Hamamatsu Air Park 航空自衛隊浜松広報館

If you're a fan of the world of flight than this is a must-visit museum. The air park provides hours of entertainment with hands-on exhibits of Japanese planes, helicopters, flight simulators and Japan Air Self Defense Force uniforms for guests to try on. All for free.

Buses run from Hamamatsu Station and stop a short walk from the air park.

From JR Hamamatsu Station take the north exit to the bus terminal. Catch the number 51 bus from stand 14 and get off at Izumiyonchome Bus Stop. The ride takes about 25-minutes. The museum is a further 10-minute walk.

A must for plane-spotters, this is both a working air force base and a chance to get up close and personal with a huge variety of aircraft. There are regularly changing exhibitions that allow you to get inside aircraft currently in service, and the permanent collection includes the F-86F used in the original Godzilla movie and the V-107 helicopter used in both King Kong vs. Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Mothra. Making this plane a certified Japanese movie star.

You can inspect a replica of the Japanese Prime Minister's plane or dress up in pilot uniforms and have your picture taken in the cockpits of some exhibits. There is a theatre as well as a flight simulator, though its very popular so make a reservation in advance.