In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Minobu
身延町
Half-day stop for Kuonji Temple and Lake Motosu; one night if you hike or camp. Not a base.
Minobu is a small town in Yamanashi Prefecture, best known for the vast Kuonji Temple complex and its proximity to Lake Motosu, a World Heritage site with Fuji views. The anime Laid-Back Camp was set here, drawing fans to its natural terrain. Most visitors come for a few hours from Kofu or as a stop on the Minobu Line.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 身延町
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (humid, rain), Jan–Feb (cold, snow possible)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–15,000 excl. bed · High ¥15,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ¥300–500 |
| Noodle soup (soba or ramen) | ¥700–1,200 |
| Minobu Manju (box of 5) | ¥800–1,200 |
| Bus Minobu Station → Kuonji Temple | ¥300 |
| Minobu Line one-way from Kofu | ¥1,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- About 3 h by bus/train via Shinjuku; check
- HND · Tokyo Haneda Airport
- About 2.5 h via Shinjuku; check
- FSZ · Shizuoka Airport
- About 2 h by train via Fuji; check
Typical fares
- Minobu Station → Kuonji Temple, bus
- about ¥300, 15 min (check)
- Minobu Line Kofu → Minobu
- about ¥1,000, 1 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Minobu Line trains connect the town's stations. Buses run from Minobu Station to Kuonji Temple, timed with trains. Walking is possible for short distances.
See and do
Known for
- Kuonji Temple (head temple of Nichiren Buddhism)
- Lake Motosu (Fuji view, World Heritage site)
- Laid-Back Camp anime setting
- Minobu Manju (local sweet)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kofu | Minobu Line, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Fujiyoshida | Minobu Line to Fuji, then Fujikyuko Line, about 2 h | About 2.5 h |
| Lake Motosu | Bus from Minobu Station, about 30 min | About 40 min |
Sleep
- Minobu Station area
- Closest to the station; a few minshuku and a ryokan.
- Kuonji Temple area
- Near the temple; limited options, mostly temple lodgings (shukubo).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatou gozaimasu |
| How much is this? | これはいくらですか？kore wa ikura desu ka |
| Where is the bus stop? | バス停はどこですか？basutei wa doko desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Kuonji Temple opens at 5:00; last entry around 16:30 (check).
- Lake Motosu has no direct train; take a bus from Minobu Station or drive.
- Minobu Line trains are infrequent; check the timetable in advance.
- Cash is needed; ATMs are scarce.
Very safe. Watch for infrequent trains and limited services after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Minobu yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kuonji Temple (head temple of Nichiren Buddhism)
- Lake Motosu (Fuji view, World Heritage site)
- Laid-Back Camp anime setting
- Minobu Manju (local sweet)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Minobu town official website: www.town.minobu.lg.jp/
- Minobu tourist association (Japanese): www.minobu.info/
- Wikivoyage: Minobu, revision 5151705 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5151705
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Minobu身延町
ここまでお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US consulate in Nagoya is the nearest; most embassies are in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/minobu). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.