“Nasu Shiobara Literary Walk x Literary Masters and Alchemist” event announced!

The Nasushiobara City Tourism Association (448-4 Sekiya, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture; Director: Tomotomi Oda) is pleased to announce a stamp rally around Shiobara Onsen in collaboration with DMM GAMES’ popular female-oriented literary figure reincarnation simulation game, “Bungo to Alchemist.” Shiobara Onsen is a region with a history of over 1200 years, and during the Meiji and Taisho periods, many literary figures such as Natsume Soseki and Ozaki Koyo visited to heal their minds and bodies. As a result, Shiobara Onsen has many literary monuments inscribed with poems written in Shiobara or passages from diaries written there. This project is a touring event that allows you to experience the history and culture of Shiobara Onsen, which was loved by Meiji-era literary figures, through the world of “Bungo to Alchemist.” We hope to deliver a new charm of Nasushiobara to fans and everyone interested in history and literature.

Shiobara Onsen, boasting a history of over 1200 years since its opening, was once a place where numerous literary giants, such as Natsume Soseki, Ozaki Koyo, and the Yosano couple Tekkan and Akiko, healed their minds and bodies and drew inspiration for their creative activities. The poems and diaries they left behind are still scattered throughout the hot spring resort as literary monuments, conveying the atmosphere of that time. This regional resource, “a hot spring resort where the souls of literary giants live on,” and the theme of “Bungo to Alchemist,” which is to reincarnate literary giants and preserve literature, resonated strongly, leading to this collaboration. We aim for fans of the game to experience the deep history and culture of Nasu Shiobara through “pilgrimages” to places associated with the characters.

The most important base for this project is the “Shiobara Monogatari-kan,” located in the heart of Shiobara Onsen. To commemorate the collaboration between “Literary Masters and Alchemist,” a special exhibition will be held at the Shiobara Monogatari-kan. The Shiobara Monogatari-kan displays materials from the time, mainly focusing on literary figures who visited Shiobara Onsen during the Meiji and Taisho periods. The museum will host a special exhibition bringing together valuable materials from these literary masters. These are items that are never allowed to leave the museum and are a must-see for fans and non-fans alike. Main exhibits: Ozaki Koyo: Handwritten manuscripts (March 19th (Thu) – April 2nd (Thu)) Yosano Tekkan: Shikishi (All periods) Natsume Soseki: Hanging scroll (All periods) Tanizaki Junichiro: Related materials from his stay in Shiobara (All periods) Furthermore, the study space, which is also the background of the key visual, is a faithful reproduction of the interior of the “Shiobara Monogatari-kan.” We have prepared an irresistible experience for fans, where you can take commemorative photos in the same space as the characters. [Shiobara Monogatari Museum Facility Information] • Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM • Admission Fee: Adults 300 yen / Children, Seniors (65 and over), and Persons with Disabilities 200 yen

Collect all the stamps by visiting the literary monuments located in Shiobara Onsen and receive a clear file featuring the same design as the key visual. • Event Period: March 20th (Fri) – April 19th (Sun), 2026 • Participation Fee: Free • Stamp Spots: 6 locations (5 facilities) *Shiobara Monogatari-kan (Ozaki Koyo), Masuya (Yosano Tekkan), Kamiaizuya (Kunikida Doppo), Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato (Natsume Soseki, Muroo Saisei), Hotel New Shiobara Yusenkyo (Tanizaki Junichiro) • Estimated Time: Approximately 1 hour on foot [How to participate] 1. Obtain a stamp rally sheet distributed at the Nasushiobara City Tourism Bureau or Shiobara Onsen Tourism Association. 2. Visit the literary monuments with banners and collect stamps. 3. Show your completed stamp sheet at the Nasushiobara City Tourism Bureau or Shiobara Onsen Tourism Association to receive a clear file. Exchange location: Nasushiobara City Tourism Bureau or Shiobara Onsen Tourism Association. Notes: One time per person. The locations of stamp spots, can badges, and life-size panels may differ.

During the collaboration period, we will be holding tours of literary monuments on weekends only, incorporating anecdotes about famous authors. Literature lovers are especially welcome to participate. ▶Click here for details on the literary monument tour▶Click here to make a reservation

Can badges featuring each of the 10 characters appearing in this collaboration will be sold at restaurants, tourist facilities, and accommodations around Shiobara Onsen. The designs feature the “Yashio Azalea,” the official flower of Nasushiobara City, and the “Iroha Maple,” which is common around the Crimson Suspension Bridge, and these are limited edition can badges for this collaboration. The can badges will be sold at facilities where life-size panels of the characters are installed.

Customers who purchase limited-edition can badges or other items from the facility at the can badge sales location will receive a limited-edition paper bag. The bag features a chic design with a logo inspired by “Bungo to Alchemist” and Shiobara Onsen, and is large enough to fit A4 size documents.

Life-size panels of 10 characters will be placed in eight locations around Shiobara Onsen, including restaurants, tourist facilities, and accommodations. In addition, Ozaki Koyo’s panel will be placed in front of the Crimson Suspension Bridge, and Yosano Tekkan’s panel will be placed inside the Shiobara Monogatari Museum, allowing you to take photos in the same composition as the clear file you can get by collecting stamps. Enjoy strolling through the hot spring town while searching for your favorite character. [Featured Characters] Natsume Soseki, Tanizaki Junichiro, Shimazaki Toson, Muroo Saisei, Ozaki Koyo, Kunikida Doppo, Koda Rohan, Tokutomi Roka, Saito Mokichi, Yosano Tekkan

・Natsume Soseki: Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato (footbath facility) ・Tanizaki Junichiro: Soba Cafe Hiro (restaurant) ・Shimazaki Toson: Shiobara 1200-nen Monogatari/BLESS (restaurant, souvenir shop) ・Muro Saisei: Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato (footbath facility) ・Ozaki Koyo: Shiobara Monogatari-kan (tourist facility) ・Kunikida Doppo: Kami Aizuya (accommodation) ・Koda Rohan: Kameya Honpo (souvenir shop, Tote-yaki shop) ・Tokutomi Roka: Momijidani Suspension Bridge (tourist facility) ・Saito Mokichi: Cheese Garden Shiobara Coffee (restaurant, souvenir shop) ・Yosano Tekkan: Shiobara Monogatari-kan (tourist facility) *The characters may differ from those at the stamp rally spots.

・Operating dates March: 20th (Fri), 21st (Sat), 22nd (Sun), 28th (Sat), 29th (Sun) April: 4th (Sat), 5th (Sun), 11th (Sat), 12th (Sun), 18th (Sat), 19th (Sun) ・Operating times Outbound: Departs JR Nasushiobara Station (West Exit) at 10:00, arrives at Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato at 11:00 Return: Departs Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato at 15:30, arrives at JR Nasushiobara Station (West Exit) at 16:30 ・Fare One way: Adults 1,500 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 800 yen ・Capacity 40 people per trip ・Payment method On-site payment, cash only Please pay at the following location by the departure time. Outbound: Nasu Area Tourist Information Center, 2nd floor, West Exit of JR Nasu-Shiobara Station Return: In front of the exit of Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato *A numbered ticket will be given to those who have paid. Please hand the numbered ticket to the bus driver when boarding. ・Boarding benefits Boarding benefits will be given in exchange for the numbered ticket. Outbound: Limited edition original bookmark for “Nasu-Shiobara Literary Walk x Literary Masters and Alchemists”, Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato usage ticket Return: Limited edition original bookmark for “Nasu-Shiobara Literary Walk x Literary Masters and Alchemists”, hot spring bath salts *The design of the original bookmark will differ between the outbound and return journeys. ・Meeting and departure locations 〇Outbound meeting: Nasu Area Tourist Information Center, 2nd floor, West Exit of JR Nasu-Shiobara Station Departure: JR Nasu-Shiobara Station (West Exit) bus rotary 〇Return meeting: In front of the exit of Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato Departure: Shiobara Onsen Yuppo no Sato parking lot ・Reservations Advance reservations are required to board. Reservations are made for one-way trips only. If you wish to travel round trip, please make separate reservations for the outbound and return journeys. If there are seats available on the day of travel, passengers without reservations may board. To cancel, please contact the Nasushiobara City Tourism Bureau (0287-46-5326). ▶Click here to make a reservation

At Cafe Restaurant Yoto, located on the second floor of the Shiobara Monogatari Museum, they will be offering a limited-time menu for the stamp rally, including non-alcoholic cocktails inspired by literary figures who visited Shiobara Onsen, a sweets set that Natsume Soseki loved, and a special bento box. Customers who order from the limited-time menu will receive a limited-edition coaster at random. Some drinks are also available for takeout.