Sanrio Puroland (サンリオピューロランド), also known as Hello Kitty Land, is an indoor theme park located in Tama New Town, Tokyo, Japan. Opened on December 7, 1990, it hosts attractions, live shows, shopping outlets, and restaurants dedicated to Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, and Aggretsuko, in a manner akin to Disney theme parks. Sanrio Puroland attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year, and is ranked among the major theme parks in Japan, along with both Tokyo Disney Resort parks and Fuji-Q Highland. Sanrio also operates Harmonyland, an outdoor theme park in Oita Prefecture.

History

Sanrio Puroland was a "bald attempt" to challenge the Walt Disney company and its theme parks. During its conceptual phase, Sanrio Puroland was known by many names - first as Sanrio Communication World, as well as Sanrio Heart Park and Sanrio Piero Land. The original theme was going to be "communication", as opposed to Sanrio's existing works, including its characters. In 1985, Sanrio initiated a project called "Sanrio Science Culture Communication Center" (SSCCC) with the goal of constructing a theme park that would open in 1990 to coincide with Sanrio's 30th anniversary. To build knowledge on theme park operation, management, and interior design, Sanrio commissioned Landmark Entertainment Group to design two facilities - the Ginza Sanrio Gift Gate (a concept shop that was located at the same spot as the current Ginza flagship store of Tiffany and Co.) and Sanrio Phantasien (an indoor minipark that was located inside what is now the LaLaport TOKYO-BAY retail complex). The initial design phase began in 1987, and Sanrio Puroland broke ground on November 16, 1988. It took a team of 2,500 workers approximately two years to complete, at a cost of around JPY 60-70 million.

Early days

Sanrio Puroland opened on December 7, 1990, and would operate at a loss for the first few years of operation, due to factors such as the aftereffects of the Japanese asset price bubble burst and complaints from city locals.

Modern times

Notable temporary closures

Sanrio Puroland was temporarily closed from February 22 to July 20, 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Points of interest

Attractions

Rides

Sanrio Puroland offers visitors two dark rides. The Sanrio Characters Boat Ride, which tells the story of various Sanrio characters preparing for a party held by Hello Kitty, was the park's only ride until the opening of SANRIOTOWN in 2013, and with it the introduction of Mymeroad Drive, where riders are taken to a tour of Mariland (My Melody's homeland) via a rental car designed by Kuromi, My Melody's rival. Both rides offer commemorative photographs which can be separately purchased.

Walkthrough attractions

Sanrio Puroland has two walkthrough attractions, both found at SANRIOTOWN (second floor), as follows:

Other attractions

Visitors can ring Hello Kitty's Bell of Happiness, located inside the Tree of Wisdom. Other attractions inside Sanrio Puroland include five food factory displays (candy, juice, chocolate, bread, and ice cream), and a game corner with kids' rides, purikura booths, and UFO catchers.

Live entertainment

Main parades

The main parades of Sanrio Puroland take place around the Tree of Wisdom in Puro Village (first floor). The current main parade is "Miracle Gift Parade", which debuted in late 2015 to commemorate Sanrio Puroland's 25th anniversary. Past parades and seasonal parades are as follows: Past parades Seasonal parades

Stage shows

Sanrio Puroland hosts a variety of stage shows (both regular and seasonal) in various areas. Selected past and present shows are as follows: Märchen Theater Fairyland Theater

Other shows

Sanrio Puroland also hosts a daily fireworks show (during the summer) and various illumination shows.

Shops

Restaurants

In addition to these restaurants, there is the Dream Cafe (formerly Tea Time Terrace, seating capacity: 65 people), which is located on the fourth floor of Rainbow Hall. For a limited time, the cafe is open as “My Melody Dream Cafe,” “Cinnamoroll Dream Cafe, ” etc. (sponsored by Nissei) which offer original sweets and other items with the character designs. Additionally, on the first floor of Puro Village is Sweet Parlor, which offers a collection of drinks, character designed ice creams, etc.

Incidents

Footnotes

Citations