Japanese airport given full Hello Kitty rebrand for World Expo 2025
Don't freak out when you try to board a flight to this southwestern Japanese prefecture and the destination on the ticket says 'Hello Kitty' — you're definitely on the right plane.
Oita, a scenic region known for its natural hot springs on the Japanese island of Kyushu, has recently renamed its air hub Oita Hello Kitty Airport to lure fans and tourists.
The six-month rebrand, which runs from now through October 13, will inject the otherwise sleepy airport with an extra dose of the country's quintessential cuteness — or 'kawaii' in Japanese.
As expected, Hello Kitty (who is, by the way, not a cat) is everywhere.
Arriving passengers peeking through plane windows will get their first greetings from the Japanese character painted on the boarding bridge. As they make their way to the luggage conveyor belt, they will see posters of Hello Kitty dragging a suitcase and riding on a miniature plane.
The rebranding rides on the hype of Osaka Expo 2025 and seeks to offer an alternative destination to the already congested ones, as Japan grapples with record numbers of tourists. The tourism boom — which hit a record-breaking 10.5 million in the first three months of 2025 — has given the world's fourth-biggest economy a needed kick but also created headaches for locals.
'We hope to encourage more tourists, particularly those who typically visit high-traffic destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto, to travel to Oita instead,' a spokesman from Oita Prefectural Government's tourism bureau told CNN on Thursday.
Oita is about one hour away from Osaka by plane and four hours by train.
Joining Hello Kitty at the Oita airport are friends like My Melody, Little Twin Stars and Pochacco. All are characters from Sanrio, the merchandising company behind her universe of cuteness.
Why Oita, though? Sanrio runs a theme park called Harmonyland in the prefecture. The company will be selling exclusive Hello Kitty key chains and t-shirts at the domestic terminal.
'In addition to attracting visitors not only from major metropolitan areas such as the Tokyo and Kansai regions but also by highlighting the unique appeal of Oita Prefecture and Kyushu such as hot springs, nature, and cuisine, we aim to leverage the global popularity of Japan's Sanrio characters and their theme park,' Sanrio said in a statement.
'We are filled with the hope that this airport will become a bridge connecting countless smiles,' Sanrio Entertainment President Aya Komaki said during a recent launch, before touting Hello Kitty's slogan written on a flag she holds in posters at the airport: 'Hello from Oita to the world.'
Oita prefecture sits about 40 miles southeast of Fukuoka, Kyushu's biggest city, and is home to some of Japan's most sought-after onsen towns, like Beppu and Yufuin.
It's more popular among local tourists than international visitors, though. Almost 80% of 530,033 visitors recorded last month were domestic travelers.
The airport operates mainly domestic flights, but also runs a few international routes to Seoul in South Korea and Taipei in Taiwan.
It is not the first airport to name itself after the nation's much-worshipped cartoon characters, with Japanese manga and anime being among the country's most influential exports.
In the central city of Tottori, officials renamed its airport Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport in 2015 to pay tribute to 'Case Closed,' a Japanese manga and anime series about a child detective, Conan, who battles criminals with cool gadgets a la James Bond.
The neighboring Yonago Kitaro Airport also took its name from another manga and anime series, 'GeGeGe no Kitaro,' which follows the quest of a young boy named Kitaro who fights off demons — or yokai in Japanese — to protect humans.
Other airports have also featured popular characters from Super Mario Bros and Pokemon in their tourism campaigns, even though they weren't down for a name change.
The country with one of the most complex train networks in the world also puts its favorite characters on trains, including — guess who — Hello Kitty.
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USA Today
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
10 Teppanyaki restaurants in Singapore for an interactive dining experience [Jun 2025 Update]
Who doesn't like teppanyaki? You get to choose your own ingredients, watch your food being cooked right in front of you, and eat everything while it's still hot. Teppanyaki is a Japanese style of cooking that mainly involves cooking up pieces of seafood, meats and vegetables on a hot pan in front of diners. Here's a list of 10 teppanyaki restaurants in Singapore that you can visit for an interactive dining experience. As someone who's so accustomed to predictable set menus at a teppanyaki restaurant, the Japanese-style no-menu concept at MINSUIZEN RAKU Omakase Teppanyaki reignited that childlike excitement I thought I'd outgrown. The restaurant surroundings feature a serene garden and an illuminated fountain courtyard. Watch chefs perform culinary artistry at the open teppan counter, paired with elegant Japanese tableware for a full sensory immersion. Reservation required to savor the experience — your seat is secured only when booked ahead. Located on the 3rd floor of Frasers Tower in the heart of the CBD, this Taiwan-based restaurant not only has outlets in Taipei and Kaohsiung but also in Japan, Hong Kong, and now, finally, Singapore! The brand has ambitious expansion plans, with upcoming openings targeted in South Korea, the United States, Canada, and China, where they are currently exploring strategic locations. For 3 years, it's been renowned to be the most popular omakase teppanyaki brand in Taiwan, boasting 8,000+ Google reviews globally with an average rating of 4.8 stars. Besides being reputed for offering its customers excellent value, it's also part of the world's largest directly operated omakase teppanyaki chain — now, that's impressive! The chefs utilise the simplest seasoning to emphasise the original taste of premium ingredients. Each dish undergoes over 3 months of continuous testing and multiple evaluations before making it onto the menu. Every 2 months, new creations or subtle adjustments are introduced, ensuring that each visit feels fresh and different. Chef Stanley embarked us on our 12-course S$88++ & S$138++ menu that began with a trio of starters — a 6-hour long simmered lala soup, a truffle-infused angel hair pasta with sakura shrimps and tobiko, and a chawanmushi with truffle paste and a drizzling of Japanese chilli oil. One of the highlights was the grilled Hokkaido Scallop with Mala Sauce and Fried Tofu, finished off with a crowning of opulent salmon roe. Another dish that won us over was the Grilled black tiger prawns — served with their legs on, they were skillet-grilled to a satisfying crisp. The sauce was a sinful but yummy prawn head butter, sautéed and chopped. For the S$138++ menu, it comes with an unctuous and juicy Beef Slider. Sandwiched between 2 fluffy, grilled brioche buns, the meat patty was accentuated by a slice of parmesan crisp that was made on the spot. The slightly savoury and aromatic crisp paired really well with the tasty beef patty that was bursting with flavour. I was also served the luxurious, well-marbled Japanese Kumamato A5 Wagyu. It was flambéed, grilled to our desired doneness, and precisely portioned into bite-sized cubes. The dish was served with a rich red wine sauce and roasted garlic cloves. Each bite melted in my mouth like soft butter, perfuming my palate with an unsurpassed fragrance that's only derived from Wagyu. However, if some customers aren't accustomed to the rich and fatty taste of A5, they can opt for the A4 instead. It comes with slightly less fat and tastes meatier. Dine at MINSUIZEN RAKU Omakase Teppanyaki during your birthday month and enjoy a complimentary signature dessert from the chef as a special birthday treat. It's also a perfect spot to celebrate your wedding anniversary. Click here to book a table. +65 6514 1990 182 Cecil Street, Frasers Tower, #03-01/02, Singapore 069547 Daily: 12.30pm – 3pm & 5.15pm – 10pm Facebook | Instagram | Website The vision of Benihana Singapore at Millenia Walk started from a Japanese guy, Rocky Aoki, whose parents evolved their humble coffee shop into a full-fledged restaurant. He wanted patrons to have an exceptional dining experience, and thus in 1964, he opened the first Benihara restaurant on New York's West 56th street. There are 3 options from their menu starting from S$78++ for you to take your pick. The mid-tier (S$98++) set starts off with a cold salad, a hot appetiser and the Beni Egg Roll, For seafood, choose between the Jumbo Tiger Prawn and Hokkaido Scallop and you'll also enjoy the Aus M5 Wagyu Steak or Aus Lamb Steak. The feast doesn't stop there, you'll also sink your teeth into the Vegetable Volcano, Beni Onion Soup, Garlic Fried Rice, and a dessert. For a little more action and theatrics, you can also top up extra seafood such as Lobster Tail (+S$58), Korean Abalone (+S$38) and Norwegian Salmon Steak (+S$15). 9 Raffles Boulevard, Millenia Walk, #01-41/42/42A/43, Singapore 039596 Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 10pm | Whoever said teppanyaki can't be eaten alone, clearly has not heard of Gochiya. Recently opened, Gochiya offers individual teppanyaki sets with options for hamburg, tonkatsu and more from just S$14.80. Grill your favourite meats on a personal iron plate and savour the goodness all by yourself! Some of their best-sellers include the Signature Hamburg Combo (S$22.90), made from a blend of highly-prized meats, with 60% Iberico and Mexico pork and 40% Rubia Gallega beef, as well as their Thick Iberico Loin (S$19.90). They come with sides and sauces, making this meal a bang for your buck. 1 Bukit Batok Central, Westmall, #B1-14, Singapore 658713 Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 9.30pm Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 10pm Here's one for the Easties! Nestled at a void deck in Tampines is this cosy izakaya run by an ex-fine dining chef. They offer a range of meats for their teppanyaki, from the premium Beef Steak (S$26.90 for 200g) to more affordable bites like the (chicken thigh) (S$12.90) or (S$12.90). Choose between the Teppanyaki or Black Pepper sauce to complement the juicy meat! All teppanyaki sets come with a bowl of pearly Japanese rice, but I'd recommend topping up S$2 to complete your set that includes miso soup and a variety of side dishes. Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo 824 Tampines Street 81, Block 824, #01-22, Singapore 520824 +65 6904 0866 Daily: 11.30am – 10pm | With several outlets around Singapore, Express Teppanyaki aims to reach out to the masses by bringing affordable teppanyaki into our daily lives. You can choose from the customised sets or a la carte ingredients. The choice of ingredients includes tenderloin, fish fillets, beef ribs and scallops, just to name a few. It can get quite crowded during dinner time though, so get there early to avoid the queue! For a list of locations and opening hours, click here. Website 17 affordable Japanese food in Singapore that will make you go Oishii! Ajiya Okonomiyaki is popular for its DIY okonomiyaki but you can also opt to have teppanyaki. Choose from meats like the Kurobuta Pork (S$25.50 per 150g), U.S. Short Prime Rib (S$37.50 per 150g) and A5 Japanese Beef (S$60 per 150g), then cook it yourself at the teppanyaki counter top or get the chef to cook it for you. For those who choose not to sit by the teppanyaki table, the meats will be cooked and served on a plate before serving to you. 104 Jalan Jurong Kechil, Singapore 598603 +65 6463 3461 Tue to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm Sat & Sun: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm Closed on Mon | | Located in Pan Pacific Hotel, Keyaki Japanese Restaurant offers an extensive menu consisting of a mix of set courses and a la carte dishes. Find a variety of omakase, kaiseki, teppanyaki, sashimi, appetisers, grilled dishes, sushi and fried dishes. Their Classic Multi-Course is a selection of five set courses starting from S$220. Each set comes with an amuse bouche, a choice of sashimi or tempura, a range of seafood, wagyu, seasonal veggies and fried rice for the teppanyaki, finished off with miso soup and dessert. If that's not enough, try the a la carte dishes like the US Beef Tongue (S$35 per 100g), (S$50 for 2 pc), Whole Lobster (S$28 per 100g), Oyster (S$40) and Garlic Fried Rice (S$11). Besides teppanyaki, the range of sashimi Keyaki offers will leave you spoilt for choice: Scallop (S$10), Ark Shell (S$18) and Tuna Belly (S$23) galore. 7 Raffles Blvd, Pan Pacific Hotel Level 4, Singapore 039595 +65 6826 8240 Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm | | Not sure where to eat in Orchard Road without spending your entire month's salary? Here's another affordable teppanyaki stall situated in 2 Food Republics, one at 313@Somerset and the other at Wisma Atria. Sit by the counter top and you get to watch the chefs in action, flipping and cooking your ingredients on the teppan. From an affordable S$12.90, get your hands on the Black Pepper Sliced Chicken/Pork value set. Or if you're feeling a little more bougie, go for the Signature Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin Steak (S$18.80). Each set also comes with teppan vegetables, white rice, salad and the soup of the day. Sounds good right? Order Delivery: foodpanda For a list of locations, click . Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm | Pokemon-shaped okonomiyaki? I'm sold! Seiwaa Okonomiyaki and Teppanyaki is the place to unleash your creativity and DIY your Japanese savoury pancake on the teppan. Choose from a selection of Pork (S$15), Seafood (S$18), Beef (S$18) or Mix (S$20) and have fun cooking it yourself. There is also the Ocean Seafood Grill Set for 2 pax at S$86. It comes with salmon, squid, prawns, oysters, scallops and vegetables. Meat lovers can opt for the Flavour Meat Grill Plate (S$68) with pork, marinated chicken, bacon, lamb, beef and vegetables. Trust me when I say that you won't leave this place hungry – a slew of side dishes, noodles and rice will keep you full and satisfied. 72 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209400 +65 6291 6084 Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 11pm Closed on Sun | | Tatsu Teppanyaki is a cosy restaurant offering premium dishes with quality and freshness. There are four types of teppanyaki set courses to choose from, ranging from S$68 to S$178. Go for the affordable Set A (S$68) which will get you king prawns, beef, and an assortment of side dishes including garlic fried rice and Asari miso soup. Choose to sit by the counter and watch the chefs cook your dishes. The level of finesse and skill here is unparalleled! 30 Victoria Street, CHIJMES, #01-08, Singapore 187996 +65 6332 5868 Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm | | 19 best Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore [May 2025 update] The post 10 Teppanyaki restaurants in Singapore for an interactive dining experience [Jun 2025 Update] appeared first on
