“Kusuriya no Hitorigoto” Collaboration Stamp Rally Held in Ibaraki Prefecture! Jinshi’s Voice Actor Ootsuka Takeo Experiences It [Report]

A collaborative stamp rally, “IBARAKI is Blossoming Kusuriya no Junyuuroku,” featuring the beloved TV anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto and Ibaraki Prefecture, is currently captivating participants across the entire prefecture! On October 25th, the very first day of the event, Ootsuka Takeo, the talented voice actor for Jinshi, embarked on the stamp rally himself, immersing himself in Ibaraki’s rich charms while diligently collecting stamps.

“IBARAKI is Blossoming” – A New Tourism Initiative

Ibaraki Prefecture has launched a new tourism brand concept, “IBARAKI is Blossoming,” and is actively promoting it through various campaigns. This initiative likens Ibaraki’s diverse attractions—its stunning nature, vibrant culture, traditional crafts, and delectable cuisine—to beautiful flowers. The aim is to encourage visitors to enjoy exploring the prefecture, much like creating their own unique bouquet of experiences.

The “IBARAKI is Blossoming Kusuriya no Junyuuroku” stamp rally, a special collaboration with the TV anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (also known as The Apothecary Diaries), is a core part of this initiative. This exciting event runs until January 18th, 2026, offering fans a chance to journey through Ibaraki alongside Maomao and Jinshi and uncover the prefecture’s hidden gems. Participants can choose between separate Maomao and Jinshi courses, and by collecting a certain number of stamps from various locations throughout the prefecture, they can earn exclusive original clear cards as rewards!

Ootsuka Takeo’s Journey Begins in Yuuki City

The adventure for Ootsuka-san kicked off at the Yuuki City Kankou Bussan Center. Spotting the vibrant stamp rally poster displayed at the entrance, Ootsuka-san smiled, remarking, “It feels like I’m traveling with Jinshi-sama!” He eagerly grabbed a stamp sheet and pressed the first stamp featuring Jinshi-sama. His eyes lit up as he exclaimed, “It’s Jinshi-sama holding Yuuki Tsumugi! The details are so intricately drawn!”

Next, Ootsuka-san visited “yuinowa,” a renovated shared space that was once an old kimono shop. Here, he rented a deep blue haori, reminiscent of Jinshi-sama’s elegant attire, and thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the charming streets of Yuuki City. The townscape, lined with traditional merchant houses (misekura) built from the early Meiji to Taishou periods, exuded an incredible atmosphere. Ootsuka-san expressed his satisfaction, saying, “Walking through Yuuki City in a haori was incredibly atmospheric. I’d love for not only Japanese visitors but also those from overseas to experience this.”

A Hands-On Experience with Traditional Crafts

Ootsuka-san continued his journey to “Tsumugi no Yakata,” an experiential facility unique to Yuuki City, a hub for the traditional craft of Yuuki Tsumugi silk. During the weaving experience, he was seen meticulously weaving each thread, his expression serious as he moved the shuttle with focused concentration. After the experience, Ootsuka-san reflected, “Actually trying out weaving made me realize anew what a delicate and intricate process it is. I believe experiences like this can spark an interest in Yuuki Tsumugi and traditional crafts. And of course, when you weave it yourself, you feel a deep affection for it.” He carefully stroked the coaster he had woven, a testament to his newfound appreciation.

Savoring Ibaraki’s Culinary Delights

For lunch, Ootsuka-san stopped at “HOTEL(TEN),” an accommodation facility that has lovingly renovated a traditional Japanese house over 90 years old. Here, he indulged in a hot pot (nabe) featuring Ibaraki’s finest local specialties. This delicious miso nabe showcased Ibaraki-produced “Rose Pork,” famous for its quality, alongside napa cabbage—of which Ibaraki boasts the highest production volume in Japan—all seasoned with “Tsumugi Miso” from Akiba Kouji Miso Brewery in Yuuki City.

The moment the lid was lifted, Ootsuka-san’s face broke into a radiant smile as he exclaimed, “Wow! That looks delicious!” After tasting, he raved, “The meat is juicy, tender, and bursting with umami. The aroma of the miso is exquisite, perfectly bringing together the meat and vegetables. It’s truly, incredibly delicious. My perception of miso nabe has completely changed!” He savored every last bite, even enjoying the udon noodles added at the end.

Exploring Mount Tsukuba and Forest Adventures

Following his delightful meal, Ootsuka-san visited the “Tsukuba-san Omotenashi-kan,” located midway up Mount Tsukuba, offering breathtaking views of approximately 1,000 plum trees. The stamp station was conveniently situated at the back of the café space. He was thrilled to find a character panel of Jinshi-sama holding a maple leaf, matching the stamp’s design, and his excitement peaked, declaring, “Kawaii!” He even left his autograph on the panel.

While enjoying coffee and gazing at the lush trees from the café window, Ootsuka-san reviewed the stamps he had collected. He enthusiastically shared his thoughts: “This place is perfect as a base for exploration, with comprehensive tourist information about the Tsukuba-san area. There’s also a Forest Adventure park right next door that utilizes the forest terrain and trees. I definitely want to try that next time!” His plans for future adventures were already bubbling up.

Tsuchiura and a Nod to Maomao and Jinshi’s World

For his final stop, Ootsuka-san headed to “Tsuchiura Machikado Gura Daitoku.” At the entrance, he discovered a character panel of Jinshi-sama dressed as a Gessei (Moon Spirit), which sparked a surprised “So this is Gessei!” from him. “Daitoku” is a facility converted from an old kimono shop built in the late Edo period, now serving as a tourist information center and souvenir shop. Ootsuka-san seemed quite intrigued by the array of souvenirs on display. The stamp station was located in the back-left corner of the store.

Ootsuka-san then recalled a scene from the anime, saying, “I heard Tsuchiura is famous for its fireworks. And Lake Kasumigaura is very close by, which makes me think of that scene where Jinshi-sama, disguised as a Gessei, danced by the pond on a moonlit night. Is that why this stamp design features him as a Gessei?” He was also genuinely surprised when he learned that lotus root is a local specialty of the region, exclaiming, “I had no idea!”

A Fulfilling Journey and Future Plans

Having successfully collected three stamps, Ootsuka-san beamed with delight as he received his commemorative Jinshi-sama original clear card. Reflecting on his stamp rally experience, he expressed his utmost satisfaction: “I’m so incredibly happy to have discovered and fully enjoyed so many charms of Ibaraki that I never knew about before. I truly hope everyone will join Maomao and Jinshi-sama in collecting their own treasures of Ibaraki’s appeal!”

With a refreshed smile, Ootsuka-san concluded his journey, adding, “Jinshi-sama goes wherever Maomao goes, after all (laughs). So, of course, I plan to visit the remaining spots on the Jinshi-sama course, and I also want to explore the Maomao course spots to uncover even more of Ibaraki’s wonders!” His enthusiasm perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the collaboration.

Event Details: Don’t Miss Out!

The “IBARAKI is Blossoming Kusuriya no Junyuuroku” stamp rally, a captivating collaboration between the TV anime Kusuriya no Hitorigoto and Ibaraki Prefecture, and personally experienced by Jinshi’s voice actor, Ootsuka Takeo, is ongoing throughout the prefecture until January 18th, 2026. Please note there will be a suspension period for the New Year holidays, from December 29th to January 3rd, 2026. For more details, be sure to visit the Ibaraki Prefecture Tourism Branding Site, “IBARAKI is Blossoming.”

(C) Natsu Hyuuga・Imagica Infos／”Kusuriya no Hitorigoto” Production Committee

《Nakase Koutarou》

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