“Hamaiichi” refers to cycling around the entire Lake Hamana—about 50 to 60 km—while enjoying the scenery and local towns of Kosai and Hamamatsu. Here’s a look at our recent ride and some recommended routes…

What is Hamaichi? ?

This article was created on November 30, 2023.

Hamaichi is a route that takes you all the way around Lake Hamana, covering approximately 50–60 km through Kosai City and Hamamatsu City. Along the way, you can enjoy views of the lake and the surrounding townscape.

The starting point for this ride is Imagire Taiken no Sato Kaikokan in Kosai City.

Here, you can rent a variety of bicycles, including mountain bikes and e-bikes, with sizes available for both adults and children.

Yūrin Rental Bicycles (Kaikokan Terminal): https://hamanako-kosai.jp/location/719/

Put on Your Helmet and Start Hamaichi!

[9:30 Start]

Head east from the Arai Benten Entrance intersection. As you continue riding, you will reach Nishihamanabashi Bridge.

Along this route, you can enjoy views of Lake Hamana, and depending on the time of day, you may even see the Shinkansen passing by close to you!

If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the yellow Shinkansen known as the “Doctor Yellow”!

Turn left at the Shin-Benten intersection and pass under the JR railway tracks. On your right, you will see a wide waterway.

From this area, you will cross from Kosai City into Hamamatsu City.

This waterway was once used as a certain place in the past. Do you know what it was used for?

In fact, this area was once used as the Hamana Lake Boat Race Course!

The boat race course has since moved to Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai City, and Boat Race Hamana Lake celebrated its 70th anniversary.

On weekends and holidays, various events are held, making it a popular local spot where everyone from young children to adults can enjoy their time.

Continue north to Nakanoshima Ohashi Bridge!

From Nakanoshima Ohashi Bridge, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Hamana stretching out on both sides as you cross the lake. Please be careful when riding, as the wind can be strong on the bridge.

The bridge also offers a view of one of Lake Hamana’s winter traditions: the Lake Hamana seaweed farms.

If you are cycling Hamaichi during winter, from November to April, be sure to look out for them!

After Enjoying the Views of Lake Hamana, It's Time for the Mountain Roads

Taking a short break along the way, we headed to our first destination, Bay Garden Kanzanji.

Normally, the route follows the Lake Hamana Cycling Road with Lake Hamana on your left. Unfortunately, the cycling road was closed due to construction during our visit.

Instead, we took a detour along a prefectural road. As we got closer to Kanzanji, the route led us through the mountains.

By this point, we had already cycled about 10 km, so although the mountain roads are usually a little chilly at this time of year, we were pleasantly warmed up and the ride felt incredibly refreshing.

Cycling through nature, surrounded by trees, was an amazing feeling!

After making our way through the mountain roads, we arrived at our first destination, Bay Garden.

Bay Garden is a scenic street located in the Kanzanji Onsen area, one of the Lake Hamana region’s hot spring resorts.

From here, you can enjoy views of Hamanako Palpal, Hamamatsu Zoo, and the Kanzanji Ropeway crossing over Lake Hamana.

The Kanzanji Ropeway is the only ropeway in Japan that travels over a lake.

For a relaxing break, why not take a ride on the ropeway and visit the Lake Hamana Music Box Museum at the summit?

After enjoying the streets of Kanzanji Onsen, continue north past the entrance to Hamamatsu Zoo.

From here, the route takes you onto a mountain road with steep climbs and descents!

“I wish I had rented an e-bike…” That was all I could think as I pedaled my mountain bike with all my strength.

* We also recommend renting an e-bike!

After making it through the challenging mountain road, the route joins the Lake Hamana Cycling Road near Hamamatsu Municipal Ime Elementary School.

The bike path here has benches where you can take a break along the way, making it a great place for cyclists to relax!

There are also places along the way where you can get off to Lake Hamana, where you can take photos like this.

Please feel free to take photos!

After a pleasant ride through the town of Kiga, we arrived at our next resting stop, Hamanako Sakume Station.

[12:15]

“Hamanako Sakume Station” is a station on the shore of Lake Hamana, with a very cute retro station building and an old-fashioned snack cafe called “Cattleya.”

I wanted to eat something sweet here and take a break, so I went to Suginoya, which is located across from Hamanako Sakume Station.

At Suginoya, a relaxing space, in addition to operating a cafe, you can also use the campsite and barbecue area.

It is also possible to rent a complete set of tools, so even beginners can enjoy it.

“Suginoya” official website – Information on “Mikkabi Camp Suginoya”

(https://mikkabisuginoya.jimdofree.com/)

Enjoy some delicious matcha shiratama zenzai before heading to your next destination!

Next destination is “Granny’s Burger” inside Mikkahimachi Station!

Actually, I had the experience of working part-time for a few days at Granny’s Burger during my third year of university.

My friend who worked part-time with me at the time was also participating in Hamaichi, so it was a lot of fun!

While thinking about this, I pedaled for about 30 minutes and before I knew it, I had arrived.

[13:30]

When I entered the store, I saw some familiar faces, and as I remembered those days, I had a lot of fun talking with them.

The most popular choice among Granny’s Burgers is the Mikkabi Beef Burger!

Mikkabi beef is raised freely in the warm climate and rich nature of Lake Okuhamana.

Mikkabi Beef is a Mikkabi-cho brand beef that is loved by the area that was raised in Mikkabi-cho, Hamamatsu City!

A hearty and juicy Mikkabi beef burger. Completed the meal in no time.

In addition, there are many types of hamburgers! Why not come and visit us? ?

With our stomachs full, we departed from Mikkahimachi Station!

The road from Mikkahimachi Station to Kosai City is a relatively gentle road.

Cycling while looking at Lake Inohana.

What is Lake Inohana?

One of the branch lakes of Lake Hamana.

It is located to the northwest of Lake Hamana, and Mikkabi-cho occupies the entire 12 km circumference.

There is a temple called Inohanako Shrine at Lake Inohana.

Inohanako Shrine is located on the aqueduct that connects Lake Hamana and Lake Inohana, and is enshrined on a huge rock that juts out above the lake.

Inohanako Shrine is like this!

Be sure to stop by this shrine with its sacred atmosphere.

Now, after passing through the tunnel, you will enter Kosai City.

[15:00]

This street is home to many stylish cafes such as “r cafe” and “Minna no cafe”!

I wasn’t able to stop by this time, but it would be nice to take a break while looking at Lake Hamana!

Proceed along Route 301 and head east at Chibada Station, which is on the Tenryu Hamanako Railway, a local train in the Hamanako area.

The Tenhama Line runs from Shinjohara Station to Kakegawa Station, and the train cars are basically one-man trains, which are very cute.

One-man train arriving at “Hamanako Sakume Station”

You can take wonderful photos of the one-man train of “Tenryu Hamanako Railway”!

Proceed along the rice field road and head towards Washizu Station.

On the way, we took a final break at “BONZO COFFEE”. A shop that offers coffee and delicious waffles ◎

I had an almond caramel waffle and coffee!

It started to rain lightly from here, so I dashed to “Imakiri Experience Village Kaikokan”!

As I continued running in the light rain, it gradually started to stop, and by the time I arrived at “Imakiri Experience Village Kaikokan”, I could see clear skies◎

Arrival time is 16:30. About 7 hours of cycling.

At the end, I took a photo of my friend who ran Hamaichi with me, with Lake Hamana in the background.

Although it is tiring, there are many restaurants and photogenic spots along the way, and there are many routes, so new discoveries are made every time!

Please let us know your recommended courses◎

This time, I would like to introduce my recommended courses.

As someone who eats a lot of food, I would like to introduce you to Hamaichi.

We want you to not only run, but also enjoy the gourmet food of Lake Hamana!

Why not stop by and experience Hamaichi? ?

*The information in this article is subject to change.