisine] Hotel Wellseason Hamanako

Hotel Wellseason Hamanako is a resort hotel located in Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen. Here, you can enjoy a kaiseki meal using local ingredients taken from the rich land, sea, mountains, rivers, and lakes of Hamamatsu. Among them, the most highly recommended course is the Aji Hyakkei - Kaoru, which offers the finest dishes using the most luxurious ingredients. In addition to Lake Hamana's specialty, unagi eel, you can enjoy seasonal flavors such as torafugu and kinmedai (splendid alfonsino), all caught in local waters and beautifully presented on the table. It's a seasonal feast for the eyes!

In addition to the outdoor baths that are exclusively for hotel guests, the adjacent hot spring facility "Hanasaki no Yu" offers ten different baths, including a cypress bath overlooking a Japanese garden and a rock bath made with natural stone.

Since it is directly connected to Hamanako Palpal, an amusement park on the shores of Lake Hamana, it is the perfect place to stay if you're traveling with small children. The hotel is equipped with dedicated baby and kids’ spaces, nursing rooms, and diaper changing tables.

Stay a Night or Two at Hamamatsu!

This time, we have selected 10 hotels in Hamamatsu that offer relaxing hot springs, spectacular views, and gourmet food. All of them would make amazing lodgings, so pick one that suits your travel plans and have a wonderful time exploring the city!