I took a drive around Minobu Town for a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of "Laid-Back Camp" (by Afro, Houbunsha) (Part 2) to wrap up the memorable pilgrimage

I decided to revisit the sacred sites of the popular camping manga and anime "Laid-Back Camp" (by Afro, Houbunsha). While enjoying the accurately depicted scenery, this part focused on visiting souvenir shops and memorable places.

I came to the souvenir shop seeking Yuru Camp△ goods

from Minobu Station towards Minobu Mountain Kuon Temple. I aim to find a store abundant with Yuru Camp△ goods in this area.

Unfortunately, the "Bushuya, a specialty store for shiitake mushrooms and yuba," where many goods are sold, was closed on this day…

Bushuya, a specialty store for shiitake mushrooms and yuba
3850-1 Minobu, Minobu Town, Minami-Koma District, Yamanashi Prefecture

As I go up the street where the store is located, it seems there is a ropeway station for Kuon Temple and Minobu Mountain. Due to scheduling constraints this time, I could only go as far as the store and the mountain gate at the foot, but I would like to try to go further in when I have more time.

The "Michi no Eki Shimobe" appears as you drive along the Honsu Road towards Lake Motosu from Minobu. There are many goods for sale here, and luxurious exhibits are also held. With a restaurant and a campsite available, I thought it would be a perfect spot to aim for either accommodation or dining.

Michi no Eki Shimobe
Yamanashi Prefecture, Minobu Town, Koseki 4321

From the spin-off Shimo Onsen to the restrooms at Lake Motosu

I came to Shimo Onsen to wrap up my Minobu area tour. Shimo Onsen is a spot featured in the spin-off "Heya Camp △," and I have covered Shimo Onsen in another article as well. It is a hot spring area known as "the hidden hot spring of Takeda Shingen," where Takeda Shingen and his soldiers are said to have come to heal their wounds.

I liked that it retains the atmosphere of the Showa era and is quiet, lacking the liveliness of places like Atami. It gives off a perfect impression for solo travelers.

Shimo Onsen Station
Yamanashi Prefecture, Minobu Town, Kamino Hirai

The road to Lake Motosu, known as "Kōshu Irohazaka," has become a famous spot for autumn leaves. As you pass through numerous corners, the view from the high elevation unfolds, and before you know it, you realize you've arrived at the top of the mountain. In an episode of Laid-Back Camp△, there is a scene where they camp at the Fuji Five Lakes in midwinter without sufficient winter preparation and are shivering from the cold, but Lake Motosu exists in a highland area at an elevation of about 900m.

While it gives the image of a tranquil tourist destination overflowing with visitors, it might not be widely known that the environment has quite a significant elevation difference.

By the way, among the Fuji Five Lakes, the highest elevation is Lake Yamanakako at about 980m, ranking as the third highest lake in Japan. I remember when I camped at Lake Yamanakako, I gave up on setting up a tarp due to the strong winds.

Upon passing through the Nakokura Tunnel, Lake Motosu and Mount Fuji come into view. There is also a pilgrimage spot here, but it seems a tourist bus has arrived, and the narrow parking lot was extremely congested...

The images taken previously show a public toilet where the protagonist Nadeshiko and Rin met in the first episode, located near Kōan Campground close to the Nakokura Tunnel. This place is very famous among fans. Curiously, the place where the story begins will also be the conclusion of this trip.

Public Toilet
2926 Nakano-kura, Minobu Town, Minami-Koma District, Yamanashi Prefecture

I'm glad I went on a pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites

What I felt after experiencing the pilgrimage this time was that the anime faithfully depicts the local scenery. It seems easier for fans who visit the location to have a re-experience, and since the shops were welcoming, likely due to the increase in tourists, I realized that this has developed a very good relationship as a community revitalization effort. Although it's a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of a famous work, I thought it was definitely worthwhile to go again.

Text and Research / Kazuma Tanaka

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