Hamamatsu Transportation

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Entetsu Line in short. This railway, 17.8 kilometers in length, starts from Shinhamamatsu station three minutes walk from the north exit of JR Hamamatsu station. At Nishikajima station the end of the line, you can change trains to Enshu Hamanako Line and there are some bus services to the northern areas of Hamamatsu. There are eight unmanned stations along the line including Gansuiji station the closest station to Gansuiji temple and Prefectural Forest Park. I do not think this line could be of much use for tourists because this line runs far from Hamamatsu Castle Park. This commuter line, however, could be usable if you would like to visit Yamaha, Futamata area or Akiha Shrine.

**From JR Hamamatsu station, turn left at the sign near the north exit and walk through the nearby building and you will find a small station. You can buy ticket in English. If you get off at unmanned station hand the ticket to the train conductor.

Transportation within the city is good, reliable and punctual bus service and easy availability of taxis.

Hamamatsu is a stop on the Shinkansen bullet train line, which takes approximately 90 minutes to Tokyo.... in one direction ...and 90 minutes to Osaka in the other.

From Nagoya Airport (NGO):
Take a Bus or taxi to Nagoya Station for the bullet train to Hamamatsu Station - 90 minutes
From Nagoya Station:
Hikari Express on the Tokaido Line - approximately 35 minutes
Kodama Express on the Tokaido Line - approximately 50 minutes


From Narita Airport (NRT):
Train or bus to Tokyo Station for the bullet train to Hamamatsu - 3 hours
From Tokyo Station:
Hikari Express on the Tokaido Line - approximately 90 minute
Kodama Express on the Tokaido Line - approximately 2 hours

From Kansai Airport (KIX):
JR Haruka Limited Express to Shin-Osaka Station for the bullet train to Hamamatsu - approximately 3 hours
From Osaka Station:
Hikari Express on the Tokaido Line - approximately 90 minutes
Kodama Express on the Tokaido Line - approximately 2 hours

JR Haruka Limited Express to Kyoto Station for the bullet train to Hamamatsu - approximately 3 hours

The public transportation in and around Hamamatsu is very convenient and efficient. It's run by the local company Entetsu. There are two types of local transportation in Hamamatsu: buses and a train line. The buses go as far north as Hama-Kita, and east as Iwata. The lone "red train line" runs from Shin-Hamamatsu station to Nishigaoka station (in Tenryu).
If you plan on using public transportation in Hamamatsu, then I would advise you to purchase an ET Card. It can be purchased from the main bus terminal (at Hamamatsu station), at any of the "red train" stations, or at a discount shop. ET Cards can be used on any Entetsu line, bus or train. As an enticement, Entetsu offers free, additional "points" when you purchase a card. The points are deducted from the card each time you get off of the bus or purchase a red train ticket. One point is equivalent to one yen. For obvious reasons, ET Cards cannot be refunded or cashed in.

The price and amount of points you receive are as follows:
1000 yen = 1100 points
2000 yen = 2200 points
3000 yen = 3300 points
5000 yen = 5500 points
8000 yen = 9000 points

These cards are good *indefinitely*. Use them now; use them next year. It will still be valid.
I always purchase the 9000 point card.