Kosai (Japanese: 湖西市) is a city in Shizuoka, Japan.

Understand

Tourist information site

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.

See

• 1 Arai Sekisho and Hatago-Kinokuniya Archives (新井関所), Arai-chō Hamana-gun Arai 1227-5 (across the lake from Bentenjima), ☏ +81 53 594-3615. Tu-Su 09:00-16:30. This important travel checkpoint on the Tokaido highway was established in 1600 by Ieyasu Tokugawa, and is the only surviving original building of such a checkpoint. The checkpoint enforced strict regulations to keep guns out of Totomi precinct, and to keep women in. The archives hall next door contains old checkpoint records. Adults ¥300, children ¥100, add ¥100/50 to enter the archives as well. 

• 2 Honkō-ji Temple (本興寺), Washizu 384 (across the lake from Bentenjima), ☏ +81 53 576-0054. The main hall is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. There is also a park here, a nice place to picnic. ¥300, children ¥200. 

Do

• 1 Hamanako Boat Races (浜名湖競艇場, Hamanako Kyōteiba), Arai-chō Nakanogō 3727-7 (just across the bridge from Bentenjima), ☏ +81 53 594-7111. One of Japan's only venues to watch boat racing. 

Go next

• Hamamatsu
• Toyohashi
• Toyokawa
• Iwata
• Mori
• Fukuroi
• Kakegawa
• Kikugawa
• Shinshiro