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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Kosai
湖西市
Kosai is a half-day stop for the Arai checkpoint and Honkō-ji temple, not a base. One night if you want boat races or a quiet lake-side evening.
Kosai sits on the shore of Lake Hamana in western Shizuoka, best known for the Arai Sekisho — the only surviving original checkpoint building from the Tokaido highway. The city also holds Honkō-ji temple with a National Important Cultural Property hall. Most travellers pass through on the way to Hamamatsu or beyond; a few hours are enough unless you stay for the boat races.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 湖西市
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot and humid)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥6,000–9,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥9,000–15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ¥300–500 |
| Unagi (eel) set meal | ¥2,000–4,000 |
| Beer: draught / can at a konbini | ¥500–700 / ¥250–350 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi | ¥2,000–2,500 |
| JR Kosai–Hamamatsu one way | ¥300 (check) |
| Arai Sekisho entry | ¥300 |
| Honkō-ji entry | ¥300 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NGO · Chubu Centrair
- About 1 h 15 min by car or bus; check train connections via Hamamatsu
- FSZ · Shizuoka Airport
- About 1 h 30 min by car; limited public transport
Typical fares
- Kosai Station → Arai Sekisho
- about ¥1,500–2,000 by taxi, 10 min (check)
- Kosai Station → Hamamatsu Station
- about ¥300 by JR, 15 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
JR Tokaido Line connects Kosai Station to Hamamatsu (about 15 min) and Toyohashi. Buses are infrequent; a car is best for the lake shore and boat race venue. Taxis are available at the station.
See and do
Known for
- Arai Sekisho (Edo-period checkpoint)
- Honkō-ji temple
- Hamanako Boat Races
- Lake Hamana
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hamamatsu | JR Tokaido Line from Kosai Station, about 15 min | About 30 min |
| Iwata | JR Tokaido Line, about 10 min | About 25 min |
| Kakegawa | JR Tokaido Line, about 30 min | About 45 min |
Sleep
- Near JR Kosai Station
- Convenient for trains; a few business hotels and minshuku.
- Lake Hamana shore
- Ryokan and guesthouses with lake views; requires a car or taxi.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
| Where is the checkpoint? | 関所はどこですか？sekisho wa doko desu ka |
| Can I pay by card? | カードで払えますか？kādo de haraemasu ka |
| Where is the toilet? | トイレはどこですか？toire wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Arai Sekisho closes at 16:30; arrive by 15:00 to see both the checkpoint and archives.
- Boat races have their own schedule; check the official site before going.
- English signage is limited outside the checkpoint and temple.
Kosai is a quiet, safe city. The main risk is limited English and sparse public transport after dark; plan your return to the station.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kosai yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Arai Sekisho (Edo-period checkpoint)
- Honkō-ji temple
- Hamanako Boat Races
- Lake Hamana
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kosai city official website: www.city.kosai.shizuoka.jp/
- Hamanako Kosai tourist association: hamanako-kosai.jp/
- Wikivoyage: Kosai, revision 5239632 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239632
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kosai). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.