If you want to see physical manifestations of Hello Kitty, Japan is probably the best place in the world to travel. Which makes sense: The character was birthed in the country’s Yamanashi prefecture in the mid-1970s.
On the other hand, while Hello Kitty remains ubiquitous in Japan (I’m talking shops, cafés and even a dedicated section of a large theme park), the character is not nearly as visible as it was even a decade ago. Notably, the Hello Kitty Shinkansen ceased operations in 2026, and there are no current plans to resurrect it.
Thankfully, determined travelers can still plan a Hello Kitty itinerary, which may or may not focus as intently on Japan’s cutest cat as may have been possible in the past. Continue reading to put your trip together!
Where Does Hello Kitty Come From?
If you’re thinking about Hello Kitty Japan, you might assume that the popular Sanrio character comes from somewhere obvious, like Tokyo or Kyoto. In fact, while Sanrio is currently headquartered in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward, the company’s roots are actually in Yamanashi prefecture, which is also home to Mt. Fuji (also known as Fuji-san—that’s where the company’s name comes from!).
While you can find Hello Kitty all around Japan (and, as I’m about to detail below, in many a Sanrio store, theme park, cafe and beyond) she was technically born in Yamanashi: She first appeared in 1974, just months after the formal establishment of the Sanrio corporation. Which brings up another interesting point. Although Hello Kitty appears to be childlike, she’s actually well into middle age!
Where to Visit Hello Kitty in Japan
Sanrio Puroland
If you’ve heard rumors about a Hello Kitty theme park in Japan, they’re true. Located in Tama, Tokyo, Sanrio Puroland is an indoor amusement park that has rides and shows dedicated to a number of Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty herself. It’s one of the best Hello Kitty Tokyo experiences you can have!
Hello Kitty airplane
Hello Kitty also has an airplane (well, a couple of them) painted in her likeness, though this has evoked some controversy outside of Asia. Read my friend Becky’s review of flying on one of the Hello Kitty EVA Air planes (you’ll want to pay particular attention to this review, since it’s about the plane that flies to Japan on occasion) or watch Hello Kitty herself inaugurate EVA Air’s Taipei-Houston route a few years ago—to the sound of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” no less. I guess it’s a little strange that the Hello Kitty airline isn’t theoretically a Japanese one, but what can you do?
Hello Kitty hotel
There’s not an entire Hello Kitty hotel, but you can reserve the “Hello Kitty” room at the Keio Plaza Tokyo Hotel, and as far as you’re concerned you will be sleeping in one! Keio Plaza Hotels in other locations (such as Hachijoji on the way to Mt. Fuji, and Tama near Sanrio Puroland) also offer Hello Kitty-themed rooms.
Hello Kitty Shinkansen
Like those about the airplane, rumors of a Hello Kitty train are true—or at least they were. Sadly, the limited edition Hello Kitty Shinkansen, which ran between Shin-Osaka and Hakata Stations, was withdrawn from service in mid-2026. As of now, JR has said that there are no plans to replace it, but I personally wouldn’t be too siure. Hello Kitty is so popular that it seems unwise to bet against her!
Hello Kitty shops and cafés
If you’re looking for Hello Kitty in Tokyo you’ll want to make a beeline for Shinjuku, where you’ll find Japan’s largest Hello Kitty display inside the flagship Sanrio shop. You can also find Sanrio shops in Tokyo’s Shibuya and Ginza areas, as well as in Kyoto and Osaka and Sapporo; and Hello Kitty cafe locations throughout the country. Note that most Hello Kitty cafes, as of the late 2020s, are pop-up installations rather than permanent ones.
Hello Kitty shrine
While there was once a Hello Kitty temple (which is to say a shrine that was very much not built to Hello Kitty herself, but which a fan of the character hijacked), it sadly no longer exists. Likewise, there is no Hello Kitty museum to my knowledge.
Special Hello Kitty merchandise
You can find a significant amount of regional Hello Kitty merchandise throughout Japan, from the Hello Kitty Geisha in Kyoto, to a bizarre “black egg” version at Hakone‘s Owakudani, a geyser whose sulfur-rich water causes eggs cooked in it to turn black.
Destinations Related to Other Sanrio Characters
While Hello Kitty is far and away the most popular Sanrio character, Sanrio travel is not limited to Hello Kitty in Japan. With this being said, some other characters (such as Gudetama, which I’ve written about elsewhere on this site) have seen their stars rise and fall; the “lazy egg” had several years of popularity in Japan, but has all but disappeared in the country as of the late 2020s.
At the aforementioned Sanrio Puroland (aka Hello Kitty World), meanwhile, you’ll not only find a “Character Foodcourt” that includes dishes themed using characters from Chococat all the way to Spottie Dottie. There’s even a dedicated “My Melody Dream Cafe” for those of you who are fans of the rabbit. And to be honest, though I’ve tried to be as comprehensive as possible in this post, this is really only the beginning of Sanrio travel in Japan!
Other FAQ About Hello Kitty Places
Is there a Hello Kitty Land in Japan?
There isn’t a “Hello Kitty Land” in Japan, per se, although you can see Hello Kitty at Sanrio Puroland, which is located outside of Tokyo. As a bonus, you can also see many of Hello Kitty’s friends there, which is perfect (purrfect?) if you’re a Sanrio fan.
Where does Hello Kitty live?
Hello Kitty was created in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan. With this being said, it’s difficult to pin her down to any one home—Hello Kitty lives in all our hearts, and in countless shops, restaurants and other outlets all around the world. To be sure, Hello Kitty also has a large presence in Taiwan.
Is Sanrio Japanese or Chinese?
Sanrio is a Japanese corporation, although its characters are also very popular in China. On that note, make sure you only buy Hello Kitty merchandise at official Sanrio outlets in China, as “Fake Kitty” swag is very popular (and often indistinguishable from the real thing).
The Bottom Line
Whether you intend on executing these Hello Kitty Japan travel plans or are simply curious about how far-reaching Sanrio’s most popular character is in the real world, I hope this post has been illuminating. Would you prefer to go to Sanrio Puroland, or would you simply visit a Sanrio character shop in Tokyo or Osaka and call it a day? Personally, I’m waiting for the day when other characters (namely, Gudetama) are as represented in Japan as Hello Kitty, but I’ll take all the kawaii I can get for now, whether I see Hello Kitty in Osaka or anywhere else in Japan. Hire me to plan your next Japan trip, whether or not it ends up focusing on Japan’s cutest cat.
