In Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town, the traveling merchant Van makes a return. Now selling pets, ore, and records, you might notice that he doesn't just appear automatically. Several conditions dictate when he comes to town and what he sells.

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Despite being a sizable component to progress here in Mineral Town, Van isn't the easiest NPC to coax into visiting. And even then, his schedule and secret storefront often seem unclear. Here's what you need to know.

Updated on July 8, 2023, by Branden Lizardi: With Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town now available on Xbox Game Pass, more folks are getting into their idyllic farming lifestyle for the first time. While FoMT may have a casual side. It can get pretty in-depth and confusing. To help ease the process for newcomers, we're revisiting our existing guides and making sure they're clear and easy to read. Good luck getting a Capybara!

How To Unlock Van And Where To Find Van's Shop

Van's presence in your town is unlocked by presenting the Harvest Goddess with 30 gifts over 30 days. Missed days are OK; this doesn't need to be in a row. The Goddess is found in the spring between the health spa and the mine.

She likes flowers, which you can pick from the surrounding area. Throw one into the spring each day, and she will appear to thank you for it.

Once the Goddess has received her 30 gifts over 30 different days, Van will greet you on the next sunny Wednesday. He will talk to you as you exit your farmhouse and tell you about his visiting schedule.

Where To Find Van's Shop

Once Van is unlocked, you'll find him on the second floor of the Inn every Wednesday from 8 am until 9 pm. Here he will sell Copper, Silver, Gold, and Mithril for vastly inflated prices. He also sells a Record Player for 2000G and records starting at 500G. You can buy records at a rate of one per week, and they will allow you to play different music while at your farm.

How To Buy Pets From Van

Van also has a pet stall. You'll only see this once a month on the 15th, where he will stand in the bottom left corner of the Plaza from 12 pm until 6 pm.

If the weather is rainy or snowy, he will stay at the Inn, selling his usual wares instead. He will also stay at the Inn if a festival is scheduled for the 15th.

Van sells a different pet each season.

Spring

Cats

Summer

Penguins

Autumn

Dogs

Winter

Capybara

The prices range from 10,000G up to 30,000G, and there are two types of capybara and penguin and three types of cat and dog, making ten unique pets in total.

To purchase a new pet, you must also have a friendship level of eight with all of your existing pets. So choose your first pet wisely and be sure to give them treats and attention regularly if you want more.

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