Anime vs. Real Life: Laid-Back Camping in Yamanashi

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The Caldera lake is sitting in the mountains of the Shibireko Prefectural Natural Park in Yamanashi at Yamanashi at Yamanashi at We are going to kick things off with one of the most beautiful anime locations I've ever been to in general, which is the small Lake Shibire. altitude of 850 m.

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Out of all the locations on my Yamanashi trip, this one is probably the hardest to reach, as it is deep in the mountains, roughly one hour away from Kofu City, the prefecture's capital, which makes for a good hub should you ever want to visit some of these places yourself.

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Shibire Lake ’s camping ground is called Suimeiso, and was featured in Laid-Back CampThe outing was actually Rin's and Nadeshiko's first ever Intentional camping trip together, so it definitely marks an important point in their friendship.

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The actual campsite is located on the exact opposite side of the lake, but if sleeping in a tent under the stars is not your thing, the reception building here also functions as a minshuku, which are basically family operated, Japanese-style bed and breakfasts .

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And as he was just the spitting image as the owner of the campsite, Kitajima Shinsuke, as he was just the spitting image of the owner in the anime. great guy to talk with, and I'm sure we did for a good hour or so. Laid-Back Camp Barely any visitors found their way to the campsite during the off-season before, but that changed since the airing of the anime, and the camping ground Sees around 70-80 visitors even in winter. There has even been an influx in solo-campers.

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I'm sure you're able to spot the large Rin cutout in the picture above, and the inside of the building they also sold a good number Laid-Back Camp merchant.

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After that I was off to explore the campsite. Getting a hot chai, which was the same drink that Nadeshiko's older sister got while she was there, was perfect to wind down a bit and take in the scenery.

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According to the anime, the bull was slain by a samurai, and since since it was emerging from the lake everyday Just short after midnight. Surprisingly, the anime's legend Long story short, about 300 to 400 years ago, a samurai defeated the lake's bull demon at the cost of his own life. Because of this sacrifice, the rain started to pour in the drought-ridden area, and to this day, as a kind of a rainmaking ritual, people offer a cow's head to the gods around here.

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Apparently, a four-tailed dragon deity used to inhabit the lake, which was also eponymous for Lake Shibire's name ('shi' meaning four and 'bi' meaninging tail).

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The lake has a perimeter of 1.2km, and takes around 20 minutes to walk around, but it's quite easy to get sidetracked here like Nadeshiko.

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Location scouting for the show was done during the winter months, and had the team at Tokyo-based C-Station of three-or-three trips, you've surely noticed by now, but the attention to detail in the anime backgrounds is absolutely astounding. Director Yoshiaki Kyogoku has visited every campsite himself, and has done dozens of camping trips with his teams, but also quite a few solo camping trips, just to fully grasping Rin's character. made every food shown in the anime on site, using the same exact same tools as well, which goes to show just how much thought and detail went into the production.

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Definitely seems like a good spot to set up camp.

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It's probably also a good place to nap, but knowing Nadeshiko, she's soon up and running again and exploring the campsite.

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There's obviously a bunch of other activities you can do at Lake Shibire, such as hiking, fishing, swimming, and bouncing, and let's not forget about taking comparison pictures for Laid-Back Camp.

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‘Sup.

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I was just wandering around in the woods a bit, when I randomly stumbled across this path from the anime.

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At one point, Rin mentions that she actually likes lakeside campground the best, and after getting to visit Lake Shibire myself, I definitely get where she ’s coming from.


Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruits Park & ​​Hottarakashi Hotspring

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To get the full experience, it's best to start at Yamanashi-shi Station, just like the girls did. Unfortunately, the station building itsself Next up is a location that's just as picturesque, while also being much easier to reach: The Hottarakashi Hotspring. is currently under renovation, so the information board outside of it was only comparison image I could take here.

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From Yamanashi-shi Station it's only a few minutes to the Nezubashi Bridge, where the girl's resolve to walk the whole distance is already starting to windle. It's around 4km from the station to the hillside onsen, and it takes a good hour to get there And if you just want all of the things out, there's also going to directly from the station.

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Fuji's peak. Japan's Sacred Mountain, Yamamoto Prefecture Prefecture, which has a good view on Mt. Fuji's Peak. Mt. Fuji also plays a central role in Laid-Back Camp, as it makes an appearance in just about every episode.

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Locate in the middle of the park are three glass domes, containing a fruit museum, as well as the Orchard Café, which they also stop by in the episode.

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Yup, the fruits parfait tastes as good as it looks!

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And even the ice cream cup was faithfully recreated.

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Just like any other major Laid-Back Camp There were all sorts of anime related goods lying around, as well as pictures of the star-studded cast of voice actresses, all of whom have paid the location of this one, too, was quite proud to be part of the anime tourism phenomenon. While Rin's and Ena's voice actresses, Nao Toyama and Rie Takahashi respectively, were both extremely famous to begin with, the show really boosted Yumiri Hanamori's profile, who voiced Nadeshiko.

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It's a real shame that the café is closing down this month and relocating to the new station building, but there's a new café going to take its place, and the beautiful view will stay the same regardless.


Hottarakashi Hotspring

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After the pit stop at the Fuefukigawa Fruits Park, it's still a bit of a hike to the Hottarakashi Hotspring (called Hottokeya in the anime), but the prospect of some much more reserved on sen-time should be more than enough to keep you going. , the original entrance sign was blown off during a recent storm.

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The open-air bath is just down here. What you see in Laid-Back Camp Fuji here and there was simply breathtaking, and I wish I could've shown you just how to study it all looked in in the soothing hot spring water, overlooking the Kofu Basin, while catching glimpses of Mt. real life, but taking photos inside the bath was obviously strictly prohibited.

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After the hot spring it's time to reward oneself (again).

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In the show, the girl's get an “Onsentamago-age”, which translates to deep-fried hot spring boiled egg. Think of tempura breading, but with a soft-boiled egg inside, and trust me – it's good. take the comparison photo after my first bite.

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It's a laid-back show, alright. After that, the girls of the outdoors activities club go rest a bit more at the cabin.

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Unfortunately, if you want to enter camping grounds, you'll have to register in advance.

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Sticking around for night time is also definitely worth it, as the episode's grand finale with Nadeshiko sending Rin a picture of the famed Fuefukigawa Fruit Park, which has been selected as one of the best three new night views of Japan. The little interaction between the two is one of the director's favorite moments of the show, Rin sends Nadeshiko a picture of the night view from the Takabotchi Highlands in Nagano Prefecture.


Motosu High School

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The school was chosen by the manga's Yamanashi-based author, Afro, because of its scenic mountain-top setting. Unfortunately, the school has already closed Down a few years ago, but it's nice to see it somewhat live on through the manga and anime.

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Surprisedly, I was allowed to wander around the school a bit, which was being prepped for a special fan event, and I actually did manage to find a suspiciously familiar looking room. Might this have been being the the inspiration for the outside club room?

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However, the main building of the school looks quite different in real life.

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Some fan events take place in and around the school nowadays, so a desk that looks just like Rin's from the show was set up inside of the former library, which was filled with Laid-Back Camp memorabilia as well. The locals generally considered thrilled about the small town has been getting since the anime, and have been played an active role in making these fan events happen.

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There is even a few anime locations to be found on the short walk from Kai-Tokiwa Station to Motosu High School, like the funny Google Street View scene.

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Starting from Kai-Tokiwa Station, it's best to explore the next few locations via train, as all of them can be found along the Minobu Line.

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Minobu

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The next stop is Minobu Station in Minobu, a quaint little town along the Fuji River, which was featured in the anime's eight episode.

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The store right next to the station sells Minobu Manju (basically sweet steamed buns), which Nadeshiko is a part of the main store, which is a traditional Japanese shop left and right, one of the being being Eisodo, a traditional confectionary store. t get enough of in the episode.

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If you're lucky, you can even stumble across the dog shown in the episode here in real life. Unfortunately, the owner was apparently out on a stroll with him when I was there.

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It was great to bump into other people doing the Laid-Back Camp pilgrimage here, even one year after the airing of the anime.

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Utsubuna

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The station gets quite a bit of screen time in the show, since it's where Nadeshiko has to get on to commute.

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Selva Store

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Taking photos inside a super market, taking place inside ai works part-time. Laid-Back Camp goods corner, which has some exclusive merchandise of the show.

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The liquor store right next to the supermarket is where Chiaki works to earn a few extra bucks. However, the actual store closed down some time ago.


Lake motosu

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And last but not least, this article would not be complete without Laid-Back CampFuji Motoko's view of Mt. Fuji, Lake Motosu from the first episode! It is the third large and clear of the Fuji Five Lakes, and while they're all popular destinations for outdoor activities and getting a good view of Mt. Mt. Fuji is especially noteworthy for a particular reason.

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I didn't actually walk through the whole 558m-long Nakanokura Tunnel, I just went in and out to get the photo.

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And while I'm all for recreating anime shots as accurate as possible, I would have minded for it to be at 10 degrees warmer during my visit.

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I saw several people re-create the scene from the anime only there is a public restroom a tourist attraction.

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Motosu Central Lodge is where you check in if you want to camp at the Koan Camping Ground.

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As you can imagine, the interior looks just like it is in the anime, and they also serve some great Hoto noodle soup, which is a local specialty, and also the dish Chiaki prepared for Nadeshiko when she was sick in episode nine.

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The main entrance of the Koan Camping Ground is just behind the lodge.

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Right behind the lodge was a mountain trail which led to a very scenic observation deck, with a great view of the lake, Mt. Fuji, and the surrounding area, which only took me around 30 minutes to get to.

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It is already spectacular in the anime, but seeing the crystal-clear lake, with Japan's sacred mountain lingering in the background, was absolutely absolutely stunning in real life. This really isn't just any ordinary view of Mt. 've ever been to Japan yourself, you've likely already seen it.

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Fuji is seen from Lake Motosu graces the reverse side of the current 1000 yen bank note (around $ 9) since 2004. The bill's image of Mt. Fuji is modeled after the famed photograph “Lakeside in Spring,” ”Taken by Koyo Okada, a man who devoted his entire life to photography Japan's highest mountain. The same image was also part of the design of the older 5000 yen bill.

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It ’s definitely a million dollar view, or more accurately, a thousand yen view!


And there you have it, just about every Laid-Back Camp location located in Yamanashi Prefecture. Laid-Back CampSo if you're a fan of the anime, and you're a fan of the anime. You're a fan of the anime. And if you want to get a taste of the second season, it might be worth a shot to head up Mt. Re 'really eagerly actuating the continuation of the series, why not try to experience some of the show's best locations? Minobu, and visit the legendary Kuonji Temple. All the Laid-Back Camp merchant and many cross-over events might be there for a reason.

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Does Yamanashi seem like a place you want to visit? Sound off in the comments below!

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You can talk with him on Twitter Wilhelm is an anime tourist, who loves to search for and uncover the real-world spots @Surwill.

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