What to know
Hamanako (Lake Hamana) is a large lake on the Pacific coast of western Shizuoka Prefecture. Originally a freshwater lake separated from the ocean, it became connected to the sea after an earthquake in 1498, turning its water salty. Most of Hamanako's attractions are centered around Kanzanji Onsen, a hot spring resort on an inlet along the lake's eastern shore.
It wasn't until the late 1950s that Kanzanji Onsen's hot spring was tapped, and a town with various tourist attractions grew around it. Although Kanzanji Onsen lacks the traditional atmosphere of older hot spring towns, it offers a nice selection of baths with lake views. Most baths are in the town's hotels and ryokan, and many are open to day-trippers for a small fee.
Below is a list of some of Kanzanji Onsen's best baths that welcome day visitors: