-Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux.

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Tucked away in the mountains of Tenryu Ward in Hamamatsu City, there’s a little place called Kunma.

It’s written with the character for “bear” (熊), but it’s read “Kunma.”

Long ago, Kunma was a lively post town where two old travel routes crossed — the Akihasan-Horaiji Road and the Zenkoji-Okuyama Road.

This time, we visited “Kunma Suisha-no-Sato,” a roadside station nestled in the Kunma area.

A Quaint Watermill – The Heart of the Roadside Station

We’ll take a closer look at all the fun things you can enjoy at Kunma Suisha-no-Sato — from the local restaurant and gift shop to the hands-on workshop!

Located just about 10 minutes by car from the Hamamatsu-Nishi Interchange and around 5 minutes from the Kanzanji Smart Interchange, Nukumori no Mori is easily accessible by car.

The uniquely shaped buildings that create Nukumori no Mori’s distinctive world are made almost entirely from one-of-a-kind antiques.

Staying true to authenticity, the founder sourced original windows, interiors, and decorative pieces from overseas.

Photo courtesy of Nukumori no Mori

With its gentle, storybook-like atmosphere, Nukumori no Mori feels like stepping into a small medieval European village.

This charming spot has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over Japan.

Nukumori no Mori is a relaxing place where you can take your time and enjoy a peaceful stroll. Just as its name suggests, it offers a warm, comforting atmosphere that soothes the soul.

This time, we paid a visit to Nukumori no Mori—a truly charming spot—and we’re excited to share all the details with you♪

Looking for the perfect stopover on your journey between Tokyo and Osaka? Look no further than Hamamatsu — a captivating destination well worth your time.

Nestled in nature, Lake Hamana offers the soothing sounds of waves and water, creating a peaceful escape. In contrast, the city center reveals Hamamatsu’s innovation, where world-class musical instruments and precision engines reflect its strong industrial heritage.

For those craving tranquility, the Tenryu region and the depths of Lake Hamana offer a retreat into nature.  You can listen to the rustling trees, the gentle flow of rivers, and even gaze at a sky full of stars.

In this article, we feature 40 handpicked spots in and around Hamamatsu, each showcased with stunning photography.

Many Muslims live in the city of Hamamatsu.

When the time for prayer arrives, they naturally gather in one place.
That place is Mohammadi Mosque—a quietly standing sanctuary where faith and peace of mind converge. It truly is a “place of solace.”

Uncovering the Unique Appeal of Unagi-imo, Born from Local Pride

There is a quietly growing interest in a unique Japanese sweet potato brand: Unagi-imo. With a name that is hard to forget, this special potato originates from Hamamatsu—a city known for its unagi (eel) culture. It was born out of one man’s passion for agriculture, combined with the distinctive characteristics of the local land and culinary traditions.

In this article, we delve into the origins of Unagi-imo, uncover what makes it truly one-of-a-kind, explore its flavor and craftsmanship, and introduce the shops where you can enjoy it for yourself.

Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture is well known as a multicultural city, offering a comfortable and welcoming environment for Muslim residents and visitors alike. The city is home to a wide variety of halal-friendly supermarkets and restaurants, allowing Muslims to enjoy daily life without worrying about dietary restrictions.

For example, “Al-Hakim Halal Mart,” located near a mosque, is a popular destination for Muslims from countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Pakistan. It offers not only halal food ingredients and ready-made meals but also clothing, toothbrushes, and other daily necessities, all halal-certified.

“Matahari Café is a restaurant run by a Japanese chef who is married to an Indonesian woman, serves only halal dishes and provides prayer mats and a foot-washing area for Muslim guests, ensuring religious needs are respected.

You’ve probably heard of Kyoto’s matcha, but did you know that Shizuoka is one of Japan’s top green tea-producing regions?

Shizuoka Prefecture is known in Japan as “Shizuoka Prefecture when it comes to green tea,” and in fact, Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the top green tea producers in Japan, even more so than Kyoto, known as the home of green tea!

There are many varieties (regional brands) of “Shizuoka green tea” produced in Shizuoka Prefecture, such as Motoyama tea in Shizuoka City, Kakegawa tea in Kakegawa City, Kawane tea in Shimada City, and Tenryu tea in Hamamatsu City are well known.

▲Photo provided: Kakegawa City (Cold Fukamushi (Deep-Steamed) Kakegawa Green Tea)

If you’re looking to experience tea picking, learn about green tea, and of course, enjoy some tea, here are some of the best green tea spots in Shizuoka Prefecture for you to explore!

Outside of Japan, “Shizuoka Prefecture is associated with tea” may not yet be widely known.

Why not enjoy tea in Shizuoka Prefecture ahead of your friends?

Strawberry picking is one of the most popular leisure activities in spring!

Image: Kashima Harvest

This article introduces recommended “strawberry picking spots” in Hamamatsu. Detailed explanations of fees, access, and reservation methods for each facility are also provided!

In addition, we also introduce sightseeing spots in Hamamatsu that you can enjoy together with strawberry picking, so please be sure to look at this page until the end.

Muskmelon is juicy and has a rich aroma.

Did you know that Shizuoka Prefecture is actually famous for producing cantaloupe?

introduce Kashima Harvest, a tourist farm where you can pick melons in Kurematsu-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

When you go melon picking at Kashima Harvest, you can take home the melon you harvested.

In addition, there is a tasting experience where you can enjoy chilled melons that are perfect for eating on the spot during the hot summer!

Let me introduce you in detail.

Blueberries are in season in early summer from June to August.

Did you know that you can also go blueberry picking in Hamamatsu?

This time, I went to Sato Fam “Aoitori” located in Miyakodamachi, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu City, which is also featured in the Yaramaika Tourism.

A plan that includes a 30-minute blueberry picking experience and original gelato containing whole blueberries.

Not only can you eat the blueberries you picked on the spot, but you can also take home a pack of them.

Now, let’s go pick blueberries, which are in season now!

The most representative fruit that signals the arrival of spring is strawberries, which turn bright red.

In particular, “strawberry picking” where you can stuff your mouth with freshly picked strawberries is a recommended activity in spring.

In fact, Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the leading strawberry producing areas in Japan. So this time, we visited Kashima Harvest, a recommended strawberry picking spot in Hamamatsu, for an interview.