When traveling by car, taking a break at a service area is one of the joys of the journey. This time, we’re introducing NEOPASA Hamamatsu Service Area.

When traveling by car, taking a break at a service area is one of the joys of the journey.

In Hamamatsu City, there are three service areas, each with its own unique features:

・EXPASA Hamanako (serving both directions)

・NEOPASA Hamamatsu Upbound (toward Tokyo)

・NEOPASA Hamamatsu Downbound (toward Nagoya/Osaka)

This time, we’ll take a closer look at NEOPASA Hamamatsu, located in Oidaira, Hamana-ku (upbound) and Miyakoda-cho, Hamana-ku (downbound) in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

NEOPASA Hamamatsu Upbound (toward Tokyo)

We’ve included photos of the local eats, souvenirs, and highlights, so be sure to use this as a reference for your trip!

What is NEOPASA Hamamatsu?

NEOPASA Hamamatsu is a service area on the Shin-Tomei Expressway, located in Oidaira, Hamana-ku (upbound) and Miyakoda-cho, Hamana-ku (downbound) in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

First, let’s take a closer look at the highlights and features of NEOPASA Hamamatsu.

A Service Area Unique to Hamamatsu, the City of Music!

NEOPASA Hamamatsu is a distinctive service area with a piano-themed exterior.

The upbound side features a sleek black piano design, while the downbound side is inspired by piano keys.

NEOPASA Hamamatsu Upbound (toward Tokyo)

NEOPASA Hamamatsu Downbound (toward Nagoya/Osaka)

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to grab your camera, surrounded by the exciting music culture that Hamamatsu is famous for.

Inside the building, you’ll find the Music Spot, where you can enjoy instruments and music from Hamamatsu’s renowned long-established manufacturers: Yamaha on the upbound side and Roland on the downbound side.

Music Spot (Upbound – Yamaha)

The upbound side features Yamaha’s Music Spot, where visitors can freely try out hybrid pianos and electronic instruments at the hands-on experience corner.

In addition to pianos, there are interactive exhibits that let you visualize and control sound, as well as displays showcasing Yamaha’s history, making it a fun spot for both adults and children.

Events such as mini concerts and the Piano Mystery Experience Show are also held several times a year.

Music Spot (Downbound – Roland)

The downbound side features Roland’s Music Spot, showcasing a variety of electronic instruments, including Roland electronic pianos, electronic drums, synthesizers, and guitar effecter.

Photo courtesy of NEXCO Central Japan Services

This wrapped piano was created in collaboration with ParalynArt (operated by the Japan Organization for the Promotion of Independence for Persons with Disabilities) with sponsorship from Roland.

Of course, many of the instruments can be played, and each is equipped with headphones, allowing you to enjoy playing without worrying about disturbing others.

Admission to the Music Spot is free, so feel free to stop by and experience the musical city of Hamamatsu.

Music Spot
・Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
・Open year-round, free admission

Spacious Dog Run Available!

NEOPASA Hamamatsu is also a service area that makes traveling with your dog even more enjoyable.

Both the upbound and downbound sides feature artificial turf dog runs, making it a popular rest stop where dogs can play freely.

Dog Run for All Breeds (Upbound)

The upbound side features a dog run divided into an all-breeds area (approximately 320㎡) and a small-dog-only area (approximately 50㎡), designed so dogs of various sizes can play safely and comfortably.

The ground is covered with artificial turf, so dogs can play to their heart’s content without getting too dirty.

The downbound side has an all-breeds area only (approximately 250㎡), but it is also covered with artificial turf, allowing dogs to play in a clean environment.

With a shower-equipped paw-washing station, drinking fountains, and waste disposal bins, it’s the perfect spot to refresh with your dog.

Next to the dog run is Ueshima Coffee Shop, where dogs are welcome on the terrace.

Leash hooks are also provided, so you can relax with a drink in hand.

Ueshima Coffee Shop (Downbound)

On the upbound side, Ueshima Coffee Shop also has a dog-friendly indoor area, allowing you to relax with your pet in a comfortable, air-conditioned space.

Ueshima Coffee Shop (Upbound)

Safe and Fun for Small Children!

NEOPASA Hamamatsu features both a kids’ corner and a baby corner on the upbound and downbound sides, making it a comfortable stop for families with young children.

The kids’ corners on both the upbound and downbound sides are open 24 hours, and they include cushioned play areas where small children can play safely.

Additionally, there are handwashing stations designed for small children, allowing them to wash their hands immediately after playing for added safety and hygiene.

A nice feature of the downbound kids’ corner is that a child-sized restroom is located just behind the handwashing area.

Kids’ Corner (Downbound) – The child-sized restroom is located just behind the handwashing area.

The baby corners are also equipped with nursing rooms and formula preparation machines.

There are lockable private nursing rooms, so parents can stop by with peace of mind.

Coin Showers and Laundry Available

At NEOPASA Hamamatsu, both the upbound and downbound Drivers’ Spots are equipped with coin-operated showers and laundry facilities, allowing travelers to easily refresh during trips or long drives.

Both the coin showers and coin laundry are open 24 hours (service temporarily unavailable 15 minutes before cleaning).

Cleaning Hours:
Upbound: 2:00 AM – 3:00 AM, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Downbound: 12:00 AM – 1:00 AM, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Accessible from Local Roads!

NEOPASA Hamamatsu is also equipped with a Platto Park that can be accessed from local roads, making it easy for travelers on regular roads to stop by.

Many local visitors also stop by to enjoy the dining options and dog run.

NEOPASA Hamamatsu – Dining Options

At NEOPASA Hamamatsu (upbound and downbound), you’ll find a wide variety of dining options, from local specialty food courts to freshly baked bread and relaxing cafes, allowing you to choose freely according to your taste and mood.

Recommended Eats at NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Upbound)

The open and spacious food court offers a variety of flavors, including the famous Hamamatsu gyoza.

The high ceilings and bright atmosphere make it a comfortable place to enjoy your meal.

The food court features a variety of restaurants, including Hamamatsu gyoza, Chinese cuisine, udon, rice bowls, and a long-established chicken specialty shop serving Nagoya Cochin.

Restaurants in the Food Court:

・Ganso Hamamatsu Gyoza Ishimatsu
・Chinese Iron Chef by Chen Kenichi
・Unagi-dokoro Kagura
・Hamakita Shokudo – Meat Tsukeudon & Rice Bowls
・Torisanwa

Among them, a must-try is Ganso Hamamatsu Gyoza Ishimatsu.

Ganso Hamamatsu Gyoza Ishimatsu is a long-established restaurant founded in 1953 and is known as the originator of Hamamatsu gyoza.

The cabbage-centered filling has a natural sweetness and a light texture, making it so delicious that you can easily eat many pieces, earning nationwide popularity.

The only service area where you can enjoy Ganso Hamamatsu Gyoza Ishimatsu is NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Upbound)!

This time, I tried the popular Ishimatsu Gyoza (10 pieces) at Ganso Hamamatsu Gyoza Ishimatsu.

Ishimatsu Gyoza is packed with vegetables and has a light, juicy flavor.

Served piping hot, the crispy skin adds a perfect texture.

You can also enjoy the unique crunch of bean sprouts, a hallmark of Hamamatsu gyoza.

In addition to the food court, you can also visit Saint ETOILE for freshly baked bread made entirely on-site, or Ueshima Coffee Shop to enjoy richly aromatic coffee.

A popular menu item at the upbound Ueshima Coffee Shop is the beef curry.

Made with meat and vegetable extracts and enhanced with their unique rich drip coffee as a secret ingredient, this beef curry (available on weekends and holidays) is praised for its mild yet deep flavor.

Photo courtesy of NEXCO Central Japan Official Website

The upbound Ueshima Coffee Shop also has a dog-friendly area where you can spend time with your pet.

Located next to the dog run, it’s perfect for relaxing together after your dog has played freely.

Other options include the convenience store Ministop, Drivers’ Spot Tenjinya where you can buy Shizuoka-style oden and bento, and Peco, offering takeout treats like soft serve ice cream and crepes.

Recommended Eats at NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Downbound)

The downbound food court also features high ceilings and a spacious, open atmosphere, where you can leisurely enjoy a wide variety of flavors, from local specialties to hearty meals and light snacks.

Restaurants in the Food Court:
・Hamamatsu Gyoza & Ramen Hamakitaken
・Unahama
・Homemade Udon TenTsururi
・Stamina Manpuku Shokudo
・Shizuoka Seafood Set Meals Enshu Hamano-ya

While all the restaurants had tempting menus, this time I visited the hidden gem Drivers’ Spot Tenjinya instead of the food court to try the local specialty, Shizuoka-style oden.

Tenjinya is a long-established deli and bento chain headquartered in Shizuoka City.

Within Shizuoka Prefecture, it has been widely loved as “Oden and Bento Tenjinya.”

Since its founding in 1958, Tenjinya has been offering prepared foods and bento rooted in Shizuoka’s culinary culture, earning the long-standing love of local drivers and residents alike.

At the NEOPASA Hamamatsu locations, in addition to classic bento and rice balls, the ever-popular piping hot Shizuoka-style oden is a favorite among visitors.

Rows of oden ingredients, richly soaked in flavorful broth, make it fun to browse and choose your favorites.

This time, I tried the popular items tamago-yaki (Japanese rolled omelette ), kuro hanpen (black fish cake), daikon (Japanese Radish), and Tenjinya’s original Fuji no Shirayuki.

Topped with plenty of aonori dashi powder, a unique feature of Shizuoka-style oden, the aroma and umami are brought out even more.

In particular, Fuji no Shirayuki is a unique oden item featuring a chewy outer layer wrapped around a meatball.

The combination of the broth-soaked dough and juicy filling creates an exquisite flavor, making it a local specialty you can only enjoy here.

At NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Downbound), you’ll also find casual spots such as Hearth Brown, offering freshly baked bread made entirely on-site; Ueshima Coffee Shop for aromatic coffee; the convenience store Ministop; Kaze no Bokujo Tenten for takeout treats; and Fujin, famous for its delicious skewers of Mikkabi beef.

4 Recommended Souvenirs at NEOPASA Hamamatsu

No visit to a service area is complete without picking up some local specialty souvenirs.

Next, let’s take a look at recommended souvenirs from NEOPASA Hamamatsu.

We’ve selected items that are mostly exclusive to this location, allowing you to enjoy Hamamatsu’s local flavors even after your trip!

[NEOPASA Hamamatsu Limited] Mikkabi Mandarin Baumkuchen

This moist baumkuchen combines the rich natural sweetness and refreshing acidity of Mikkabi mandarins for a perfectly balanced flavor.

The cake is made with a paste of locally grown Mikkabi mandarins, using the whole fruit including the peel, and finished with a generous drizzle of mandarin juice syrup.

The result is a rich flavor that truly captures the essence of the fruit itself.

A pre-sliced version is also available, making it perfect as a small gift or a snack for the car.

This item is exclusively sold at NEOPASA Hamamatsu (both upbound and downbound).

[NEOPASA Hamamatsu Limited] Pistachio & Honey Galette

For those who want to enjoy a luxurious texture and rich flavor, this galette made with pistachios and honey is highly recommended.

The galette combines a special pistachio chocolate cream with locally sourced Shizuoka honey, and a pinch of Guerande sea salt from Brittany, France, as a hidden touch to enhance and balance the flavors.

With its crunchy texture and a perfect balance of deep sweetness and subtle saltiness, this baked treat is truly addictive once you try it.

[NEOPASA Hamamatsu Limited] Junsei Roll

The Junsei Roll comes from Irikawaya, a long-established Japanese and Western confectionery shop with over 150 years of history in Hamamatsu.

Made with plenty of fresh local eggs and minimal flour, the cake boasts a moist, soft texture and a gentle, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

The flavors differ between the upbound and downbound locations: the upbound side offers a rich chocolate roll, while the downbound side carries a light and fluffy fresh cream roll.

[Irikawaya] Junsei Roll (Upbound)

[Irikawaya] Junsei Roll (Downbound)

Both are exclusive to NEOPASA Hamamatsu, so be sure to give them a try.

Please note, however, that they are frozen products, so be mindful of the time it takes to take them home.

Hamamatsu Gyoza (Frozen)

While not exclusive to NEOPASA Hamamatsu, these Hamamatsu gyoza are a classic local specialty souvenir!

The Ishimatsu Gyoza, popular in the upbound food court, retains its delicious flavor even as a frozen product.

You can purchase it at shops on both the upbound and downbound sides.

You can also find Hamamatsu Gyoza and Mochibuta Gyoza from Gomihatchin, a Chinese restaurant chain mainly based in western Shizuoka Prefecture.

Founded in 1970, Gomihatchin is a beloved local favorite in Shizuoka.

Known as a place where you can casually enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine, it has long been a part of the local dining scene.

Their signature Hamamatsu Gyoza is known for its light, vegetable-forward flavor that appeals to everyone.

The Mochibuta Gyoza, on the other hand, is packed with juicy pork goodness, offering a rich and satisfying taste.

One of the highlights of NEOPASA Hamamatsu is its wide selection of Hamamatsu gyoza from famous local restaurants.

Crowd Information at NEOPASA Hamamatsu

When we visited around midday on a weekday in July, the food court and souvenir shops were bustling with visitors during lunchtime.

On weekends and holidays, the area gets especially crowded.

Be sure to check the driver’s information site before heading out.

Driver’s information site: https://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/

Facilities & Services at NEOPASA Hamamatsu

Parking Capacity:
[Upward (toward Tokyo)]
Large vehicles: 173 / Small vehicles: 107 (including shared spaces with large vehicles)
Accessible parking: Large 1 / Small 4

[Downward (toward Nagoya)]
Large vehicles: 148 / Small vehicles: 162 (including shared spaces with large vehicles)
Accessible parking: Large 1 / Small 4

Plat Park Parking Capacity:
[Upward (toward Tokyo)]
Standard vehicles: 67 / Accessible: 2

[Downward (toward Nagoya)]
Standard vehicles: 60 / Accessible: 2

Restrooms:
[Upward (toward Tokyo)]
・Men: 18 stalls / 24 urinals
・Women: 60
・Accessible restrooms: 4

[Downward (toward Nagoya)]
・Men: 22 stalls / 26 urinals
・Women: 62
・Accessible restrooms: 4

Dining:
[Upward & Downward]
・Food Court: 5 restaurants
・Café: 1
・Bakery: 1
・Takeout stands: 2
・Vending machines (24 hours)

Shopping:
[Upward & Downward]
・Souvenir shop: 1
・Convenience store (MINISTOP, 24 hours)

Baby & Kids:
[Upward & Downward]
・Baby corner (24 hours)
・Diaper changing stations (baby beds)
・Kids’ play area (24 hours)
・Diapers available for purchase (MINISTOP)
・Restrooms with baby chairs
・Nursing room with lock, formula preparation machine, and sink

Other Facilities & Services:
[Upward & Downward]
・Coin showers (24 hours*, 300yen / 10 min)
・Coin laundry (24 hours, washing machine 200yen/ load, dryer 100yen / 30 min)
・ATMs (Seven Bank 24 hours / AEON Bank 24 hours)
・Free Wi-Fi
・Gas station (ENEOS, 24 hours)
・EV rapid charging stations: 2 units
* Coin shower cleaning hours:
・Upward: 2:00 AM–3:00 AM, 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
・Downward: 12:00 AM–1:00 AM, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
(Shower service stops 15 minutes before cleaning begins)

NEOPASA Hamamatsu – Facility Information

[Upward]
Address: 36 Oidaira, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi
Phone: 053-580-1360 (Area Concierge)
Official Website: https://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/sapa?sapainfoid=199

[Downward]
Address: 7822-7 Miyakoda-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi
Phone: 053-482-8235 (Area Concierge)
Official Website: https://sapa.c-nexco.co.jp/sapa?sapainfoid=200

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This time, we introduced NEOPASA Hamamatsu (Upward & Downward), a service area known for its local gourmet cuisine and exclusive souvenirs.

With facilities designed for families and trips with dogs, plus plenty of attractions unique to Hamamatsu—the city of music—NEOPASA Hamamatsu is the perfect spot for a relaxing break during your journey.

If you’re heading toward Hamamatsu, be sure to stop by NEOPASA Hamamatsu!