Ibaraki Prefecture to Issue Tourism “IBARAKI PASSPORT” Copying Gunma’s Model

Ibaraki Prefecture announced it will issue a passport‑style tourism brochure called “IBARAKI PASSPORT”. The free booklet will cover all 44 municipalities in the prefecture and include a stamp‑rally that rewards visitors who collect stamps from each locality. Distribution is slated to begin in early October 2026, with application details to be released around September.

Governor Kazuhiko Oiigawa said the design intentionally mirrors Gunma Prefecture’s “GUNMA PASSPORT”, which launched on 1 May 2026 and quickly became popular. He noted that the Gunma governor, Yamamoto, gave informal approval, adding, “We may be called a blatant copy, but we are doing it on purpose.” While the visual layout is similar, the content will focus on Ibaraki’s own attractions, history, cuisine and hot‑springs. The initiative aims to boost local pride, attract visitors from Tokyo and neighboring regions, and stimulate tourism spending.

The passport will be free, and visitors who complete the stamp rally can receive a final “completion” stamp at the prefectural office.