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| With world-famous manufacturers such as Suzuki,
Yamaha, Kawai, Honda and Toyota originating in the Greater Hamamatsu
area, Hamamatsu is one of Japan's industrial centers. The musical
instrument, motorcycle, textile, and optical industries are particularly
important. Hamamatsu is the "birth place of the television"
in Japan. The city is also well-known as the "city of music",
hosting a number of international musical events, such as "The
Hamamatsu International Piano Competition", which is a gateway
to the top level for musicians. |
| ”Heroes Behind Hamamatsu's
Industries |
 Koichi
Kawai
(1886 - 1955)
Hamamatsu-born Kawai became an apprentice to Torakusu
Yamaha at the young age of eleven. The piano mechanism
which Kawai helped design contributed greatly to the birth
of the first piano made in Japan. He invented many mechanisms,
such as the stop device for the organ, and was nicknamed
"Koichi, the inventor". Kawai Gakki Kenkyujo,
which was established in 1927, became Kawai Musical Instruments
Mfg. Co., Ltd. in 1929, which has received over 20 patents
on inventions like new types of mechanism and soundboard.
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 Michio
Suzuki
(1887 - 1982)
After the establishment of Suzuki Loom Works in Hamamatsu
City in 1909, Suzuki kept expanding his business and,
in 1929, invented a new type of weaving machine, which
was exported overseas. Michio Suzuki filed as many as
120 patents and utility model rights. He started on a
protocol of an automobile in 1939 and laid the foundation
of SUZUKI, the car maker, by releasing the Colleda motorcycle
and a light-weight car called the Suzulight.
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 Soichiro
Honda
(1906 - 1991)
The founder of HONDA is a pioneer of Hamamatsu as "the
city of motorcycles". Born in Tenryu City just north
of Hamamatsu, Honda learned auto-repair skills in Tokyo
before opening the Hamamatsu branch of Ahto Shokai. In
1946, he established HONDA Motor Co., Ltd. and developed
the motorcycle widely known by the name of "Pon-Pon".
Honda's extraordinary ideas kept laying new paths for
the company, making HONDA the world's leading motorcycle/automotive
manufacturer. |
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 Torakusu
Yamaha
(1851 - 1916)
In 1884, Yamaha first repaired an organ in an elementary
school while still working as a repair engineer for medical
equipment. He became fascinated by the organ and started
developing them himself. After painstaking effort, Yamaha
finally built his first reed organ, which was highly praised
by experts in the field. In 1888, he established "Yamaha
Fukin Seizoujo", which later became YAMAHA, the world's
leading musical instrument maker. Torakusu Yamaha laid
the foundation of the musical instrument industry in the
Hamamatsu area. |
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 Kenjiro
Takayanagi
(1899 - 1990)
Born in Hamamatsu City. After becoming an assistant professor
of engineering at what is now Shizuoka University in 1924,
Takayanagi dedicated himself to the development of the
television. After repeated mistakes, he successfully completed
the first all-electronic TV system in the world. Takayanagi
also succeeded in inventing the first domestic TV set,
establishing the foundation of modern television. The
growth of the optical technological industry in Hamamatsu
is largely thanks to Takayanagi and his research. |
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 Sakichi
Toyoda
(1867 - 1930)
Born in Kosai City on the western shore of Lake Hamana
opposite from Hamamatsu, Sakichi Toyoda first invented
a man-powered wooden weaving machine in 1890 and many
weaving machines after that. Through his inventions, he
contributed greatly to the growth of the textile and machine
industries. Toyoda's determination expanded from the invention
of weaving machines to the development of Japanese industries
such as the automotive industry. TOYOTA Motor Corp. was
later established by his son, Kiichiro. |
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| Musical Instruments |
Textiles |
Opt Electronics |
Motorcycles |
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| The first Japan-made piano was made in
Hamamatsu. Having the headquarters of YAMAHA and KAWAII, both of which
are the world's leading instrument manufacturers, Hamamatsu boasts
a 100% share of domestic piano production. |
The textile industry in Hamamatsu has
been growing since the late 1800's. Hamamatsu is also famous for its
cotton fabrics and dyeing of yukata fabrics. |
The high-tech industry in Hamamatsu related
to optical and electronic technologies is showing a remarkable development.
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., which manufactured the photomultiplier tube
used by the 2002 Nobel Prize winner in physics, Dr. Koshiba, is just
one of many research and development companies in Hamamatsu. |
Hamamatsu is the birthplace of the motorcycle
in Japan. Three of the world biggest makers - Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki
- have their roots in Hamamatsu, and as they continue their push into
global markets, the number of smaller companies with advanced technologies
have been growing, consolidating the foundation of Hamamatsu as a
high-tech city. |
 Suzuki Musical Instrument Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Manufactures harmonicas, melodions and Taisho harps and produces
videos to introduce the melodion. Visitors can watch
the manufacturing process.
(10:00-15:00, M-F; reservation required)
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Shizuoka Filter Fabric Co., Ltd.
Techniques used to make fish nets for catching small fish in Lake
Hamana are used to manufacture towels made from Japanese paper and
stage costumes for Kohaku, an annual music show televised by NHK
on New Year's Eve.
Factory tours provide visitors with the opportunity to observe
the manufacturing process from start to finish.
(9:00-17:00, please inquire for details)
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Tenjingura Hamamatsu Brewery Co., Ltd.
We brew rice wine made with water drawn from the Tenryu River
and choice rice. Our brewers put their unique skill and passion
into each product. Our beer is also popular, and we have gift
shop, gallery and restaurant facilities for visitors to enjoy.
(10:30-16:00, closed on Tuesdays)
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Hananomai Brewery Co., Ltd.
Take a tour of the manufacturing process and see the difference the
finest rice, water and chief brewer make. We make everything from rice
wine to shochu and liquor.
(10:00-16:00, reservation required)
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Honda Motor Hamamatsu Plant
The Hamamatsu Plant is located in the area where Honda Motors was
born and carries on the proud tradition. Take a tour of the facilities
and watch engines being assembled on a cutting edge production line
that manufactures roughly 40 different mid- to large-sized motorcycles.
(9:30-15:00, M-F; reservation required)
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Yamaha Corporation Grand Piano Plant Visitor Center
Come and watch the grand piano manufacturing process at the
plant of the #1 piano manufacturer in the world which is also
Japan's oldest manufacturer. There is also a showroom where
visitors can learn about Yamaha's history and major products.
(10:30, 13:30, 15:00, M-F; reservation required)
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Unagi Pie Factory
Unagi pies are famous all over Japan. Watch the manufacturing
process and enjoy Shunkado sweets at the cafe or buy them at
the gift shop.
(10:00:00-17:00, non-regular holiday schedule)
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Tour commercial flower farms and pick flowers
Watch as sweet pea and statice flowers are picked and learn about
the work involved in growing them and how they are shipped out.
You can also visit the greenhouse to pick gerbera daisies, for which
Hamamatsu boasts of the largest production volume in Japan.
(Seasonal; tours require advance registration)
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| ”Hamamatsu, the City of Music |
 Hamamatsu
International Piano Competition
This competition is a stepping stone to the world
for young pianists from Japan and around the world. Since the first
competition in 1991, this prestigious competition is held once every
three years, attracting talents from all over the world each time.
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 Promenade
Concerts
Local school bands and corporate marching bands
regularly hold concerts in front of JR Hamamatsu Station. Citizens
and visitors alike enjoy the live performances of these skilled bands. |
 Hamanako
Orgel Museum
70 pieces on display include large music boxes,
antique music boxes, and automatic musical instruments. You can even
learn about the roots of music boxes during a short concert. There
is also a hands-on studio and a music box store.
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 Hamamatsu
Museum of Musical Instruments
The first public museum of its kind in Japan.
Approximately 1200 pieces on display include ancient instruments and
restored instruments from different parts of the world as well as
Japanese traditional instruments. Visitors can listen to the sound
of the instrument through the headsets or actually try playing. |
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