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Despite its relatively modest size, Hamamatsu is home to several leading global companies. Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, and Hamamatsu Photonics were all founded here and have grown into internationally recognized brands. In 2014, Hamamatsu further distinguished itself by joining UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network as a City of Music, celebrated for its rich musical heritage and innovation in sound.
How did Hamamatsu become a hub for the music industry, and what does the city offer to international entrepreneurs today? In this article, we will explore Hamamatsu’s musical instrument and sound technology industries and the opportunities they present for entrepreneurs.
Located on Japan’s Pacific coast, Hamamatsu is a city that merges natural beauty, rich history, and a strong industrial base. Situated roughly halfway between Tokyo and Osaka, Hamamatsu enjoys a prime geographical position that offers both accessibility and a scenic backdrop of coastal and mountainous landscapes. The city’s unique natural environment supports industries and enriches the lives of locals and visitors alike.
Hamamatsu’s history dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868), when it was a significant stop along the Tōkaidō, the main route between Tokyo and Kyoto. Hamamatsu Castle, one of the city’s main historical landmarks today, was constructed by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who later became one of Japan’s most influential shoguns. Today, the castle and its surrounding park draw visitors for their seasonal beauty, especially in spring, as well as the insights they offer into Japan’s feudal history. This mix of historical charm and cultural significance makes Hamamatsu a city where tradition and progress coexist.
In addition to its historical sites, Hamamatsu’s natural attractions offer diverse recreational activities. Lake Hamana, one of Japan’s largest lakes, is known for its scenic beauty and the eels that are caught there and served as a local delicacy. The lake is also a popular leisure destination, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and hot spring bathing. The nearby Tenryu River flows down from the Japanese Alps, offering beautiful vistas and, for the more adventurous, river rafting courses. For those who enjoy mountain landscapes, the northern reaches of Hamamatsu extend into the Japanese Alps, where hiking trails and campsites offer stunning views of forests and waterfalls.
Hamamatsu is also known for its unique multicultural atmosphere. With a population of around 800,000, the city is home to one of Japan’s largest Brazilian communities, numbering approximately 10,000—a legacy of industrial immigration.This diversity is celebrated through events like the annual Samba Festival, which showcases Brazilian music, dance, and cuisine. Hamamatsu’s multicultural appeal is further supported by initiatives such as the Hamamatsu Intercultural Center, which offers language support and cultural resources, helping international residents and visitors feel at home. The city’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity has created a community that is both welcoming and conducive to international business.
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Hamamatsu is home to Yamaha, Kawai, and Roland—three companies that command significant global market share in the musical instruments sector. Hamamatsu’s success in this industry is not accidental; it owes a great deal to the area’s high-quality wood resources, historical development, and traditional craftsmanship. Today, Hamamatsu is making strategic investments to support the next generation of sound-related industries, which will be elaborated on later. From start-ups to established brands, the city provides an ecosystem for innovation in sound-based technology.
How did Hamamatsu come to host these global giants? Beyond the founders' talents and entrepreneurship, Hamamatsu’s transformation into a center for musical instruments stems from its access to natural resources and its deep tradition of craftsmanship. Located near the Tenryu River and the forests of the Japanese Alps, the city had abundant high-quality wood, essential for building instruments like pianos. This timber could be transported down the Tenryu River, facilitating large-scale production.
Hamamatsu’s unique climate also played a role. The region’s characteristic strong winds and low humidity naturally dried the wood to the optimal moisture level for musical instruments. This process, combined with the expertise of local woodworkers, created ideal conditions for piano manufacturing.
Beyond its resources, Hamamatsu has a strong cultural legacy of craftsmanship. The tradition of woodworking and handcrafting skills, passed down through generations, is integral to the city’s industry. This artisanal expertise allowed companies like Yamaha and Kawai to create pianos with precise soundboards and durable construction, elevating Japanese instruments to international acclaim. Over the years, Hamamatsu’s craftsmen adapted these traditional techniques to modern methods, blending hands-on skill with industrial processes to ensure consistency and quality at scale.
Now, let’s look at each of these globally successful companies in turn.
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Yamaha’s story began in 1887 when Torakusu Yamaha, a local watchmaker, successfully repaired a reed organ. Recognizing an opportunity to branch out into instrument production, he founded Nippon Gakki, which evolved into Yamaha Corporation. Yamaha quickly expanded from reed organs to a wide array of musical instruments, including pianos, wind instruments, and eventually, synthesizers and audio equipment. This laid the groundwork for Yamaha’s global expansion.
Yamaha’s growth has been driven by its commitment to research and development. In 2024, Yamaha invested over ¥26 billion in R&D, aiming to lead advancements in sound and music technology. In the 1980s, Yamaha revolutionized the industry with the DX7 synthesizer, the first widely-used synthesizer to implement FM synthesis, creating new sonic possibilities that have since become iconic in pop, rock, and electronic music. Selling over 200,000 units, the DX7 helped Yamaha gain a strong foothold in both consumer and professional markets worldwide.
Beyond innovation, Yamaha has built a robust presence in music education. The Yamaha Music School has over 190,000 students across 40 countries. This approach not only fosters musicianship but also strengthens brand loyalty, as young musicians often continue to use Yamaha instruments into their professional careers. Yamaha’s extensive network of partnerships with universities and conservatories around the world has further solidified its reputation as a brand synonymous with quality, reliability, and education.
Furthermore, Yamaha’s success is significantly bolstered by its diversified business portfolio, which extends beyond musical instruments to include sectors like motorcycles and marine products. This diversification not only enhances Yamaha's financial stability but also fosters cross-industry innovation.
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Kawai was founded in 1927 by Koichi Kawai, a former apprentice of Torakusu Yamaha with a vision to create pianos that would surpass existing standards of durability and sound quality. From the start, Kawai focused on technical innovation, and his developments in piano action components laid the foundation for modern Japanese piano manufacturing.
One of Kawai’s hallmark innovations is the use of ABS-Carbon in their piano action components, a material that provides greater stability than wood. This choice has helped Kawai pianos maintain consistent performance even in varying climates, making them a favorite in diverse settings worldwide, from professional studios to educational institutions.
Kawai’s hybrid pianos combine traditional acoustic resonance with the versatility of digital sound. This innovation caters to urban musicians and educators who seek high-quality sound without the logistical challenges of a full acoustic piano. Kawai has a solid global presence, particularly in North America and Europe, where it has formed partnerships with educational institutions, reinforcing its brand as a trusted name in piano craftsmanship. With its instruments now available in over 80 countries, Kawai’s emphasis on quality and education continues to attract musicians worldwide.
Founded in 1972 by visionary Ikutaro Kakehashi, Roland set out to transform music through groundbreaking electronic technology. One of Roland’s earliest and most influential contributions was the TR-808 drum machine, released in the 1980s. Although initially a commercial disappointment, the TR-808’s deep bass and distinctive sound eventually made it iconic in hip-hop, electronic, and pop music. Its unique resonance has since made it one of the most sampled sounds in music history, turning it into a collector’s item and cementing its status as a key tool for music producers worldwide.
Roland’s impact on electronic music production didn’t stop there. The company went on to release V-Drums, an innovative series of digital drum kits praised for their authentic, dynamic sound and realistic feel. These digital kits quickly became a favorite among drummers and producers, bridging the gap between acoustic and electronic percussion in studio settings. Roland was also one of the first companies to adopt MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology, allowing its instruments to integrate seamlessly with recording software and creating an interconnected digital production environment. This MIDI integration positioned Roland as a leader in music production tools, providing producers with unmatched flexibility in composition and sound design.
In 2024, Roland launched Roland Future Design Lab in the U.S., an R&D group dedicated to exploring the future of music creation through technologies like AI, virtual reality, and low-latency wireless connections. Led by Senior Vice President Paul McCabe, the lab will prototype new music experiences and draw insights from global music creators. Strategic partnerships, including one with Universal Music Group on initiatives like AI For Music, will help drive innovation. CEO Masahiro Minowa emphasized that Roland’s mantra, “We Design The Future,” guides this lab’s mission to keep Roland at the cutting edge of music technology.
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We’ve reviewed the foundations and importance of the Hamamatsu music technology industry’s three major players. Now, we’ll explore the opportunities that Hamamatsu offers to international entrepreneurs looking to enter Japan’s sound and music industry, as well as other fields. To do so, we will cover three events from the recent past that illustrate the opportunities available for entrepreneurs to secure funding, collaborate, and network.
https://yamaha.01booster.com/en/
Yamaha’s Corporate Accelerator Program, launched in collaboration with accelerator 01Booster, was designed to drive forward innovative projects in music, network devices, entertainment, and more. The program invited passionate entrepreneurs and innovators to engage in co-creation opportunities, starting with an information and networking session. Selected participants received incubation support through a Business Plan Contest, focusing on developing projects that leveraged Yamaha’s expertise and brand strength to create impactful new ventures. This program emphasized Yamaha’s vision to make life “more interesting and exciting” by merging technology with sensory experiences.
https://www.creative-hamamatsu.jp/projects/sdf2021/
Having gathered musicians, investors, and entrepreneurs to discuss innovations in music technology, the Hamamatsu Sound Design Festival ****offered a platform for start-ups to showcase their products, get feedback, and connect with industry stakeholders, including international investors. This event not only strengthened Hamamatsu’s position as a hub for music innovation but also facilitated valuable networking opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to expand their reach.
https://www.yamaha.com/ja/news_release/2023/23072701/
Yamaha organized a pitch contest as part of the TECH BEAT Shizuoka 2023 event held in Shizuoka. This contest was aimed at promoting business connections between local companies in Shizuoka and start-ups primarily from the Tokyo area. Yamaha’s booth featured an interactive AI-powered piano exhibit, which allowed users to play the piano alongside members of the Fujisan Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra using just a single finger. Reflecting Yamaha's mission to "Make Waves,” the contest aligned with the company’s commitment to fostering innovation through technology and music. Winning start-ups from the pitch contest were set to collaborate with Yamaha on value testing and development projects.
Hamamatsu’s sound industry shows how a city’s dedication to tradition and innovation can create a local industry with global influence. With Yamaha, Kawai, and Roland as pillars of quality and adaptability, Hamamatsu has become a hub for music technology. For entrepreneurs and investors, Hamamatsu offers not only access to Japan’s sound industry but also an ecosystem that encourages collaboration. Moreover, the city’s multicultural atmosphere, expatriate community, and support systems for international businesses make it a uniquely attractive destination for those looking to make their mark in Japan.
In the following article, we will explore Hamamatsu further from an entrepreneurial perspective.
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