"IBARAKI is Blossoming: The Pharmacist's Journey," a collaboration between the popular anime "The Apothecary Diaries" and Ibaraki Prefecture, is being held in the prefecture until January 18, 2026. The stamp rally allows participants to travel around the prefecture with Maomao and Jinshi and experience its charms, and Takeo Otsuka , the voice actor for Jinshi , participated in the stamp rally.
The trip began at the Yuki City Tourism and Products Center, where upon seeing the stamp rally poster posted at the entrance, Otsuka smiled and said, "It feels like I'm traveling with Jinshi," and when he stamped the stamp with Jinshi on it, he exclaimed with shining eyes, "Jinshi holding Yuki Tsumugi! It's so carefully drawn down to the smallest detail." Afterwards, he visited "yuinowa," a shared space renovated from a former kimono shop, where he rented a dark blue haori (Japanese long-sleeved coat) inspired by Jinshi, and, wearing the haori, enjoyed a stroll around the town of Yuki. "Walking around the town of Yuki in the haori was very tasteful," he said. "I would encourage not only Japanese people but also people from overseas to experience this," he said.
They also visited Tsumugi no Yakata, an experience facility unique to the town of Yuki Tsumugi, a traditional craft. "Trying out weaving myself made me realize once again how delicate and intricate the work is. I think experiences like this can spark an interest in Yuki Tsumugi and traditional crafts, and you really do develop an attachment to something you weave yourself," said Otsuka, fondly stroking the coaster she had woven.
At HOTEL (TEN), a lodging facility renovated from an old house that is over 90 years old, we enjoyed a hot pot that featured Ibaraki's specialty products in their entirety. "The meat was juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The aroma of miso was strong, and the meat and vegetables were beautifully combined, making it really delicious. It has changed my concept of miso hotpot!"
Located on the slopes of Mount Tsukuba, the Mount Tsukuba Hospitality Hall overlooks a grove of approximately 1,000 plum trees, and features a character panel of Jinshi holding a maple leaf, which Otsuka exclaimed was so cute and even signed. "This place has a wealth of tourist information for the area around Mount Tsukuba, and is the perfect base for a stroll. There's also a nearby Forest Adventure that makes use of the forest's terrain and trees, and I'd like to try that next time too!" she said.
Finally, when we visited Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku, there was a character panel of Jinshi dressed as a moon spirit on the eaves. "This is the moon spirit!" he commented. "I heard Tsuchiura is famous for its fireworks. Lake Kasumigaura is nearby, so it reminds me of the scene where Jinshi danced dressed as a moon spirit by the pond on a moonlit night. Is that why they chose this stamp design?"
Having collected three stamps, Otsuka received an original Jinshi clear card to commemorate her achievement. "I'm very satisfied to have been able to enjoy the various charms of Ibaraki that I didn't know about before. I hope that everyone will join Maomao and Jinshi in collecting the charms of Ibaraki," she said. "Jinshi goes wherever Maomao goes (laughs). I'd also like to visit the remaining spots on the Jinshi course, as well as the spots on the Maomao course, to learn more about the charms of Ibaraki!" she said, finishing her trip with a smile.
