Hamamatsu One Day Course Lake Hamana and Kanzanji Onsen

Lake Hamana is a waterside resort you can enjoy all day, with sightseeing boats, a ropeway, hot springs and food. Take in a three hundred sixty degree view from the Kanzanji Ropeway, the only ropeway in Japan that crosses over a lake, and savor the local eel at Kanzanji Onsen in this indulgent course of play, food and relaxation.

Course Route

9:30 Start at JR Hamamatsu Station Board a bus for Kanzanji Onsen from the terminal at the station north exit. The ride is about 45 minutes and the fare is around 660 yen.

10:30 Arrive in the Kanzanji Onsen area A hot spring resort along the shore of Lake Hamana. Enjoy the scenery while walking the lakeside path.

11:00 Kanzanji Ropeway From the station next to the Hamanako Pal Pal amusement park, cross over the lake to the summit of Mount Okusa. The aerial ride of about 720 meters takes roughly four minutes and leads to an observation deck with a full view of the lake. The round trip fare is about 1300 yen for junior high age and up, and 650 yen for children.

11:40 Hamanako Music Box Museum A museum of sound on the summit of Mount Okusa. Rest while listening to antique music boxes play, a nice pairing with the ropeway observation deck.

12:30 Lunch with the famous eel Lake Hamana is one of the birthplaces of eel farming. Enjoy a fragrant, fluffy grilled eel rice box. Popular shops fill up at midday, so shifting your timing helps.

14:00 Cruise Lake Hamana Take a sightseeing boat around the lake or enjoy seasonal flowers at the lakeside flower park.

15:30 Buy Hamamatsu gyoza and eel pie as souvenirs Stock up on local food and gifts unique to Hamamatsu.

17:00 Return to Hamamatsu Station to finish

Highlights

The Kanzanji Ropeway is a rare line crossing over a lake, and on clear winter days Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. Kanzanji Onsen water contains salt that warms the body, and the sunset over the lake is romantic. From the deck you can see across to the inner lake and the Enshu coast.

Access and Tips

It is about 45 minutes by bus from Hamamatsu Station (around 660 yen), or about 15 minutes by car from the Hamamatsu Nishi interchange. The area can be covered on foot, but a bus or car is handy for slightly distant spots like the flower park. Weekends get busy, so start early.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: Including the round trip from Hamamatsu Station, allow a full day (6 to 8 hours). Within the Kanzanji area, combining the ropeway, a cruise and a meal fills about half a day.
• Budget sense: The base is the ropeway round trip at 1300 yen (junior high and up), plus a boat cruise and an eel rice box. Adding the round trip bus fare makes planning easy.
• Best season and time: The chance of seeing Mount Fuji is highest on clear winter mornings. To catch the sunset over the lake, keep the late afternoon free.
• Avoiding crowds: On weekends and holidays the popular eel shops and the ropeway get busy, so aim for a meal right at opening. Checking bus frequency in advance also helps.
• Nearby spots: With extra time, the Hamanako Garden Park, an eel pie factory tour, and lakeside cycling all pair well.

A Quick Tip

The lakeside can be windy, so bring an extra layer. Popular eel restaurants fill up at midday, so arriving right at opening is smoother. Allow plenty of time for the ropeway and bus connections.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Kanzanji Ropeway (operating hours): Set by a monthly operating calendar, basically 9:30 to 18:00, extended to 9:00 to 19:00 during busy periods such as Obon, with some days at the end of the month finishing at 17:30. There is no car park on the summit side (Mt. Okusa)
• Hamanako Orgel (Music Box) Museum (admission): Museum admission only costs 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children (age 3 to elementary school). A combination ticket with a return ropeway ride costs 1,700 yen for adults and 850 yen for children
• Hamanako Orgel Museum (closures): The museum closes on days when the ropeway is suspended due to bad weather or inspections
• Hamamatsu Flower Park (opening hours and closing days): 9:00 to 17:00 from March to September, 9:00 to 16:30 in October and November, and 10:00 to 16:30 from December to February (last entry 30 minutes before closing). There are no regular closing days; the park closes only from December 29 to 31 for facility inspections
• Hamamatsu Flower Park (admission): Admission varies with how much is in bloom: free of charge in July and August, 500 yen for adults with elementary and junior high school students free from September to January, and 600 to 1,200 yen for adults and 300 to 600 yen for elementary and junior high school students from February to June. An annual passport costs 2,800 yen for adults
• Lake Hamana sightseeing boat (Kanzanji Port): The 30-minute cruise departing from Kanzanji Port costs 1,600 yen for adults (junior high school age and above) and 800 yen for children (elementary school age). The standard timetable has six sailings, at 9:30, 10:40, 11:40, 13:40, 14:40 and 15:50
• Inquiries: 053-487-2121 (Kanzanji Ropeway / Hamanako Orgel Museum), 053-487-0511 (Hamamatsu Flower Park), 053-487-0228 (Lake Hamana sightseeing boat, Kanzanji Port)
• Official information: Kanzanji Ropeway official website, Hamanako Orgel Museum official website, Hamamatsu Flower Park official website, Lake Hamana sightseeing boat official website

Note: The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local government. Hours and prices may change, so please check official sources before you set out.