ake on “Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu”! Explore the City While Solving Puzzles

“Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu” is an interactive puzzle-solving event that lets you explore the streets of Kofu while solving mysteries along the way.

Your next destination remains a surprise until you solve the clues in your hands. As the puzzles guide you around Kofu Station, you’ll discover streetscapes, local history, and shops you might otherwise miss during a typical sightseeing trip.

With no time limit, you can explore at your own pace, stopping to take photos, visit interesting shops, or enjoy a meal along the way.

In this article, we’ll introduce how to participate in “Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu,” including ticket prices, estimated duration, and tips for making the most of the experience.

What Is “Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu”?

“Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu” is a walking puzzle-solving event created by SCRAP, the company behind Japan’s popular Real Escape Game experiences.

With a special puzzle-solving kit in hand, participants explore the area around Kofu Station, solve puzzles, and discover where to go next. Instead of following a predetermined sightseeing route, the experience gradually reveals your destinations as you solve each mystery.

Familiar signs, buildings, and alleyways you might normally pass without noticing can take on a whole new appearance as you work through the puzzles. Whether you’re visiting Kofu for the first time or have lived here for years, the experience offers a chance to discover a side of the city you haven’t seen before.

Event Overview

Item	Details
Event Name	Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu
Event Period	Ongoing since Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Location	Around Kofu Station
Price	¥2,500 per person (tax included)
Estimated Duration	Approximately 2–3 hours
Time Limit	None
Recommended Playing Hours	10:00 AM until sunset
Number of Participants	One or more
Reservations	Same-day participation available
What You Need	A smartphone or other device with internet access

Some puzzles depend on the opening hours of certain facilities or cannot be solved after sunset, so starting as early as possible after 10:00 AM is recommended.

The event period and availability of puzzle kits may change. Please check the official website for the latest information before participating.

Official Website: https://realdgame.jp/s/nazotabi-kofu/

How to Play “Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu”

Getting started is simple. Just purchase a puzzle-solving kit and begin your adventure around Kofu Station.

1. Purchase a Puzzle-Solving Kit

First, purchase the special puzzle-solving kit.
You can either buy an exchange voucher in advance or purchase the kit directly at a designated sales location on the day of your visit.
Same-day sales may be limited depending on how busy the venue is. If you already know when you plan to participate, purchasing an exchange voucher in advance can make collecting your kit easier.

2. Start Solving Puzzles Around Kofu Station

Once you’ve collected your kit, begin your mystery journey around Kofu Station.
Use the booklet, included items, and clues found throughout the city to solve puzzles and discover your next destination.
The exact route and places you’ll visit are part of the surprise, so you’ll find out once you start playing.

3. Explore Kofu While Solving Mysteries

Walk through the area around Kofu Station as you work out the answers to each puzzle.
Feel free to take photos, make detours to interesting places, or stop at a café for a break.
Since there is no time limit, you don’t need to rush and can combine the experience with sightseeing in Kofu.

4. Solve the Final Mystery to Complete the Game

Once you’ve solved all the puzzles and reached the final answer, you’ve completed the game.
Hints are available if you get stuck, so even first-time participants can enjoy this walking puzzle-solving experience.

Where to Purchase and Collect Your Puzzle-Solving Kit

Puzzle-solving kits can be purchased or collected at the following two locations near Kofu Station.

Sales and Collection Location	Address	Opening Hours
Kofu City Tourist Information Center	1-2-14 Marunouchi, Kofu	Weekdays: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; Weekends and public holidays: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM (April–November), 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (December–March)
YAMANASHI BUNKA KAIKAN 1966	2-6-10 Kitaguchi, Kofu, Yamanashi Bunka Kaikan, 2F	10:00 AM–6:00 PM / Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

The Kofu City Tourist Information Center is closed for the New Year holidays from December 29 to January 3.

If you purchase an exchange voucher in advance, you must collect your kit on the specified date at your selected collection location. The date and location cannot be changed, so be sure to check the details carefully when purchasing.

Enjoy the Experience at Your Own Pace with No Time Limit

Unlike typical Real Escape Games, “Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu” has no time limit.
You can take breaks or stop by sightseeing spots that catch your interest as you explore.
If you don’t finish all the puzzles in one day, you can bring your puzzle-solving kit back and continue on another day.

How to Enjoy the Event	Highlights
Participate Alone	Take your time thinking through each puzzle at your own pace
Join with Friends or Family	Share ideas and work together to solve the mysteries
Combine It with Sightseeing	Enjoy meals, shopping, and photography along the way
Play Over Multiple Days	Continue the experience on another day if you run out of time

Visit Koshu Yume Kouji During Your Mystery Adventure

Before or after your puzzle-solving adventure, or during a break, be sure to visit “Koshu Yume Kouji,” located about a three-minute walk from the north exit of Kofu Station. Koshu Yume Kouji is a sightseeing destination that recreates the atmosphere of Kofu’s castle town during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods. Its cobblestone alleyways, traditional storehouse-style buildings, and reconstructed bell tower inspired by Kofu’s historic Toki no Kane (Bell of Time) create a charming historical setting.

The area is home to restaurants and cafés serving dishes and sweets made with ingredients from Yamanashi Prefecture, as well as shops selling Koshu wine, local sake, traditional crafts, natural stones, and accessories. It’s a great place to take a break after walking around solving puzzles or to look for souvenirs that capture the spirit of Kofu.

Things to Enjoy at Koshu Yume Kouji

Stroll Through the Retro Streetscape

Koshu Yume Kouji features cobblestone paths, waterways, and traditional storehouse-style buildings. You can enjoy taking photos while strolling through the peaceful streetscape reminiscent of Kofu’s historic castle town. Since puzzle-solving often involves carefully observing your surroundings, taking a leisurely walk and simply enjoying the scenery can be a refreshing change of pace during a break.

Enjoy the Flavors of Yamanashi

There are restaurants and cafés on the premises where you can enjoy dishes and sweets made with ingredients from Yamanashi Prefecture. Depending on your plans for the day, you can have a meal before starting your puzzle-solving adventure or take a break with something sweet along the way. Opening hours and closing days vary by establishment, so check in advance if there’s a particular place you’d like to visit.

Find Souvenirs Unique to Yamanashi

You’ll find a variety of products that reflect the character of Yamanashi, including Koshu wine, local sake, fruit-based sweets, traditional crafts, natural stones, and accessories. Looking for a souvenir for yourself is another enjoyable way to remember your day in Kofu.

Explore a Small Storehouse Museum

Koshu Yume Kouji also has an exhibition space where visitors can view antique jewelry, prints, and works by Isao Shimizu, an artist from Kofu. It’s a lovely place to stop when you want to spend some quiet time away from the bustle of sightseeing and puzzle-solving.

Can You Participate on Rainy Days?

“Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu” takes place even when it rains.

However, since the experience involves walking around Kofu Station, be sure to wear clothing suitable for the weather and bring rain gear. If heavy rain is expected, a waterproof bag or folder can also help protect your booklet and puzzle-solving kit.

If the event is canceled due to severe weather or other circumstances, an announcement will be posted on SCRAP’s official website. If the weather is uncertain, check for the latest updates before heading out.

Can You Share Puzzle Content on Social Media?

Sharing puzzle questions, answers, or important clues needed to solve the puzzles on blogs or social media is prohibited.

However, you may share photos of shops you visit, city scenery unrelated to the puzzles, and the cover of your kit’s file bag or booklet.

To ensure future participants can enjoy solving the mysteries for themselves, avoid posting photos that reveal answers or destinations.

Conclusion

“Invitation to a Mystery Journey in Kofu” is an event that combines the fun of solving puzzles with exploring the streets of Kofu.

You begin your journey without knowing where you’ll go next, and each puzzle leads you to a new destination. This makes the experience a little different from ordinary sightseeing.

With no time limit and the option to participate alone or with family and friends, it’s a great activity to include in a weekend outing or sightseeing trip to Kofu.

Before or after your puzzle-solving adventure, be sure to stop by Koshu Yume Kouji, located about a three-minute walk from the north exit of Kofu Station. You can stroll through its retro streetscape while enjoying restaurants, cafés, art exhibitions, and souvenir shopping.