Ibaraki launches AR photo spots for anime “Yakuya no Hitorigoto”

From 8 August to 30 September 2026, Ibaraki Prefecture will host a free augmented‑reality photo‑spot campaign featuring the characters Cat Cat and Mitsu from the popular anime “Yakuya no Hitorigoto”. QR‑code panels installed at four tourist sites – the Ryujin Daikyo Bridge in Hitachi‑Ota, the sunflower fields of Akeno Himawari‑no‑Sato in Tsukuba, the Ami Premium Outlet near the Ushiku Daibutsu, and the Oarai Sun‑Beach (Reflection Beach) – allow visitors to scan with a smartphone and overlay the characters in the scenery for photos.

The campaign coincides with the anime’s upcoming third season (scheduled for October 2026) and a winter‑themed movie. Participants who post their AR photos on X with the hashtag #猫猫壬氏と夏巡り enter a draw for one of 30 limited‑edition seasonal tourism posters. The initiative is part of Ibaraki’s year‑round effort to promote its attractions through seasonal events.