October 20, 2024, we planned Seichi’s birthday adventure at Grinpa. Grinpa is a family-oriented amusement and theme park located on the southern side (2nd station) of Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka.

While on our way to Grinpa, we saw that there was a Friendship Festival Event at Camp Fuji.  While going to Grinpa gradually the weather changed while on our way; it was drizzling and really foggy. At 9:45 am, we reached Grinpa, but unfortunately, it was closed. 🙂 No worries, we’re pretty used to impromptu changes of plan.

We decided to visit and attend the CATC Camp Fuji Friendship Festival in Gotemba City, Shizuoka. We passed by the area to check if it would start to open, but it will be open from 12 pm to 8 pm. So we decided to go around Lake Yamanakako, take a walk, and watch some people wakeboarding, bbqing, and hanging out.

We also saw the Kaba bus. So we checked the Kaba bus schedule and talked about riding on the Kaba bus, but I guess it’s not a good time for a good view because it was too cloudy. We can’t have a view of Mt. Fuji at all. Maybe we can do it next time.

We were getting hungry, so before going back to Camp Fuji, we looked for somewhere to eat. We tried Reel Ramen Cafe, but it was full and had a long wait we left. We were getting really hungry, so we drove around to find a place somewhere to eat.

Around 12noon, we found a charcoal fire Japanese dining izakaya called Maru. That’s where we had our lunch. The place was really nice and the food was good. Kids ordered curry rice, and they gave our kids a bowl of egg soup too 🙂 I ordered chicken with cabbage on a hot plate, with miso soup, sauces, and a side dish set. Daddy and the kids liked it too. It was really good. Warm food, happy bellies. After a little recharge. 🙂 We headed back to Camp Fuji.

We parked in a wide field less than a kilometer from the event gate. Seishin fell asleep and had a little siesta. While at the parking area were waiting for Seishin to re-energize and reset his mood :))

So and Seichii, I was supposed to go first. I thought we would be walking from the parking area to the event gate, but to my surprise, outside the field, there was a service bus alternately picking up visitors. How cool is that?!  I called my husband to see if Seishin was good to go, because the shuttle bus was coming to pick up the visitors.

Of course, Seichi and Seishin was really excited. The last time they rode a bus, I think Seichi was 3 yrs. old and Seishin was still 1 yr. old. :).  So they were really thrilled to ride the big bus.

When we reached the location at the gate. For foreigners like me, they checked our residence card and fingerprints, and before reaching the event entrance, they checked everyone’s bags.

Around the area, there were mini-games for kids, variety performers, food stalls,  stage performances, and more.

Seichi and Seishin were so excited and fascinated. Of course, as always, for us parents. The best part for them was seeing real U.S Marines and Japanese military personnel, and of course!!! the helicopter, tanks, humvees, heavy transport trucks like MTVR truck, ambulance, firetrucks, military big bikes, and more.

We lined up at some vehicles for our kids to take pictures with the Marines and Japanese military personnel and got to chance to see inside different military vehicles. First with the helicopter, then the tanks, the Humvees, and more.

The Marines and Japanese military personnel were so nice, friendly, and approachable. Actually, Seishin wanted to ask them something, but he was too shy to ask. He kept whispering to me, “How can I join the army?” I could tell he was so curious, watching the Marines standing in the tanks and Humvees. It was like meeting real-life superheroes. 🙂

Note: I’ve covered the faces and uniforms of the service members in these photos out of respect for their privacy and security.

After taking pictures kids wanted to play with the mini-games. We bought some tickets for them to play basketball, shoot, and bungee run. They received coupons for prizes they had so much fun choosing between toys, popcorn, and other goodies. We exchanged some toys and a lot of popcorn. 🙂

By the way, this was actually our 2nd time attending the Japanese-American Friendship Festival. Our first time was in September 2016 at Yokota Air Base in Fussa City, Tokyo

Even though we didn’t make it to Grinpa, we had unexpected adventures, a day full of fun and surprises. Sometimes the best memories are really the ones you never planned.

Family Dinner and birthday celebration —-> Link here

Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2016 @ Yokota Airbase —-> Link here