For those who want to enjoy a full day even on a day trip, we would like to introduce a “Zoo & Day Trip Hot Spring Plan” that allows you to enjoy Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana to the fullest.

This time we visited Hamamatsu City Zoo and Hanasaki no Yu, located in the Lake Hamana/Kanzanji area. We will introduce you to the sights to see and how to enjoy them, so please use them to plan your trip during the tourist season.

First, go to “Hamamatsu City Zoo”

Hamamatsu City Zoo is a municipal zoo located in Tateyamaji-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu City. You can also access it by bus from Hamamatsu Station.

The park is spacious and full of nature! You can also enjoy the scenery of each season. On the day I visited for this interview, it was a pleasant autumn day with clear blue skies.

You can meet about 90 kinds of animals!

As of October 2023, the Hamamatsu City Zoo has approximately 90 types of animals on display.

▲Image source: Hamamatsu City Zoo official website「https://hamazoo.net/facilities.php」

Near the entrance of the zoo, ponies, miniature horses, goats, and sheep welcomed us in a peaceful landscape.

Proceeding further, you will arrive at a “flying cage” where birds can fly freely.

Inside the flying cage, you can see colorful and beautiful birds up close.

It’s fun to be able to closely observe a variety of birds, such as birds flying between the trees and birds eating.

At the end of the nature-rich promenade is a pool zone where penguins, polar bears, and sea lions swim.

It was a very hot day, so a polar bear was swimming comfortably in the pool.

As you go deeper into the zoo, you will arrive at a “mini safari” where you can see giraffes.

You will be healed by the sight of animals relaxing in the spacious mini safari. On days when the weather is nice, you can sit on a bench near the mini safari and spend some relaxing time watching the animals.

The primate exhibit at Hamamatsu City Zoo is one of the largest of any zoo in Japan, including western gorillas, orangutans, and the rare small monkey “Golden Lion Tamarin” that can only be found at Hamamatsu City Zoo in Japan.

The golden lion tamarin is a small monkey with a body length of about 34 to 40 cm, and is characterized by its beautiful golden fur and lush mane like a lion’s.

On this day, when I approached, the animal came out from behind the cage and showed me a cute expression. In Japan, the Golden Lion Tamarin can only be seen at Hamamatsu City Zoo. Its round eyes and small body are very cute, so don’t miss it when you visit!

There are also plenty of toilets, nursing rooms, and dining spaces.

There are seven toilet spaces within Hamamatsu City Zoo. Near the center of the site was a building equipped with toilets, a multi-purpose restroom, and a nursing area, and the inside was also air-conditioned. Even though the zoo is full of nature, having facilities like this makes it safe for people with small children.

There is no restaurant-like facility inside Hamamatsu City Zoo, but there is a shop where you can purchase light meals.

There are also nine spaces where you can eat your bento, so we recommend that you enjoy your bento together while feeling the natural surroundings within the park.

Hamamatsu City Zoo is a large zoo surrounded by rich nature. In addition to the outdoor animal exhibits, there are also exhibits such as the “Fureai Building” and “Konchukan” for small animals.

Depending on how you enjoy it, you can enjoy it for half a day or a full day, so be sure to visit at least once!

For a day trip to the hot springs, go to “Hanasaki no Yu”

After enjoying the Hamamatsu City Zoo, we recommend a day trip hot spring called “Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen Hanasaki no Yu,” also located in the Kanzanji area. It is a few minutes by car or within walking distance from Hamamatsu City Zoo.

Hanasaki no Yu is the only day-trip hot spring facility at Kanzanji Onsen. There are two hot springs with different tastes within the facility, “Hiko-no-Yu” and “Sekkei-no-Yu.”

You can rent towels, bath towels, and in-house wear for day-trip bathing. There are plenty of amenities in the bathroom, so it’s nice to be able to use it empty-handed.

Two hot springs with different tastes

At Hanasaki-no-Yu’s hot springs, “Hinka-no-Yu” and “Sekkei-no-Yu,” the men’s and women’s baths are switched on even-numbered days and odd-numbered days, respectively. On the day I visited for this interview, Ikkei-no-Yu was a women’s bath.

Sekikei-no-Yu has an open-air rock bath made with plenty of natural stones, an indoor bath where you can enjoy a silk bath that is good for your skin, and a steam sauna that is not too hot but comfortably warm.

Ishikei no Yu (open-air bath)

▲Image source : Hanasaki no Yu official website「https://hanasakinoyu.jp/onsen/shakkei/」

Sekikei no Yu (indoor bath)

▲Image source : Hanasaki no Yu official website「https://hanasakinoyu.jp/onsen/shakkei/」

Ishikei no Yu (steam sauna)

▲Image source : Hanasaki no Yu official website「https://hanasakinoyu.jp/onsen/shakkei/」

Another hot spring, “Hinka no Yu,” has an open-air bath located in a garden where you can enjoy the seasonal expressions, a spacious indoor bath where you can enjoy the view of the garden, and a large sauna building with a cold water bath. There is an incense sauna.

Hiko no Yu (open-air bath)

▲Image source : Hanasaki no Yu official website「https://hanasakinoyu.jp/onsen/shakkei/」

Hikanoyu (indoor bath)

▲Image source : Hanasaki no Yu official website「https://hanasakinoyu.jp/onsen/shakkei/」

Hinoki hot water (sauna)

▲Image source : Hanasaki no Yu official website「https://hanasakinoyu.jp/onsen/shakkei/」

Relax in the hotel after the hot spring

Hanasaki no Yu has plenty of space where you can relax after enjoying the hot springs. The large hall “Tenryu” is a spacious tatami room with a large screen TV, where you can stretch your legs and relax after a bath.

Furthermore, near the large hall “Tenryu” there is also a “Manga Corner” complete with approximately 6,000 manga books!

There is a wide variety of manga in a wide range of genres, from popular masterpieces to noteworthy works, and even as a manga fan, I couldn’t help but get excited.

Of course, you can also bring manga into the large hall. It’s also nice to have a relaxing time while reading manga.

In addition to the large hall, there is also a space where you can rest in reclining chairs with a TV, and a massage chair room.

It’s nice that the rest area also has a rest area for women only.

You can also enjoy restaurants and luxurious buffets.

Day-trip hot spring guests can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant, Hamahakkei, or a buffet at the adjacent Hotel Wellseason Hamanako.

Restaurant “Hama Hakkei”

Hamahakkei offers a rich menu of more than 80 types, from set meals to a la carte menus. The interior of the restaurant is spacious, and you can enjoy your meal in a calm atmosphere.

Hotel Wellseason Hamanako “Lupinasu” (Viking)

(Photo provided by Hanasaki no Yu)

The buffet at the restaurant Lupinesu in Hotel Wellseason Hamanako, which is adjacent to Hanasaki no Yu, is also popular.

At Lupinesu’s buffet, you can enjoy piping hot dishes prepared right in front of you, a monthly chef’s menu, and pastry chef’s special sweets.

(Photo provided by Hanasaki no Yu)

(Photo provided by Hanasaki no Yu)

Relaxing in a hot spring and filling your stomach with a buffet is a great way to spend your time in a highly satisfying way!

Lupine’s buffet (lunch) is only available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and reservations are required.

For a day trip to Hamamatsu/Lake Hamana, go to “Zoo & Day Trip Hot Springs”

This time, we introduced the “Zoo & Day Trip Hot Spring Plan” where you can fully enjoy Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana. In addition to Hamamatsu City Zoo and Hanasaki no Yu, the Kanzanji area is also full of tourist attractions such as the amusement park Hamanako Palpal and Flower Park.

Recommended for day trips as well as overnight trips. Why not visit the Kanzanji area where you can see a panoramic view of Lake Hamana during the upcoming tourist season?

Hamamatsu City Zoo Facility Information

〒431-1209

199 Kanzanji-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

TEL : 053-487-1122

Opening hours : 9:00-16:30 (Entry until 16:00)

Price (tax included) :

・Adults (high school students and above) 500 yen

・Free for junior high school students and under

・Elderly people over 70 years old: Free

・Free admission for people with disabilities and one caregiver

Click here for the official website of Hamamatsu City Zoo (external link)

Hamanako Kanzanji Onsen Hanasaki no Yu facility information

〒431-1209

1891 Kanzanji-cho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

TEL : 053-487-0001

Reception hours : 10:00-23:00 (last entry 22:00)

Price (tax included) :

・Monday to Friday: Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,420 yen, 3 years old to elementary school students 850 yen

・Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: Adults (junior high school students and older) 1,680 yen, 3 years old to elementary school students 970 yen

*Prices may vary on specific days.

*Late charges apply

*For details, please see the official website.