If you wish to see bodily manifestations of Good day Kitty, Japan might be the very best place on this planet to journey. Which is smart: The character was birthed within the nation’s Yamanashi prefecture within the mid-Nineteen Seventies.
Then again, whereas Good day Kitty stays ubiquitous in Japan (I’m speaking outlets, cafés and even a devoted part of a big theme park), the character isn’t practically as seen because it was even a decade in the past. Notably, the Good day Kitty Shinkansen ceased operations in 2026, and there are not any present plans to resurrect it.
Fortunately, decided vacationers can nonetheless plan a Good day Kitty itinerary, which can or might not focus as intently on Japan’s cutest cat as might have been potential up to now. Proceed studying to place your journey collectively!
The place Does Good day Kitty Come From?
When you’re fascinated by Good day Kitty Japan, you would possibly assume that the favored Sanrio character comes from someplace apparent, like Tokyo or Kyoto. Actually, whereas Sanrio is at the moment headquartered in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward, the corporate’s roots are literally in Yamanashi prefecture, which can be dwelling to Mt. Fuji (also referred to as Fuji-san—that’s the place the corporate’s title comes from!).
Whereas you will discover Good day Kitty throughout Japan (and, as I’m about to element beneath, in lots of a Sanrio retailer, theme park, cafe and past) she was technically born in Yamanashi: She first appeared in 1974, simply months after the formal institution of the Sanrio company. Which brings up one other fascinating level. Though Good day Kitty seems to be childlike, she’s truly nicely into center age!
The place to Go to Good day Kitty in Japan
Sanrio Puroland
When you’ve heard rumors a few Good day Kitty theme park in Japan, they’re true. Positioned in Tama, Tokyo, Sanrio Puroland is an indoor amusement park that has rides and reveals devoted to a variety of Sanrio characters, together with Good day Kitty herself. It’s among the finest Good day Kitty Tokyo experiences you possibly can have!
Good day Kitty airplane
Good day Kitty additionally has an airplane (nicely, a few them) painted in her likeness, although this has evoked some controversy exterior of Asia. Learn my good friend Becky’s overview of flying on one of many Good day Kitty EVA Air planes (you’ll wish to pay explicit consideration to this overview, because it’s concerning the aircraft that flies to Japan from time to time) or watch Good day Kitty herself inaugurate EVA Air’s Taipei-Houston route a couple of years in the past—to the sound of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” no much less. I assume it’s a little bit unusual that the Good day Kitty airline isn’t theoretically a Japanese one, however what are you able to do?
Good day Kitty lodge
There’s not a complete Good day Kitty lodge, however you possibly can reserve the “Good day Kitty” room on the Keio Plaza Tokyo Lodge, and so far as you’re involved you can be sleeping in a single! Keio Plaza Resorts in different places (corresponding to Hachijoji on the way in which to Mt. Fuji, and Tama close to Sanrio Puroland) additionally provide Good day Kitty-themed rooms.
Good day Kitty Shinkansen
Like these concerning the airplane, rumors of a Good day Kitty practice are true—or a minimum of they had been. Sadly, the restricted version Good day Kitty Shinkansen, which ran between Shin-Osaka and Hakata Stations, was withdrawn from service in mid-2026. As of now, JR has mentioned that there are not any plans to switch it, however I personally wouldn’t be too siure. Good day Kitty is so standard that it appears unwise to guess in opposition to her!
Good day Kitty outlets and cafés
When you’re searching for Good day Kitty in Tokyo you’ll wish to make a beeline for Shinjuku, the place you’ll discover Japan’s largest Good day Kitty show contained in the flagship Sanrio store. You can too discover Sanrio outlets in Tokyo’s Shibuya and Ginza areas, in addition to in Kyoto and Osaka and Sapporo; and Good day Kitty cafe places all through the nation. Word that the majority Good day Kitty cafes, as of the late 2020s, are pop-up installations relatively than everlasting ones.
Good day Kitty shrine
Whereas there was as soon as a Good day Kitty temple (which is to say a shrine that was very a lot not constructed to Good day Kitty herself, however which a fan of the character hijacked), it sadly not exists. Likewise, there is no such thing as a Good day Kitty museum to my information.
Particular Good day Kitty merchandise
You will discover a big quantity of regional Good day Kitty merchandise all through Japan, from the Good day Kitty Geisha in Kyoto, to a weird “black egg” model at Hakone‘s Owakudani, a geyser whose sulfur-rich water causes eggs cooked in it to show black.
Locations Associated to Different Sanrio Characters
Whereas Good day Kitty is way and away the most well-liked Sanrio character, Sanrio journey isn’t restricted to Good day Kitty in Japan. With this being mentioned, another characters (corresponding to Gudetama, which I’ve written about elsewhere on this website) have seen their stars rise and fall; the “lazy egg” had a number of years of recognition in Japan, however has all however disappeared within the nation as of the late 2020s.
On the aforementioned Sanrio Puroland (aka Good day Kitty World), in the meantime, you’ll not solely discover a “Character Foodcourt” that features dishes themed utilizing characters from Chococat all the way in which to Spottie Dottie. There’s even a devoted “My Melody Dream Cafe” for these of you who’re followers of the rabbit. And to be trustworthy, although I’ve tried to be as complete as potential on this submit, that is actually solely the start of Sanrio journey in Japan!
Different FAQ About Good day Kitty Locations
Is there a Good day Kitty Land in Japan?
There isn’t a “Good day Kitty Land” in Japan, per se, though you possibly can see Good day Kitty at Sanrio Puroland, which is positioned exterior of Tokyo. As a bonus, you too can see lots of Good day Kitty’s pals there, which is ideal (purrfect?) when you’re a Sanrio fan.
The place does Good day Kitty dwell?
Good day Kitty was created in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan. With this being mentioned, it’s troublesome to pin her right down to anybody dwelling—Good day Kitty lives in all our hearts, and in numerous outlets, eating places and different shops all around the globe. To make sure, Good day Kitty additionally has a big presence in Taiwan.
Is Sanrio Japanese or Chinese language?
Sanrio is a Japanese company, though its characters are additionally extremely popular in China. On that word, be sure to solely purchase Good day Kitty merchandise at official Sanrio shops in China, as “Pretend Kitty” swag may be very standard (and sometimes indistinguishable from the true factor).
The Backside Line
Whether or not you plan on executing these Good day Kitty Japan journey plans or are merely interested in how far-reaching Sanrio’s hottest character is in the true world, I hope this submit has been illuminating. Would you favor to go to Sanrio Puroland, or would you merely go to a Sanrio character store in Tokyo or Osaka and name it a day? Personally, I’m ready for the day when different characters (particularly, Gudetama) are as represented in Japan as Good day Kitty, however I’ll take all of the kawaii I can get for now, whether or not I see Good day Kitty in Osaka or anyplace else in Japan. Rent me to plan your subsequent Japan journey, whether or not or not it finally ends up specializing in Japan’s cutest cat.