In this article, we’ll take a closer look at EXPASA Hamanako, located in Mikkabi, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu, where facilities for both directions are combined in one place.

This article was created on September 18, 2026.

When you’re on a road trip, taking a break at a highway service area is part of the fun.

Hamamatsu is home to three service areas, each with its own character:

EXPASA Hamanako (serves both directions)
NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Tokyo-bound)
NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Nagoya-bound)

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at EXPASA Hamanako, located in Mikkabi, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu, where facilities for both directions are combined in one place.

We’ve put together a photo guide to the food, souvenirs, and sights you’ll find here, so be sure to use it when planning your trip!

What Is EXPASA Hamanako?

EXPASA Hamanako is a service area on the Tomei Expressway, located in Mikkabi, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. It’s a large facility that serves traffic in both directions, and one of its biggest draws is the sweeping view of beautiful Lake Hamana.

First, let’s take a look at what makes EXPASA Hamanako special!

Opened September 18, 2026: ONE SENA

One of the most exciting highlights at EXPASA Hamanako is ONE SENA, a new leisure complex that opened on September 18, 2026!

ONE SENA features a 3D maze, a pet supply store with its own dog run, an indoor café where you can relax while taking in the stunning views of Lake Hamana, and more. It’s a great place to unwind and enjoy some sightseeing and activities during your drive.

The 3D maze, Hamanako Maze, is a one-of-a-kind athletic maze built from construction scaffolding!

It’s an activity that kids and adults can both enjoy, and a great spot to get moving and refresh your body after a long drive.

The hedge maze is dotted with art pieces inspired by Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana, making it a fun and quirky photo spot, too.

At The Gate, a pet supply store with an attached dog run, you’ll find all kinds of goodies for dogs and their owners.

You can also create your own original acrylic card, available only here, which makes a special souvenir.

The dog run is finished with a coating made from natural cork, which has a heat-shielding effect that keeps the ground from getting too hot, so it stays comfortable even in summer.

On the lakeshore, you’ll find a Starbucks where you can kick back and enjoy the beautiful lake views.

On the terrace side of the Starbucks stands the “Bell of Love,” a popular spot for couples!

Motorcycle fans won’t want to miss Hamanako Moto Studio, a shop packed with motorcycle gear.

When you stop by EXPASA Hamanako, start with a visit to ONE SENA. Kids, adults, and even your dog can all take a break and enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Hamana together!

Enjoy a Cruise on the Lake!

EXPASA Hamanako offers something rarely found anywhere in Japan: sightseeing boat cruises that depart right from the service area.

These cruises are a popular way to enjoy views of Lake Hamana that you can only see from the water!

The “Umi no Mizuumi” Chaka Meguri cruise takes about 20 minutes, departing from EXPASA Hamanako and leisurely circling the Kanzanji and Uchiura Bay areas.

On board, a local fisherman guides you through the nature and culture of Lake Hamana, so it’s not just a sightseeing trip but a chance to learn something new, too.

Why not unwind with the breeze sweeping across the lake and the calm water stretching out around you, and enjoy a moment you can only experience at Lake Hamana?

What’s more, your dog can come aboard too! This may well be the only service area in Japan where you can enjoy a lake cruise with your dog!

“Umi no Mizuumi” Chaka Meguri

Image courtesy of Central Nippon Exis Co., Ltd.

Fares:
Adults (junior high school students and older): ¥1,200
Children (age 4 through elementary school): ¥600
*Free for children age 3 and under
*Pets: ¥300 per pet

Operating Days:
Spring: Weekends and national holidays from Saturday, April 25 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
*Daily operation during Golden Week (May 2–6)
Summer–Fall: Weekends and national holidays from Saturday, July 18 to Monday, November 23 (national holiday), 2026
*Daily operation during Obon (August 13–16)

Hours:
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Departures approximately every 30 minutes
*Cruises are canceled in bad weather

*Information as of September 18, 2026. Please check the latest details before your visit.

Perfect for Families with Little Ones!

EXPASA Hamanako has a Kids’ Corner where young children can play safely and comfortably.

It’s located inside the Lakeview Food Hall, and the floor is covered with soft, cushy padding, so even little ones can relax and have fun.

The Shopping Hall also has a baby care room equipped with a lockable nursing room and diaper changing tables.

The easy-to-use facilities are designed with families traveling with babies in mind.

Accessible from Local Roads, Too!

EXPASA Hamanako has a “Plat Park,” an area you can enter from local roads, so locals and travelers who aren’t on the expressway can easily drop by.

Plat Park has a parking lot for cars as well as bicycle racks for road bikes.

It’s also a popular stop for cyclists riding “Hamaichi,” the cycling route around Lake Hamana.

Where to Eat at EXPASA Hamanako

Tasting local specialties at a service area is one of the best parts of any trip. EXPASA Hamanako has four unique places to eat:

– Lakeview Food Hall (Food Court & Restaurant)
– Lakeview Food Hall (Takeout)
– Gyoza & Ramen Hall
– Café Hall

Let’s take a closer look at each one!

Lakeview Food Hall

First up is the Lakeview Food Hall, the main dining spot at EXPASA Hamanako.

The hall is spacious, and its large front windows offer stunning views of Lake Hamana. Enjoying a meal with a view like this is a true travel treat.

The food court offers a wide variety of dishes, including udon and soba noodles, rice bowls, set meals, seafood rice bowls, eel, and curry. With so many options, you might have a hard time deciding what to eat!

At the entrance of the Food Hall, you’ll also find Hamanatei, a restaurant serving authentic dishes made with eel from Lake Hamana.

The menu includes unaju, una-cha, and shirayaki, a dish that lets you savor the natural flavor of Lake Hamana eel. In the calm, relaxing dining room, you can take your time and enjoy your meal.

Try the Takeout, Too

Just outside the Lakeview Food Hall, you’ll find two takeout-only shops:

– Takeout Corner
– 浜鰻 (eel specialty shop)

At the Takeout Corner, you can enjoy sweets made with unagi imo, a local specialty of Hamamatsu.

Unagi imo is a brand of Hamamatsu-grown sweet potato cultivated using fertilizer made from eel bones, heads, and other scraps that would normally be thrown away.

These nutrient-rich eel scraps are said to contain plenty of the nutrients sweet potatoes need to grow.

My top pick is the Unagi Imo Matcha Mont Blanc Soft Serve!

This rich treat is a soft serve ice cream topped with a generous swirl of matcha Mont Blanc cream, made with Hamamatsu matcha powder and unagi imo paste.

The rich, velvety unagi imo matcha Mont Blanc and the cool, sweet soft serve come together in perfect harmony.

Another favorite is the Cup Unagi Meshi from the eel specialty shop 浜鰻. It’s an unadon-style takeout dish made with a quarter of a Japanese-raised eel.

The eel is grilled to order, so it’s plump and juicy. Paired with rice soaked in savory sauce, it’s quick and easy but seriously satisfying.

On a sunny day, why not grab a Cup Unagi Meshi and enjoy it on the terrace while taking in views of Lake Hamana?

The Cup Unagi Meshi fits nicely in most car cup holders, making it the perfect road trip companion.

The terrace seating next to the Lakeview Food Hall is dog-friendly, so you can relax and enjoy a meal with your dog at this prime spot overlooking Lake Hamana.

On the day we visited, we even spotted guests relaxing on the terrace with their dogs.

Gyoza & Ramen Hall

Located right next to the Lakeview Food Hall, the Gyoza & Ramen Hall is home to two popular restaurants:

– Ramen Hamanako Sodachi
– Hamamatsu Gyoza Hamataro

At Ramen Hamanako Sodachi, you can enjoy authentic flavors like the manager’s top recommendation, Sakura Shrimp Ramen, made with a broth infused with shrimp extract, as well as Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen and Ago Dashi Ramen, both made with carefully selected noodles.

Hamataro is a renowned gyoza restaurant that has won numerous awards in Hamamatsu. Along with its Hamamatsu-style gyoza, its fried rice combos and set meals are also popular.

Next to the entrance of the Gyoza & Ramen Hall, there’s also a Hamataro takeout counter, where you can buy freshly cooked gyoza.

Café Hall

The Café Hall is the perfect place to take a break, with two shops to choose from:

– Baskin-Robbins (31 Ice Cream)
– Starbucks Coffee

It’s great to be able to stop by between drives and unwind with your favorite coffee or ice cream.

2 Must-Buy Souvenirs at EXPASA Hamanako

If you’re looking for souvenirs at EXPASA Hamanako, head to the Shopping Hall.

The Lakeview Food Hall also has a souvenir corner, stocked with items that are perfect for bringing home memories of your trip.

Souvenir shop in the Shopping Hall

Souvenir corner in the Lakeview Food Hall

You’ll find the classic Hamamatsu souvenirs, like Unagi Pie, but this time, our editorial team has handpicked two favorites to share with you.

Only at EXPASA Hamanako! Mikkabi Mikan Korokoro Rusk

Mikkabi Mikan Korokoro Rusk is a limited-edition treat you can only buy at EXPASA Hamanako. These bite-sized rusks are made with purée from Mikkabi mikan, a local specialty mandarin orange.

What makes this Mikkabi mikan purée special is that it’s made from the whole fruit, peel and all, not just the juice. That means you can enjoy the sweetness and tartness of mikan, along with a subtle hint of bitterness.

The cute mikan-themed packaging is another highlight, making these a great choice for small gifts or for sharing with friends and coworkers. They’re also reasonably priced, so they’re easy to pick up on a whim.

Unagi Imo Sweet Potato Cake

Next up is the Unagi Imo Sweet Potato Cake, a moist, rich sweet potato treat made with unagi imo, Hamamatsu’s own brand of sweet potato.

Each box contains six individually wrapped cakes, making them easy to hand out and perfect as gifts for coworkers or neighbors. The adorable packaging features Unamo-chan, the unagi imo mascot character, and is sure to catch your eye.

It’s a friendly, approachable souvenir with a true taste of Hamamatsu.

*Please check your country’s import rules before buying items to take home.

How Crowded Is EXPASA Hamanako?

We visited around midday on a weekday in July. With its spacious parking lot and plenty of seating in the food court, we were able to take our time and relax.

On weekends, holidays, and during Obon (mid-August), it gets busy with lots of visitors. Be sure to check the Drivers’ Site before you head out.

Drivers’ Site: https://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/

EXPASA Hamanako Facilities & Services

Parking:
[Tokyo-bound]
32 large vehicles / 210 standard vehicles (including spaces shared with large vehicles)
Accessible parking: 1 large vehicle / 5 standard vehicles
[Nagoya-bound]
35 large vehicles / 273 standard vehicles (including spaces shared with large vehicles)
Accessible parking: 1 large vehicle / 5 standard vehicles

Plat Park Parking:
38 standard vehicles
3 accessible spaces (total for both directions)
Bicycle parking: 5 standard bicycles / 5 road bikes

Restrooms:
Men’s: 68 / Women’s: 112
Accessible restrooms: 6

Dining:
Restaurant: 1
Food court: 8 shops
Café: 1
Takeout: 3 shops
Vending machines (24 hours)

Shopping:
Shopping corners: 2
Convenience store (FamilyMart, 24 hours)

Baby & Kids:
Baby corner (24 hours)
Diaper changing tables (baby beds)
Kids’ Corner
Diapers for sale (East Building shop)
Restrooms with baby seats
Nursing room with lock and sink

Other:
ATMs (Seven Bank, 24 hours / Japan Post Bank, 24 hours)
Free Wi-Fi: Available
Gas station (24 hours)
– Tokyo-bound: apollostation
– Nagoya-bound: ENEOS
There is also one EV fast-charging station in each direction.

EXPASA Hamanako Information

Address: 47-1 Sakume, Mikkabi-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
Phone: 053-526-7220 (Area Concierge)
Official Website: https://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/sapa/guide?sapainfoid=31

In this article, we introduced EXPASA Hamanako, a large service area where you can soak in the beautiful scenery of Lake Hamana.

With facilities designed with families and dog owners in mind, plus a great selection of local food and souvenirs, it’s the perfect place to take a break while sightseeing.

Amazing views, great food, shopping, and fun activities all in one place, EXPASA Hamanako is a service area you’ll truly want to stop at.

If you’re heading to the Hamamatsu area, be sure to pay EXPASA Hamanako a visit!

Special thanks: Central Nippon Exis Co., Ltd.

*The information in this article is subject to change.