It’s been getting colder and colder lately, and winter is fast approaching.

This time, we would like to introduce the Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet, which is held every year around this time of year when preparations for winter begin (late November to early December) and is aimed at two- and four-wheeled vehicles!

What is a swap meet?

The Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet is a swap meet-style event aimed primarily at car and motorcycle enthusiasts.

In addition to being a place where people trade and exchange old cars (vintage cars and classic bikes), parts, accessories, and related goods, it is also a popular place for enthusiasts to interact with each other.

The name “2&4” contains the meanings of both two-wheeled vehicles (bikes) and four-wheeled vehicles (cars).

“Swap meet” is a combination of the English words “swap” (exchange) and “meet” (meeting).

In other words, it’s a motorcycle and car parts exchange event!

hey originally started as a place to barter unwanted items across the United States, but now they are also called flea markets or “autojumbles” in the UK and have become a style of event that is popular around the world.

The Hamanako 2&4 Swap Meet will also feature food and music booths, providing a space where visitors can enjoy food and music.

In addition, special exhibitions with different themes are held each time, providing rich content that will pique the interest of hobbyists.

The theme this time is,

“Come together! Air-cooled 750cc”

I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of special exhibitions will be held based on this theme!

In addition, we are also actively involved in supporting disaster-stricken areas, including providing hot meals to those areas.

Proceeds from the event will be used to cover the costs of these activities, and fundraising activities to support the disaster-stricken areas will also be held at the venue.

This event allows participants to enjoy their hobby while also contributing to society.

History and thoughts of the "Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet"

The Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet dates back to 2006 and officially started the following year as “Vol.1”.

Since then, there have been years when the event could not be held due to bad weather, but it has now been held up to “Vol. 22”.

When the event first began, there were only about 80 booths, but it has now grown into a large-scale event with over 300 booths.

"Human connections" that spread from bikes and cars

The Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet has a long history and is now known as one of the largest events in Japan (within its genre), welcoming thousands of visitors not only from neighboring prefectures but from all over Japan!

Judging from the license plates, it is clear that many visitors come from all over Japan, and many arrive by car or motorbike early in the morning.

The day before the event, the surrounding hotels seem to be fully booked!

The Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet attracts a wide range of participants, from professional dealers to hobbyist collectors.

Both exhibitors and visitors are people who are passionate about motorcycle equipment and car-related items.

As the name suggests, there are many shops that sell motorcycle and car parts, but that’s not all there is to it

A wide variety of items are on display, including clothes, chairs, miscellaneous goods, and catalogs.

Anyone can set up a stall and you can either have your own shop or just come as a customer looking for bargains!

The Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet is a place where people who love motorcycles and cars can bring their own “treasures” and enjoy interacting with each other.

This is something that is unique to the world of hobbies.

Those who are not interested may not know what value it has, but to those who do, it is a true treasure.

Among motorcycle enthusiasts, there are many who are so enthusiastic that they can tell the make, model, and even year of a bike just by looking at its silhouette, and for them this event is a special place where they can enjoy the fun of an adult “treasure hunt.”

Reasons for holding the event at Lake Hamana

Since participating in the Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet last year, I have wondered, “Why was this place chosen as the venue?”

The answer lies in the concept of this event, “Motor Music City Lake Hamana.”

While the western region of Shizuoka Prefecture is known as a “town of musical instruments,” it is also a world-renowned “town of motorcycles.”

Japan’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, were all born here.

This was a place where motorcycle manufacturers who supported the golden age of the motorcycle industry competed with each other to hone their technologies, and there is no other region with such a background.

Furthermore, the venue will be Lake Hamana Boat Race.

The location on the shores of Lake Hamana further enhances the event’s appeal.

For people who visit on touring or drives, the spectacular view of Lake Hamana is a special experience.

The atmosphere and scenery that can only be experienced in this location draws the hearts of participants.

(The moment of sunset is something special!)

The appeal of swap meets

The Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet is held in the morning from 5am to 12 noon.

The event begins early in the morning, just a few hours before sunrise!

In the cold pre-dawn air, a line of unique bikes and cars arrive one after another at the parking lot of Lake Hamana Boat Race Course.

The line is made up of exhibitors and general visitors participating in the event.

It was still dark, and shops were set up in the parking lot where the event was being held. While shop owners were stocking their items, customers could be seen all around browsing the shops, shining flashlights into the stores.

From here, we will introduce the appeal of the Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet in more detail.

POINT.01 Parts and goods sold by exhibitors

A must-see for classic car and vintage bike enthusiasts!

Here you can find old vehicles, motorcycle parts, antique items, and rare collector’s items all in one place.

It’s also a great place to find valuable parts that are essential for repairs and customizations.

Why not make your beloved car even more special in this space where you can encounter rare items and gain new inspiration?

POINT.02 Vehicle display

One of the highlights is the display of participants’ beloved cars.

Beautifully restored classic cars and vintage bikes are lined up, and their brilliance will catch your eye.

Classic car fans can enjoy a truly blissful experience, feeling the passion and stories that their owners have for each vehicle!

POINT.03 Flea market format

The swap meet can also be enjoyed as a casual market where members of the public set up stalls and sell unwanted parts and related products.

The appeal of this event is that anyone from beginners to veterans can easily participate, finding bargains and having fun interacting with others.

Furthermore, this event is also a place to spread the culture of “valuing things and using them for a long time” by reusing old parts and tools.

Rather than simply consuming, the area is rooted in a spirit of creating new value through repair and reuse, and offers visitors a sustainable lifestyle.

POINT.04 A place for interaction

Another attractive feature is the community element, where people with shared hobbies can gather to exchange information and network.

Another important goal is to foster a community where car and motorcycle enthusiasts can come together to share their hobbies and knowledge.

The events create new connections, providing a place where fans can help each other and generate new ideas.

In this way, the Hamanako 2&4 Swap Meet goes beyond being just a market event; it serves as a bridge connecting people and cultures.

The thoughts of the organizers and participants come together to create a special experience at Lake Hamana.

Details of Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet

Date and time: Sunday, December 1, 2024 Rain or shine, 5am to 12pm

(This event has already ended)

Venue: Lake Hamana Racecourse East Parking Lot (Opposite Parking Lot)

Address: 3727-7 Nakanogo, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture

Participation fee: 500 yen for men only (free for women and high school students and younger)

・Parking fee: Free

This event has already ended.

Due to its nature, the Lake Hamana 2&4 Swap Meet tends to be popular among adults, especially men.

However, in order to pass on this event to the next generation and make it a place that more people can enjoy, we are also focusing on reaching out to younger generations and women.

Furthermore, we aim to evolve into a family event that the whole family can enjoy.

“We want to create a place where even small children can easily participate and make fun memories together with adults.”

With this in mind, they aim to hold an event that not only provides a place for hobbyists to interact with each other, but also provides valuable time for families to spend together.

We look forward to seeing this event grow into one that will continue into the future, bringing even more people together with smiles on their faces!

The Arai Town Information Dissemination PR Team will also be exhibiting!

On the day, the Arai Town Information PR Team, which I belong to, will also be setting up a booth to promote the town’s attractions to visitors!

What is the Arai Town Information Dissemination PR Team?

This is a group of local volunteers who are responsible for promoting the attractions of Arai Town in Kosai City.

We mainly use maps to introduce the town’s restaurants and history, and also set up select shops at events.

The latest Araimachi Town Tour MAP

Why not stop by the booths at the venue before heading out to explore the city after the event?