The Apothecary Diaries x Ibaraki! Jinshi’s VA Takeo Otsuka Takes On the Collab Stamp Rally

TV anime The Apothecary Diaries and Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture have teamed up to present a special collaboration stamp rally, IBARAKI is Blossoming, running throughout the prefecture from October 25, 2025 (Sat) to January 18, 2026 (Sun). (*Service will be closed for the New Year holidays from December 29, 2025 to January 3, 2026.)

This stamp rally lets you explore Ibaraki alongside The Apothecary Diaries protagonists Maomao and Jinshi, discovering the region’s unique charms. Participants can take on both a Maomao Course and a Jinshi Course, and depending on the number of points collected while traveling around the prefecture, you can also receive bonus original clear cards.

On the launch day, October 25 (Sat), Jinshi's voice actor Takeo Otsuka gave the rally a try himself, collecting stamps while taking in the beauty of Ibaraki.

Read on for a report on his trip. You can also shop The Apothecary Diaries merch, music and more at animate International!

Woven into Tradition: Takeo Otsuka Explores Yuki-tsumugi Silk Craftsmanship

The journey began at the Yuki City Tourist Information Center. Spotting the stamp rally poster at the entrance, Otsuka smiled and said, "It really does feel like I'm traveling with Jinshi." He picked up his stamp sheet right away and pressed the stamp featuring Jinshi. Looking at the design, his eyes lit up. "Jinshi holding Yuki-tsumugi silk... the tiny details are incredible," he said, clearly impressed.

After that, he visited yuinowa, a coworking space renovated from a 90-year-old former kimono shop. Taking some inspiration from Jinshi, Otsuka rented a navy blue haori to wear while exploring the city of Yuki. The streets are lined with misegura (thick, earthen-walled storehouses dating back to the early Meiji to Taisho eras) which gives the town a unique atmosphere. "Walking around Yuki in a haori feels really elegant," Otsuka said with a satisfied smile. "I’d love for not just people in Japan, but visitors from overseas to experience this too."

Otsuka also stopped by Tsumugi no Yakata, an interactive facility that is a must-visit in a city known for the traditional craft of Yuki-tsumugi. There, he tried his hand at weaving, moving the shuttle with a focused expression as he carefully worked each thread into place. "Actually trying the weaving process myself made me realize just how delicate and intricate this craft really is," Otsuka said. "I think experiences like this can spark people’s interest in Yuki-tsumugi and traditional crafts. And when you weave something with your own hands, you naturally start to feel attached to it." He smiled as he gently stroked the coaster he had just woven.

Enjoy Miso Hotpot Loaded With Local Ingredients

For lunch, he stopped by HOTEL(TEN), a renovated 90-year-old townhouse now used as a rental accommodation. There, Otsuka was treated to a hotpot packed with Ibaraki’s signature ingredients. The miso hotpot features Ibaraki’s premium brand pork, Rose Pork, along with locally grown Chinese cabbage (the prefecture is actually Japan’s top producer), all brought together with tsumugi-miso from Akiba Koji Miso Brewery in Yuki City.

The moment he lifted the lid, Otsuka broke into a big smile. "Whoa, that looks amazing!" he said. After polishing off the broth with udon noodles, he added, "The meat was so juicy and tender, and the flavor was incredible. The miso aroma was rich, and everything, the pork, the veggies, just came together perfectly. Honestly, it completely changed how I think about miso hotpot!"

Halfway Up Mount Tsukuba: Snapping a Commemorative Photo at the Stamp Spot

His next stop was the Mt. Tsukuba Omotenashi Rest House, located halfway up Mount Tsukuba and overlooking a grove of roughly 1,000 plum trees.

The stamp station was set up at the back of the cafe space, along with a character panel of Jinshi holding a maple leaf, matching the stamp’s design. Spotting it, Otsuka lit up and said, "That’s adorable!" before kindly adding his signature.

With a cup of coffee in hand, he sat by the window and looked out at the trees while checking the stamps he’d collected so far. "This rest house is also packed with sightseeing information for the Mount Tsukuba area, making it an ideal starting point for a stroll. There’s even a Forest Adventure course nearby that uses the natural terrain and trees. I want to try that next time!" he said, already thinking about his next visit.

Collect Three Stamps and Earn an Exclusive Jinshi Clear Card

Lastly, Otsuka visited the tourism center Tsuchiura Machikado Kura Daitoku. Under the eaves, he found a character panel of Jinshi dressed as a moon fairy. Spotting it, he laughed in surprise and said, "Oh, so they have a moon fairy one here!"

Daitoku, renovated from a former kimono shop built in the late Edo period, now serves as a hub for tourist information and local souvenirs. Otsuka browsed the displays with clear interest, checking out the wide variety of goods. The stamp station was located toward the back left of the store.

Otsuka said, "I heard Tsuchiura is famous for its fireworks. Lake Kasumigaura is close by, so it really reminds me of that scene where Jinshi dances by the pond in his moon-fairy outfit on a moonlit night. I guess that's why they went with this stamp design, right?" he said, recalling the moment from the anime. He also learned here that lotus root is one of the area's specialties, reacting with a surprised, "I had no idea!"

Beaming With Joy: Three Stamps Collected and an Exclusive Jinshi Clear Card in Hand

Otsuka successfully collected three stamps, earning an original Jinshi clear card as a reward. With a bright smile, he said, "I'm really happy I got to discover so many sides of Ibaraki I didn’t know about. I hope everyone will join Maomao and Jinshi and enjoy collecting all the charms of Ibaraki, too." It was clear that he genuinely enjoyed experiencing Ibaraki through the stamp rally.

He wrapped up his trip with a refreshed smile, saying, "Jinshi goes wherever Maomao goes (laughs). I'd love to visit the remaining spots on the Jinshi Course, and even check out the Maomao Course too. I want to discover even more of Ibaraki's charms!"

■Collaboration Stamp Rally "IBARAKI is Blossoming" Official Site: https://www.ibaraki-is-blossoming.jp/ 
Press Release (Japanese): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000165784.html
■Original Report: https://www.ibaraki-is-blossoming.jp/event/report251025.html

(C)日向夏・主婦の友インフォス／「薬屋のひとりごと」製作委員会