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.

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.

This section of the cycling road has benches where you can take a break, making it a popular resting spot for cyclists.

There are also places where you can get down to the lakeshore, giving you the chance to take photos like this.

Be sure to stop and snap a few pictures!

 

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

[12:15]

Hamanako Sakume Station is a charming lakeside station with a nostalgic station building. Inside the station, you’ll also find Katorea, a traditional café serving light meals.

Wanting to take a break and enjoy something sweet, we headed to Suginoya, located just across the street from Hamanako Sakume Station.

Suginoya official website: https://mikkabisuginoya.jimdofree.com/

After enjoying a delicious bowl of matcha shiratama zenzai, we were ready to head to our next destination!

 

Our next stop was Grannys BURGER, located inside Mikkabi Station!

I actually worked at Grannys BURGER for a few days during my third year of university.

One of the friends I worked with back then was also joining this Hamaichi ride, so this stop was something I had been looking forward to.

Before we knew it, about 30 minutes of cycling had flown by, and we had arrived!

[13:30]

As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by familiar faces. It brought back a lot of memories, and we spent some time catching up.

The signature menu item at Grannys BURGER is the Mikkabi Beef Burger!

Mikkabi Beef is raised in the warm climate and rich natural surroundings of Okuhamanako.

It is a locally loved brand of beef raised in Mikkabi, Hamamatsu City.

The Mikkabi Beef Burger was juicy, hearty, and incredibly satisfying. We finished it in no time!

The restaurant also offers a wide variety of other burgers, so be sure to stop by if you have the chance.

With our appetites satisfied, we set off from Mikkabi Station.

The route from Mikkabi to Kosai City is relatively gentle, making for a relaxing ride while enjoying views of Lake Inohana.

 

What Is Lake Inohana?

Lake Inohana is one of the branch lakes of Lake Hamana.

Located in the northwestern part of Lake Hamana, the lake has a circumference of approximately 12 km, and its shoreline lies entirely within Mikkabi.

On Lake Inohana stands Inohanako Shrine.

The shrine is located at the waterway connecting Lake Hamana and Lake Inohana, and is built on a massive rock that juts out over the water, giving it the appearance of floating on the lake.

Here’s what Inohanako Shrine looks like!

With its peaceful and sacred atmosphere, it’s well worth a visit.

 

After passing through the tunnel, you’ll arrive in Kosai City.

[15:00]

This area is home to several stylish cafés, including r cafe and Minna no Cafe.

We didn’t have time to stop by on this trip, but it’s a great place to take a break while enjoying the views of Lake Hamana.

Continue along Route 301. Then, head east from Chibata Station on the Tenryu Hamanako Railroad, a local railway serving the Lake Hamana region.

The Tenryu Hamanako Railroad runs from Shinjohara Station to Kakegawa Station. Its trains are mostly single-car, driver-only trains with a charming appearance.

 

The Tenryu Hamanako Railroad also offers plenty of great photo opportunities, making it the perfect place to capture pictures of its charming trains.

Continue along the country roads toward Washizu Station.

Along the way, we made our final stop at BONZO COFFEE, a café serving delicious coffee and waffles.

I enjoyed an almond caramel waffle with a cup of coffee before setting off again.

A light rain started to fall from this point, so we hurried back to Imagire Taiken no Sato Kaikokan!

As we continued riding through the drizzle, the rain gradually began to stop. By the time we arrived at Imagire Taiken no Sato Kaikokan, the skies had cleared and sunlight was starting to appear.

We arrived at 16:30, completing a cycling journey of approximately seven hours.

For the final photo, we took a picture with Lake Hamana in the background together with the friend who joined me on this Hamaichi ride.

Although we were tired, there were many restaurants, cafés, and photo-worthy spots along the way. With so many different route options, every ride brings new discoveries!

 

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This time, I introduced my recommended Hamaichi course.

As someone who loves food, my version of Hamaichi is not just about cycling.

I hope you will enjoy the local cuisine around Lake Hamana while riding the route!

Why not stop by and experience Hamaichi for yourself?

 

*The information in this article is subject to change.