Wishing a Very Kawaii New Year
Sanrio Puroland theme park will host its New Year’s festivities from December 26 to January 13 with a collaboration with popular actor Ken Matsudaira, cute decorations and photo spots, seasonal menus and character greetings with Hello Kitty and friends dressed in traditional Japanese clothing.
Matsuken Collaboration
During the New Year Festival Viva special show, Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel invites guests to dance to Ken Matsudaira’s “Matsuken Samba” at the Tree of Wisdom stage. The stage show will run from December 1 to January 6, and from January 10 to 12. Please note that Ken Matsudaira will not be making an appearance.
Along with the stage show, special photo spots will be set up on the third and fourth floors where guests can make a wish for the new year and take pictures with a Matsuken and Hello Kitty backdrop.
A wide variety of original collaboration goods will also be available at the Entrance Shop.
Character Greetings
During the event period, guests can meet their favorite Sanrio characters dressed up in kimono and hakama. Special greetings will be hosted at the Event Corner for an additional fee (¥3000, ¥4000 on January 4). Each participation ticket allows up to four guests to take photos and videos with the appearing character for one minute, and also includes a mini coloring paper with a stamp.
Greetable characters include Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, My Melody and Kuromi. To match with the 2026 zodiac animal, Turfy the horse will also be making a limited-time appearance on select dates. For a full appearance schedule, please visit the event website.
There are several other opportunities to see kimono-wearing characters with no additional charge. For about 10 minutes after Sanrio Puroland opens, random characters will welcome in guests. At Strawberry Hall, Dear Daniel, Wish Me Mel and Hello Mimmy will be available to greet guests from December 26 to January 6. A numbered ticket is required to access character greetings. Guests can obtain free numbered tickets from the venue’s greeting residence machines.
Event Menu
The seasonal menu will serve two new treats themed around the new year celebrations. The Matsuken Samba x Hello Kitty Dream Amigo Sweets parfait layers a roll cake, jellies, cream and dango. Customers who order this item will receive an original postcard.
The Cinnamoroll souffle roll cake is decorated to look like a kagami mochi. Customers who order this item will also receive an original postcard featuring the event’s key visual illustration.
