Lake Motosu: following the trails of Yuru Camp characters

My trip to Japan at the beginning of this year brought me to Lake Motosu in southern Yamanashi prefecture, near Mount Fuji. Little did I know that I stumbled upon a hidden gem from one of my favorite manga series, Yuru Camp.

Lake Motosu, Yamanashi prefecture

Though I recall the main characters camping in the Fuji Five Lakes area, I wasn’t aware that the location we were going to visit was a popular pilgrimage site for fans of the series. It was the very location where Rin-chan first encountered Nadeshiko, peacefully sleeping in front of a toilet – a quirky moment that captures the series' charm. When nature called and I needed to use that particular restroom, my husband overheard a chat among a group of otaku discussing the location and taking pictures.

Yuru Camp by Afro, Volume 1, page 4

Adjacent to the picturesque spot, a charming shop emerged, filled with Yuru Camp merchandise. The real highlight was the camping gear inspired by the series, allowing fans to recreate the outdoor adventures of the main characters. What a fun place that was! I was happy to see other people being similarly enthusiastic about the series. Now I definitely want to visit some more locations from the manga for a real Japanese camping experience.