Sanrio Puroland Guide: Celebrate 35 Years of Hello Kitty

On the outskirts of Tokyo in Tama New Town sits Sanrio Puroland: an indoor theme park dedicated to lovers of Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. With colorful attractions, live shows, themed restaurants, and character shops, Puroland is a dream destination for Sanrio lovers. In December 2025, the park celebrated its 35th anniversary, making it an especially exciting time to visit!

Introduction to Sanrio Puroland

Sanrio Puroland, also known as simply Puroland, first opened its doors on December 7, 1990. The park hosts rides, stage shows, parades, and character meet-and-greets, all themed around beloved Sanrio characters! Puroland ranks among the top theme parks in Japan, attracting over 1.5 million visitors per year. As of December 5, 2025 and until December 31, 2026, the park will be celebrating 35 years since its opening. This celebration will include special decorations, photo spots, events, and exclusive merchandise!

What is there to do at Sanrio Puroland?

To watch at Sanrio Puroland are several extravagant parades and lively stage shows, all featuring Hello Kitty and her friends. As of December 5, 2025, the main parade is “The Quest of Wonders Parade,” debuting to celebrate the park’s anniversary. Before it starts, fans line up early at the Tree of Wisdom in Puro Village to snag front row seats to watch their favorite Sanrio mascots live!

Another popular show, currently held at the Märchen Theater is the “KAWAII KABUKI” musical. Blending Sanrio characters and Kabuki, a form of Japanese drama, this show is a retelling of Momotaro, a traditional folktale. “KAWAII KABUKI” includes performances by Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, alongside a wide cast of dancers and stage actors! Meanwhile, at Fairyland Theater, “Byonwaa~Beyond words~,” a musical show starring My Melody and Kuromi, is available to watch!

The live performances at Puroland are unique to the park, and cannot be watched anywhere else. Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited, and the show lineups typically change every few years. While there, visitors are able to access a schedule of the particular showtimes for the day. They are free to watch any of their choosing (though there may be wait times). For those who aren’t able to visit the park in person, don’t worry! Virtual Sanrio Puroland recently opened in December 2025, allowing fans to visit from anywhere!

Available Rides and Other Attractions 

The main ride offered at Puroland is The Sanrio Characters Boat Ride, a cruise style ride. As you pass through a canal, you can see all of your favorite characters, such as Pompompurin, Pochacco, and more! My Melody Drive is the second ride offered at Puroland, Introduced in 2013. The ride takes guests on a drive through Mariland, My Melody and Kuromi’s homeland. Both rides also offer commemorative photos. Though Puroland offers more live shows and interactive events, the available rides are still essential to any visit!

At the park are various attractions and displays, such as the arcade style Game Corner. This section features crane machines, gashapon, and small rides for young children. Visitors are also free to explore any of the character greeting areas, at which they can meet and interact with different Sanrio characters. One of these is the Lady Kitty House, an attraction filled with several glamorous and dreamy rooms to explore, allowing you to meet and take a commemorative photo with Hello Kitty at the end. 

Each attraction is crafted with care to bring the magic and nostalgia of Sanrio characters to life for both children and adults!

Want some character-themed snacks? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition sweets, noodles, and drinks right to your doorstep and straight from Japan!

Restaurants and Shops

One highlight of Puroland are the various restaurants and cafes, all with themed menus. The Character Food Court, for example, serves various meals, such as curry, ramen, and hamburgers. If you’re craving dessert or a light snack instead, on the fourth floor is the Cinnamoroll Dream Cafe. Offered are assortment of sweets, snacks, and drinks, all designed around Cinnamoroll and his friends!

There are a variety of character goods shops in Sanrio Puroland, with the largest of them being the Entrance Shop. From plushies to keychains to household items, the Entrance Shop is filled to the brim with Sanrio themed goods, many exclusive to Puroland. Another shop to check out, located on the fourth floor, is the My Melody and Kuromi Shop. Goods dedicated to the two characters are sold, along with a themed photo spot. No matter what Sanrio character you are a fan of, you’re sure to find your favorite among these stores!

Why is Sanrio Puroland’s anniversary so special?

Since its opening, Sanrio Puroland has acted as a way for every type of fan to find joy in interacting with the characters they love. Not only in Japan, but fans from all around the world have come to visit Puroland for that experience. From snapping photos with their favorites to connecting with other fans, the theme park has become a place where people can share those happy memories. For its 35th anniversary, Puroland seeks to celebrate the smiles born at the park, and the emotional connections formed between people. Are you also a Sanrio fan? Who is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!