The Oku Lake Hamana Area [(Hosoe town (Hosoe-cho), Flower viewing around Oku Lake Hamana (Hamanako), Inasa town (Inasa-cho) and Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho)] is called the “Backroom of Enshu”, offering good tours of famous temples, shrines, gardens and flowers. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful scenic spots, ancient promenades, and many kinds of fruit and mushroom picking.
The mansaku or witch-hazels in the Onanomine Peak permeates such a peaceful atmosphere, heralding the arrival of spring. Stalls serve mikan-mochi (rice-cake with an orange inside), green tea, and other specialties in Mikkabi. Onanomine Peak Witch-hazel Festival is held here.
Makayaji Temple
The garden at this temple was originally created at the beginning of the Kamakura Period. The style of the garden is from the Heian Period, currently unique in eastern Japan. This garden and the Saihoji Temple (Kokedera) garden in Kyoto are held in equally high regard. Makayaji is one of the 5 famous temples in the northern area of Lake Hamana.
Contact – Makayaji Temple
421 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho), Makaya, Kita ward (Kita-ku), Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1413, Japan Entrance: Adults ¥300, jr. high school students ¥200, children ¥100 Closed: Aug.10 Hour: 9:00-16:00 Tel/Fax: 053-525-0027
Website: http://www.onsen-ryokou.com/area04/find801.htm
Daifukuji Temple
In the garden of this temple, visitors can enjoy strolling around the pond with the Niomon Gate and the mountains in the background. Daifukuji Natto, a dry salty natto, which was once offered to the Toyotomi and Tokugawa lords, is this temple’s homemade specialty. Daifukuji is one of the 5 famous temples in the northern area of Lake Hamana.
Contact – Daifukuji Temple 220-3 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Fukunaga, Kita ward (Kita-ku), Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1411, Japan Entrance: Buddhist Treasures Exhibition – adults ¥500, children ¥250 Hour: 9:00-17:00, Hantoshi cherry trees (blooming – Sep.~Mar.) TEL: 053-525-0278
FAX: 053-525-0528
Seto
One of the most beautiful spots around Lake Hamana, Seto is the entrance to Lake Inohana (a branch of Lake Hamana). You can’t miss the two prominent red and silver bridges seen from the lake. Lake Inohana, which is connected to Lake Hamana by a waterway called “Seto”. Visitors can enjoy natural hot spring at lake-side hotels. In addition to resort hotels, you can find Japanese-style inns called “ryokan” and Japanese- and western-style guest houses. The lake is very scenic, and you will enjoy picturesque views of the red suspension bridge over Seto, and the rock formations which seem to float on the lake’s surface. There are many different styles of accommodations are available. Also see: Hamanako Sightseeing Boat Tour at Kanzanji Harbor
Contact – Seto Harbor (Seto-Hamana Costa Port) 1899-5 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Osaki, Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Kita ward (Kita-ku), Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1403, Japan Tel: 053-526-7066 (Seto Harbor), 053-524-1124 (Mikkabi-cho Tourism Association)
Seto Harbo Website: http://www.hamanako-yuransen.com/
Mikkabi Hot Springs and Oku Hamanako Hot Springs
There are four hot springs around Lake Hamana: the Kanzanji hot spring, the Bentenjima hot spring, the Yuto hot spring, and the Mikkabi hot spring. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Hamana from Mikkabi Hot Springs, which are fed by simple alkali springs. Oku Hamanako Hot springs supplied by salty earth-tone springs can also be enjoyed. Ladies like Mikkabi Hot Spring because it makes their skin feel smooth. At Kanzanji Hot Spring, luxuriate in a spa bath while looking out over Lake Hamana.
Mikkabi Hot Spring 1423 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Oya, Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Kita ward (Kita-ku), Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1407, Japan
Contact – Mikkabi-cho Tourism Association
Oku Hamanako Hot Springs 826-2 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Tsuzuki, Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Kita ward (Kita-ku), Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1402, Japan
Contact – Mikkabi-cho Tourism Association
Figure: Map of Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho)
Transportation – Getting Around Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) in Oku Lake Hamana (Hamanako) Area of Hamamatsu [See Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Area Map Above]:
By Train: Tenryu Hamanako Line Shinjohara Station → Mikkabi Station (25min.)
By Bus: Hamamatsu Station Bus Terminal No.15 “Mikkabi Iki” (70min.)
Mikkabi Tourism Contact:
Mikkabi Tourist Association 500-1 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Mikkabi, Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Kita ward (Kita-ku), Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1414, Japan TEL: 053-524-1124 FAX: 053-524-1171
Website: http://mikkabi.jp/
Lake Hamana Chamber of Commerce, Mikkabi Branch 500-21 Mikkabi town (Mikkabi-cho) Mikkabi, Hamamatsu City (Hamamatsu-shi), Kita Ward, Shizuoka Prefecture 431-1414, Japan TEL: 053-524-1121
Email: ms-1…@iris.dti.ne.jp
Website: http://okuhamanako-s.jp/
