A hard blow has come for fans of otaku tourism and outdoor activities. The popular venue that served as a real-life model for a key location in the Laid-Back Camp (Yuru Camp△) film will permanently close its doors at the end of this month. The facility, known as Minobu Shizen no Sato, located in the town of Minobu in Yamanashi Prefecture, opened in 2018 as an overnight and camping space, but now faces an unsustainable reality.

The end of the camping boom and the bear problem

Four years ago, when the cinematic version of the franchise hit theaters, this camp gained huge attention as the exact spot enjoyed by the protagonists on screen. However, the magic has faded. The managing company reported that visitor counts last year dropped to less than 40 percent of their peak, leading them to end operations at the close of April 2026.

The reasons for this drastic decision are multiple. First, the huge camping boom that emerged during the pandemic has ended. Additionally, repeated bear sightings in the area have sparked strong fear among tourists, making them feel unsafe. This is compounded by a local infrastructure issue: an aging population has made it extremely difficult to maintain the water system that supplies the facility. Town officials expressed deep disappointment, as they had hoped the site would bring constant energy and economy to the region.

Community reaction: From traffic to harassment

The news, spread this 13 April