Hello Kitty is one of the most recognizable characters to come out of Japan, and was created by Sanrio in 1974. During that 50 year period she has evolved from a simple character into a global cultural icon, featuring on thousands of products, in TV shows and movies, and even as the inspiration behind theme parks like Tokyo's Sanrio Puroland and Oita's Harmonyland.
To celebrate half a century of all things Hello Kitty, the Tokyo National Museum Hyokeikan is hosting a Hello Kitty Exhibition, and it's said to be the largest-ever display of merchandise, original videos, and collaborative works with artists.
Explore Hello Kitty goods from the last 50 years
The exhibition includes a section dedicated to Hello Kitty merchandise released over the last 50 years, featuring everything from handbags and purses to mugs and cameras. Attendees can take a historical journey through some of these items, and explore the changes in Hello Kitty's fashion trends and styles throughout the decades.
Discover new illustrations created by 30 artists
The event will also include new illustrations created by 30 different artists under the theme of "Me and Kitty" specifically for the exhibition. It's a fun chance to explore some one-of-a-kind pieces!
Take some snaps at character photo spots
It wouldn't be an exhibition of all things cute without some dedicated photo spots, and one of them will include not just Hello Kitty but other Sanrio favorites like My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi.
Explore the collaboration with masterpieces from the Tokyo National Museum
One of the most interesting sections of the exhibition is the collaboration with masterpieces from the Tokyo National Museum. Hello Kitty incorporates herself into historic artworks like "The Beauty Looking Back" for some beautiful traditional-meets-modern fun.
Pick up some unique merchandise
If you're looking for a souvenir to commemorate your visit with, there will be a range of unique items – everything from event-exclusive plush toys to senbei (rice crackers) imprinted with Hello Kitty on them.
If you can't make the Tokyo exhibition, subsequent events will be held at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (Friday, March 7th, 2025 to Sunday, May 11th, 2025), and Kyoto's Kyocera Museum of Art (Thursday, September 25th, 2025 to Sunday, December 7, 2025).
Important note
At present, the official site notes that same-day tickets are not available at the venue. Please visit the link here which covers ways to get tickets, including convenience store and online options.
Getting there
The Tokyo National Museum Hyokeikan is located within Ueno Park, and can be accessed in around 10 minutes on foot from Ueno Station.
Kim Bergström @kim.b
Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here. 🍵🌼🌸
