Hello Kitty’s Tokyo

This year Hello Kitty turns 35. Looking little different than she did the day she was born, the perennially cute white cat with a ribbon in her hair has become a worldwide phenomenon. As one of Japan’s top pop-cultural exports, her 35th anniversary is an event being marked by Kitty fans all over the world: collaborations involving some of the world’s top brands to produce a variety of products ranging from 35th anniversary fashion items to books, special events and even theatrical shows— events that cater to today’s young fans and adults who still love her.
The newly refurbished Sanrioworld GINZA re-opened on Oct 30 and is a one-stop shop for those looking to increase their collection of Sanrio character items, especially all things Hello Kitty. Sanrio Puroland in Tamashi city, another mecca for Kitty fans, has already hosted a range of Kitty-related events this year.
Whether you’re a hardcore Hello Kitty collector, or just a more casual admirer, Kitty-chan’s 35th anniversary presents a special chance to stock up on those collector’s items and see some Kitty sights.

Meet Hello Kitty

Sanrio Puroland

Sanrio Puroland is an amusement and entertainment park full of Sanrio sights popular with Hello Kitty and general Sanrio fans. Even the rain won’t ruin the hyper-cute fun, as the park is sheltered from the weather. In celebration of 35 years of Hello Kitty, Sanrio Puroland has themed performances like ‘Hello Kitty Wizard of Oz’ (dates and times vary, so check the website). Puroland has gone all-out having the show produced by Takarazuka writer and director Shuichiro Koike. The show gets a bit of that Takarazuka extravagance and splendour, too. After the show, have an anniversary photo taken in Kitty-chan’s private lair, the Kitty House.

Address: 1-31 Ochiai, Tama, Tokyo
Enquiries: Sanrio Puroland Guest Centre (042)339 1111
Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat–Sun and nat. holidays 10am–6pm (times may be subject to change), closed: Dec 3, Dec 10 and Dec 17 (see website for future closings)
Admission: Adults ¥4,400, 12-17years ¥4,000, 4-11years ¥3,300
Website: www.puroland.jp/

Tama Center Illumination 2009

Runs until Thursday Jan 7 2010 (Hello Kitty displays close on Dec 25) Each year, the area on the south side of Tama Center station, not far from Sanrio Puroland, is transformed into a space populated by lit up sculptures and illumination displays comprised of more than 400,000 lights. The original Hello Kitty Illumination 2009 and Hello Kitty Balloon Illumination exhibitions are included in the display— making this a place where visitors have the chance to meet a one of a kind Kitty. The displays are lit up from 4:30pm until 11pm, and start at 4pm at the weekends and holidays. The Hello Kitty displays, along with a display of companion Sanrio character Cinnamoroll, are illuminated until 9:30pm.

Location: Tama Center station, Tama Toshi Monorail
Enquiries: Tama Center Illumination 2009 Executive Committee
(042)339 3321 (Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm)
Website: www.tamacenter-cm.com/illumi/2009/

Shopping for Hello Kitty

Sanrioworld GINZA

Sanrio’s flagship store was re-opened in late October 2009 with the largest selection of Sanrio goods in Japan, amassing all the Sanrio characters together in one epicentre of saccharine cuteness. A statue of Hello Kitty standing on a white globe greets shoppers, and the store is systematically divided into five zones with seven distinct categories including a Hello Kitty Store, and Kiki and Lala themed boutiques modelled on the characters Little Twin Stars. The store stocks a staggering 10,000 items— perfect if you’re looking for that special Sanrio gift, but be careful you don’t get overloaded with twee sweetness.

Address: Nishi-Ginza Department Store 2nd floor
4-1 Nishi-Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)3566 4040
Open: Mon-Tue Sat 11am–8:30pm, Wed-Fri 11am–9pm, Sun and nat. Holidays 11am–8pm
Website: sanrioworld.blog.sanrio.jp/

Ginza Questina

Ginza Questina mainly caters to women in their twenties and thirties, and is a leg up your usual Sanrio specialty shop. This boutique style shop stocks bags, travel accessories, clothing and custom made bouquets all with a Sanrio spin. You’ll also find the world’s first nail salon offering Hello Kitty nail artwork, ‘nail elut's By VIENS VIENS’, and a corner dedicated to custom Swarovski Crystal Kitty goods, ‘HELLO KITTY with Bling Me!’.

Address: Nishi-Ginza Department Store 1st floor
4-1 Nishi-Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)3566 4060
Hours: Mon-Tue Sat 11am–8:30pm, Wed-Fri 11am–9pm, Sun and nat. Holidays 11am–8pm
Website: ginza.questina.sanrio.jp/

Tour Tokyo with Hello Kitty

Hato Bus double-decker Hello Kitty tours

These popular Tokyo tours take place on one of two elaborately painted Hello Kitty double-decker buses – the ‘Hello Kitty No.1’ and the ‘Hello Kitty No.2’. Not knowing on which bus your tour will take place until the actual day is all part of the fun. The buses first appeared in spring 2009, displaying Hello Kitty both on their exteriors, interiors, ceilings and even their seats. In addition to the usual tour guides, both buses have GPS systems that, depending on the location of the bus, automatically give relevant tour information via headphones in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. For further information, point your browser to the Hato Bus website.

Enquiries and bookings: Hato bus booking centre (03)3761 1100 (8am–8pm) Bookings may also be made online.
Web: www.hatobus.com/

Read Hello Kitty

‘Tears of Kitty’ (by Yuko Yamaguchi, edited by Aya Mori)

For Kitty fans wanting to improve their Japanese reading skills, Yuko Yamaguchi chronicles her experiences as the third designer responsible for helping make Kitty the national idol that she is today. ‘What needed to be done to make Kitty into a hit?’ ‘How could she break the mould created by the previous designers?’— the answers to these questions, she found, were connected to the strength she would need to succeed in the male dominated society of the time. The book also doubles as Yamaguchi’s message of encouragement to today’s working women and students who are trying to achieve their goals and ambitions.

Publisher: Shueisha Inc.
Price: ¥1,200
Website: books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-780544-4&mode=1

‘2010 Hello Kitty Dreams Come True Happy Book’

A Hello Kitty personal organizer, this notebook is said to have the power to make dreams written in it come true. The organizer, apart from a day planner and notebook, also contains guides for star signs, blood types, 2010 fortunes, and a space especially reserved for diary entries. A simple retro Hello Kitty design from the 70s is featured throughout the book. Though in Japanese, Kitty fans can still enjoy planning their day with their favourite character.

Publisher: WAVE Publishers Co., Ltd.
Price: ¥1,260
Website: www.wave-publishers.co.jp/np/isbn/9784872904420/