Photo Credit: Gianne Karl Aballe
Hello Kitty is a “mouthless,” white anthropomorphic Japanese cat that wears a red bow in her “hair.” She was born in Japan in 1974, introduced in the United States in 1976 and the whole world by Sanrio since 2010. At 40 last 2014, Hello Kitty is a phenomenally “rich cat” worth $7 billion a year, without advertising.
It was originally targeting girls for its market. It is so popular and has stayed in the market for the past 40 years. To say that it has broadened its market to include adults is debatable. Rather, it is apparent the girls in the 70s seemed to have grown up with it, kept their love for Hello Kitty, and now their own girls are loving their own Hello Kitties.
A Destination for all Hello Kitty Fans
If you grew up with Hello Kitty and stayed completely beguiled by the charm of this cute feline, the Sanrio theme parks, Harmonyland and the indoor Sanrio Puroland in Disneyland-Japan make perfect destinations for you and your kids. Suzy Strutner writes about it in her post Hello Kitty Disneyland’ In Japan Is Absolute Purrfection for Huff Post Travel.
This is meow-velous news!
If jet setting on a Hello Kitty plane wasn’t enough, then feline fans should make haste to Sanrio Puroland, Hello Kitty’s very own wonderland in Japan.
This funky indoor theme park is a mecca for all things Kitty: Rides, gift shops and entire buffet restaurants are dedicated to Kitty and her bug-eyed friends.
Visit Hello Kitty in her house, where you’ll meet her and get to know “her hobby, fashion and comfort,” according to the park’s website. Take a boat ride, get your face painted or nosh on a pastry puff shaped like Kitty’s adorable face.
But stay for the live shows, which are musical anime explosions like you’ve never seen before.
Yet another shot of Sanrio Puroland’s entrance in Tokyo’s Tama Centre.
Have a Hello Kitty Sanrio Puroland Day!
This indoor theme park is in Tama City, just less an hour’s drive from Tokyo. It is smaller by comparison to Disneyland, but “name it you have it,” being dedicated to all things Kitty from Kitty house, rides, restaurants, festivities and entertainment to Kitty shops of assorted merchandises. You have to pull away from all these temptations or you end up with suitcases (still a cute Kitty designer one) of souvenirs and merchandises such as cellphone cases and straps, designer jackets and lots of novelty items
Most of the major attractions are located at the Puro Village marked by the towering Wisdom Tree at the middle of the park. You’ll find the Hello Kitty “Bell of Happiness” enshrined at the topmost part of the Wisdom tree. This where you can write wishes on an Ema bell-shape stationery and ring the bell. If you are looking for free entertainment, stay close to this central area of the park.
The “Disneyland” touch comes alive when Hello Kitty performs along with other Sanrio characters – My Melody, Cinnamoroll and Jewelpet – that must all be part of your childhood. If you still have the little girl inside you, how can you resist any pink, cutesy Hello Kitty omiyage (souvenir) even if it means parting with hard-earned money? A day in Sanrio Puroland does not come cheap. A “Welcome Ticket” that is good for entrance and all shows will cost an adult 3,000 Yen while it is 2,000 Yen for children. The “Passport Ticket” that is good for entrance and access to every attraction and show you want to watch costs 4,400 Yen for adults and 3,300 Yen for the little ones.
These are nothing, though if you’re a fan. Indeed “Hello Kitty Disneyland” fulfills all your childhood fantasies about the cat. Imagine visiting this cute feline right in her pink home, with a pink bedroom and having a photo taken with her? For all ye out there who take Hello Kitty very seriously, there is even a Kitty airplane to take you to places and a Kitty credit card to pay for your Hello Kitty flight, holiday and shopping.
