What is the Tenryū-Hamanako Line, a local railway running through Japan’s pristine landscapes?
The Tenryū-Hamanako Line, running primarily through Hamamatsu City in western Shizuoka Prefecture,
is a local railway connecting Kakegawa Station in Hamamatsu City’s Kita Ward to Shinshohara Station over 67.7 km.
This line was originally built as the “old route” of the Tōkaidō Line connecting Tokyo and Osaka.
It now operates as a regional railway known as a “third-sector railway,”
serving as a vital local transportation link while also attracting tourists as a nostalgic Japanese rail journey.
The route is lined with tea fields, farmland, wooden station buildings, and the blue waters of Lake Hamana.
Every view feels like a scene from a movie.
As a rare railway offering a glimpse of “Showa-era Japan” away from the urban hustle, it has also gained attention from international travelers.
A relaxing one-hour journey. The “Four Seasons of Japan” seen from the train window.
The charm of the Tenryu-Hamana Lake Line lies above all in the ever-changing seasonal views unfolding from the train window.
In spring, rows of cherry blossoms lining the tracks fill the train windows.
Early summer brings the vivid contrast of fresh greenery and tea fields.
Autumn sees golden rice stalks swaying in the breeze, while winter’s crisp air sometimes reveals the silhouette of Mount Fuji in the distance.
The particularly popular section runs between Tenryu-Futamata Station and Hamanako-Sakume Station.
The train slowly traverses the shores of Lake Hamanako, and the moment the train reflects on the blue lake surface is a famous spot where many people raise their cameras.
Also, the sight of “Yurikamome (Seagulls)” gathering on the platform at Sakume Station in winter is famous.
Photos capturing the train and seagulls together have been featured in overseas media as a quintessential “Japanese winter scene.”
Photo courtesy of Hamamatsu-Hamanako Tourism View
A roughly one-hour ride allows you to savor a quiet “journey through time” that lets you forget the hustle and bustle of daily life.
A must-see for railway lovers! Wooden station buildings and turntables that retain the atmosphere of the Showa era
Another highlight of the Tenryū-Hamanako Line is its old-fashioned station buildings and railway facilities.
Tenryū-Futamata Station is considered a “sacred site” among railway enthusiasts.
Here, a wooden station building constructed in the 1930s and a turntable (a device for changing train’s direction) still exists and are actively used today. This facility is designated as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property, a precious heritage site conveying Japan’s railway history to the present day.
The station grounds also feature an old engine shed and a museum.
Guided tours with English-speaking guides are available (reservation required).
From children eager to learn about railway mechanics to adults seeking a nostalgic glimpse of the past,
There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Recommended tourist spots along the line to stop at during your journey
One of the charms of the Tenryu-Hamanako Line is being able to hop off and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Trains run about once an hour, but this relaxed pace gives your journey a sense of calm.
Hamanako-Sakume Station
A station offering close-up views of Lake Hamanako. Famous for its winter flock of seagulls.
Nearby attractions include the “Lake Hamanako Sightseeing Boat” and “Lake Hamanako Garden Park,” perfect for lakeside strolls.
Fruit Park Station
Just a short walk to Hamamatsu Fruit Park Tokinosumika.
Popular with families for seasonal fruit picking and light-up events.
Kiga Station
Characterized by its historic gate-style station building. Nearby are the Kiga Checkpoint Ruins and the Taiga Drama Museum,
where you can learn about checkpoint culture from the Tokugawa Ieyasu era.
Access and Boarding Tips
The Tenryu-Hamanako Line can be boarded from either the Tokaido Shinkansen’s “Kakegawa Station” or “Shin-Tokorozawa Station”.
Both offer easy access from Tokyo and Nagoya, making them ideal for day trips.
Operating Section: Kakegawa Station ~ Shin-Tokorozawa Station (39 stations total)
Travel Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Fare: Approximately ¥1,500 for adults for the entire line (IC cards accepted)
Tickets: The “Tenhama Line 1-Day Free Pass” for unlimited rides is also available.
Additionally, stations and trains sell boxed lunches featuring local specialties
and original goods designed by local students.
These items are popular as perfect souvenirs for your rail journey.
The “Japanese atmosphere” felt at the end of a journey
The journey along the Tenryu-Hamanako Line is neither flashy nor fast.
Yet, as you take in the rural scenery flowing past the window, the smiles of locals you pass,
and the warmth of old wooden station buildings,
you realize, “There is such rich time in Japan’s countryside.”
It is a “landscape of the heart” visible precisely because you are not rushing.
The Tenryu-Hamanako Line is a railway for resting your soul.
If you visit Shizuoka, we urge you to surrender yourself to this local line at least once.
The breeze, light, and kindness of Hamamatsu will quietly color your journey.
