Ibaraki AR Photo Project Brings The Apothecary Diaries Characters to Summer Spots
The project is the opening phase of a year-long Ibaraki tourism campaign tied to The Apothecary Diaries, with plans to expand the AR photo spots to autumn, winter, and spring settings.
Reporting from 1 source: PANORA.
Ibaraki Prefecture's Tourism Strategy Division is running the AR photo spot project "Summer Tour with Maomao and Jinshi" from August 8 to September 30, 2026. Visitors scan QR codes at four locations to obtain AR photo frames featuring chibi versions of Maomao and Jinshi, then take commemorative photos against local scenery. The project is part of a year-long tourism campaign under the brand concept "IBARAKI is Blossoming."
The four summer-limited AR photo spots each pair a character with a distinct backdrop. In Hitachiota City, Jinshi appears against the Ryujin Suspension Bridge. Chikusei City offers sunflower fields at Ano Himawari no Sato with Mount Tsukuba behind. Ami Town places Maomao near the Ushiku Daibutsu, and Oarai Town uses the mirror-like reflection of Oarai Sun Beach during ebb tide.
QR codes are placed at specific facilities, including Suifu Bussan Center, Michi-no-Eki Grand Terrace Chikusei, Ami Premium Outlets, and the Umita Terasu information center. Once saved, the AR frame can be reused across each municipality. A simultaneous SNS campaign will award 30 winners a limited-edition B2 seasonal tourism poster for posting photos with the hashtag on X.
- Hitachiota City: QR code at Suifu Bussan Center, with Jinshi against the Ryujin Suspension Bridge
- Chikusei City: QR code at Michi-no-Eki Grand Terrace Chikusei, with sunflowers and Mount Tsukuba
- Ami Town: QR code at Ami Premium Outlets, with Maomao and the Ushiku Daibutsu
- Oarai Town: QR code at Umita Terasu, with the reflective Oarai Sun Beach
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.