First sunrise over Lake Hamana

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Written by Akira Kato

On the afternoon of December 31, 2016, I got in a car with my family and headed to Hamanako Lake Side Plaza Hotel in Shizuoka Prefecture. That evening we ate toshikoshi-soba together, or “year-crossing noodles” which is a traditional Japanese noodle dish eaten on New Year's Eve, listened to the New Year’s bell being rung with the other hotel guests, and woke up early to gaze out at the first sunrise of 2017 from our room’s window.

It was a moment of overwhelming happiness. We had witnessed the New Year, 2017, arrive safely. Happy New Year!

Tourism Agreement of Taiwan’s Sun and Moon Lake and Lake Hamana

Lake Hamana is located between Hamamatsu City and Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It has an area of 65 km² and is the tenth largest lake in Japan. Particularly famous for its farming of unagi, or freshwater eels, the lake is also well-known for its cultivation of oysters, seaweed, etc. In 2016, Lake Hamana entered a “friendship exchange” tourism agreement with Taiwan’s Sun and Moon Lake.

Lake Hamana
Lake Hamana

Hamanako Lake Side Plaza Hotel

Situated on the shores of Lake Hamana, this island-style resort is simply outstanding; it's the perfect place for a family getaway. The rooms are simple yet spacious, and almost every room features a sensational panoramic view of the lake and its surroundings.

濱名湖畔廣場飯店 外觀
Hotel exterior

2017 Historical Drama "Naotora: The Lady Warlord"

The heroine of the 2017 historical drama Naotora: The Lady Warlord, Ii Naotora, was the female feudal lord of Iinoya during the Sengoku period. Iinoya is actually modern day Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, home of Lake Hamana! So it’s really no surprise that Hamanako Lake Side Plaza Hotel is currently displaying the helmet of Ii Naotora in their lobby. They are also offering tastings of the local sake named after her, Junmai Ginjo-shu: Ii Naotora. This sake would make a great souvenir, too!

Lobby area, Ii Naotora exhibition area
Lobby area, Ii Naotora exhibition area

Basic information on Hamanako Lake Side Plaza Hotel

Our recommended hotel for families: Hamanako Lake Side Plaza Hotel

Address
200 Mikkabichoshimona, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka
Access
25 mins from JR Hamamatsu Station to Shinjohara Station on the Tokaido Main Line, then 15 mins to Okuhamanako Station on the Tenryu Hamanako Line, and from there it’s a 5-min walk
URL(Japanese)
http://www.h-lsp.com/
Tel
053-524-1311

Photos of Hamanako Lake Side Plaza Hotel in 2017

Lobby area, Ii Naotora exhibition area
Lobby area, Ii Naotora exhibition area
Mochi pounding ceremony
Mochi pounding ceremony
Hotel exterior
Hotel exterior
Hotel exterior
Hotel exterior
Hotel exterior
Hotel exterior
The sun rising over Lake Hamana for the first time in 2017
The sun rising over Lake Hamana for the first time in 2017
The sun rising over Lake Hamana for the first time in 2017
The sun rising over Lake Hamana for the first time in 2017
Akira Kato

Author

Birth place: Tokyo

Akira Kato