At Yaizu Port facing Suruga Bay, where the Oi-River flows, you can enjoy various things such as Yaizu Southern Bluefin Tuna, which is called “red diamond” because of its elegant fat and sweetness, bonito flakes which are royal gifts, as well as sashimi and tataki. The bonito fishes used to make these delicious dishes are caught here.
In the middle basin of the Oi-River, the Oi-River Railway, a steam locomotive, runs between the fresh green tea garden and the magnificent Oi-River. At Kawanehon Town there is a tea garden located over 500m above sea level and is called the “tea-producing area in the sky”, here you can see a magical landscape filled with fog.
Tea experience unique to the Oi-River basin With the “Tea room” experience (tea in tea garden space with a superb view), you can enjoy taste testing various teas, a high quality green tea / matcha tea room experience in a Japanese garden, tea farm visit, hand massage experience, tea girl experience, and tea factory tour.
More than a century has passed since eel and soft-shell turtle farming was developed in the Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana area, and in that time over a hundred restaurants specializing in eel have sprung up. Because the area is situated halfway between Eastern and Western Japan, you can find the eel cuisine styles of both regions in Hamamatsu. In the Eastern style, the eel is slit along the back before broiling, and in the Western style, the cut is made along the belly.
You must experience the spectacular scenery of Okuoikojo Station, which won the Okuoiko Cool Japan Award, and the Sumata Gorge Yume rope bridge.
This is a kayaking experience for beginners. You can paddle a kayak leisurely on a quiet, wide lake with no current. You can enjoy the magnificent Oi River, and a paragliding experience with a view of Mt Fuji is also recommended.
Whitebait and blowfish caught off the coast of Enshu. Such local foods are prepared in a variety of ways found only in the area of Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana.
Please enjoy the local sake brewed with brewer’s rice and the underground water from the Oi-River basin originating in the Southern Alps, which is also popular overseas.
stunning views of Lake Hamana and the townscape of Kanzanji Onsen can be seen from an aerial tram that passes over the lake, the only such tram in Japan.