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Calling All Sanrio Fans! The Cutest Airport in Japan 🛫 Oita Hello Kitty Airport 🛬 Lands April 13th

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Sanrio lovers, it’s time to visit Japan! If you’ve ever dreamed of being welcomed by Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and My Melody the moment you step off a plane, now’s your chance. Starting April 13, 2025, Oita Airport in Japan is getting an adorable makeover and will temporarily be known as Oita Hello Kitty Airport. (Yes, it’s all real, and it’s as cute as it sounds.)

Welcome to Oita Hello Kitty Airport

This April surprise is no joke! In a special collaboration between Oita Prefecture and Sanrio Entertainment (the team behind Sanrio’s theme parks), Oita Airport is officially (if temporarily) rebranding itself as Oita Hello Kitty Airport” in a special initiative inspired by EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai. This unique airport transformation is part of a larger tourism campaign hoping to provide the many foreign travelers arriving in Japan for this major international event with a particularly warm welcome, but only Oita Airport will be transfigured into a kawaii wonderland from April 13 to October 13, 2025!

Image Source: Sanrio Entertainment

Oita Prefecture is a little off the radar for most foreign visitors coming to Japan despite its popularity among domestic travelers, and the airport is using this opportunity to offer what they’re calling the warmest welcome in the world. Travelers willing to go a little off the beaten path and fly into Oita will now be greeted by a cast of Sanrio’s most beloved characters, including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, My Melody, and Kuromi!

Hot Springs Meets Kawaii Culture

Image Source: Sanrio Entertainment

What’s Oita famous for? Hot springs! And it looks like even Sanrio characters can’t resist a good soak. Oita Hello Kitty Airport will offer adorable photo spots with Sanrio characters relaxing in the region’s famous onsen, the perfect backdrop for snapping cute pictures as soon as your trip to Oita begins. Each spot offers the perfect fusion of Japan’s renowned onsen culture and Sanrio’s unbeatable cuteness.

Hello Kitty Takes the Stage

Image Source: Sanrio Entertainment

Hello Kitty herself made a special appearance at the press conference announcing the airport makeover, adding even more sparkle to the event. The fact that Hello Kitty is not a cat (but, in fact, a little girl) may have taken the internet by storm in recent years, but did you know she’s also a talented PR spokesperson as well? According to Kitty-chan (as she’s known in Japan), this initiative aims to showcase the best of Oita’s hospitality and the many charms of the area, from hot springs to theme parks and much, much more, all starting from the moment you land at the airport.

From Oita to the World: Harmonyland’s 35th Anniversary

Fans of Hello Kitty and all her Sanrio friends might be left wondering, “why Oita?” But the answer is actually quite simple: Oita Prefecture is home to Harmonyland, one of only two official Sanrio theme parks in Japan! (The other being Tokyo’s Sanrio Puroland.) Next year, Harmonyland is celebrating its 35th anniversary, and between all the EXPO festivities and the anniversary celebration preparations, everyone involved decided that this is the perfect time to spotlight the region – including all of its Sanrio charms.

Top: Sanrio Puroland, Bottom: Sanrio Harmonyland

Sanrio Entertainment CEO Aya Komaki shared her hopes at the press conference, explaining that the EXPO 2025 event will be a platform to “say hello from Oita to the world,” helping more international travelers discover the magic of Harmonyland and the greater Oita Prefecture.

A Whole Sanrio Travel Experience (More Than Just an Airport!)

The Hello Kitty-themed fun won’t stop at the walls of Oita Hello Kitty Airport! From August through October 2025, a special shuttle bus service will run between Oita Hello Kitty Airport and Harmonyland, ensuring that the Sanrio magic continues from runway to rollercoaster. In September, Oita Prefecture will also be opening a dedicated Harmonyland exhibition area at the EXPO 2025 in Osaka! So even if you’re just visiting the EXPO, you’ll get a little peek into the cuteness and excitement of Oita’s Sanrio-themed amusement park.

Plan Your Kawaii Getaway to Oita Now!

If you’re a die-hard Sanrio fan, it’s time to start planning your trip to Oita. From soothing hot springs and mouthwatering local cuisine to adorable Hello Kitty attractions of all kinds, Oita Prefecture, Oita Hello Kitty Airport, and Harmonyland are ready to welcome you with open arms (and paws).

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

Original Article in Chinese by Sen Iku
English Edition by Sophia Appelbaum

Japankuru Chinese Editorial Team

Japankuru Chinese Editorial Team

Stories from Japankuru's Taiwanese staff.

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