Latest news with #OitaAirport
IOL News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Oita Airport becomes a Hello Kitty wonderland: where travel meets cuteness
Sanrio's character, Hello Kitty, outside Oita Hello Kitty Airport in Japan. In a delightful fusion of travel and fandom, Japan's Oita Airport is embracing cuteness like never before and has rebranded itself as "Hello Kitty Airport". This whimsical initiative comes as part of a broader strategy aimed at attracting a torrential influx of tourists for the World Expo in Osaka, currently taking place in the country. According to reports from Kyodo News, Oita Prefecture, nestled in the picturesque island of Kyushu in the southwestern region of Japan, is strategically positioning itself to entice visitors with its unique offerings. Japan is known as a destination for anime, manga and out-of-this-world theme parks. Known for hosting a Sanrio character theme park, Harmonyland, the airport will don its new identity for a full six months, making it a focal point for those keen to explore more after arriving for the expo. As visitors step through the gates of Oita Hello Kitty Airport, they will be greeted by a veritable celebration of the iconic character, created by Yuko Shimizu and now delightfully designed by Yuko Yamaguchi. With her signature red bow and three whiskers, Hello Kitty has transcended her status as a fictional feline to become a global phenomenon beloved by millions.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Japan Unveils Adorable Hello Kitty Airport
Japan has transformed Oita Airport into a kawaii wonderland that will make Sanrio fans swoon. The newly rebranded Oita Hello Kitty Airport officially opened on April 13, 2025, as part of the festivities surrounding the World Expo underway in Osaka. This first-of-its-kind themed airport features adorable Hello Kitty and Sanrio character decorations throughout the facility, from the exterior signage to the international arrivals area. During their visit, travelers can enjoy special photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise, and themed services. The makeover coincides with Japan's efforts to boost tourism during the World Expo period, offering visitors a uniquely Japanese experience that combines the country's love for cute characters with practical transportation infrastructure. According to CNN, the temporary rebranding will remain in place until October 13, 2025. The transformation was celebrated with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring appearances by beloved Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi. Visitors to the airport can enjoy special photo spots designed to showcase Oita's famous hot springs. The highlight is an oversized bathing bucket where travelers can pose alongside Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, and My Melody. These Instagram-worthy spots create memories for fans of all ages. Hello Kitty fans also won't leave empty-handed. The airport's souvenir shop offers exclusive Oita Hello Kitty Airport merchandise that can't be found anywhere else. Travelers can purchase keychains, T-shirts, clear files, and themed cookies to commemorate their visit. Additionally, passengers departing from the airport receive special Sanrio-themed luggage tags as a parting gift. The airport experience extends beyond the terminal. A new dedicated bus service connects travelers directly from Oita Hello Kitty Airport to Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland, about an hour away in Oita's Hayami district. This convenient service makes it easier for Sanrio enthusiasts to enjoy both attractions while visiting the post Japan Unveils Adorable Hello Kitty Airport appeared first on Travel Noire.
Hype Malaysia
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Japan Rebrands An Entire Airport To Be Hello Kitty Themed
Japan, the land of the rising sun and the birthplace of the beloved Sanrio Character, Hello Kitty. Known for her cuteness and iconic red bow, the Hello Kitty craze has gone above and beyond, marking years of popularity that never seem to die down. In an adorable blend of travel and fandom, Oita Airport has rebranded itself to be a 'Hello Kitty Airport', packed with Hello Kitty-themed signage, a souvenir shop with exclusive merchandise and a photo zone with giant bath buckets (a tribute to Oita's famous hot springs). A newly added bus service that connects the airport to Sanrio's Harmonyland theme park is also available! The Oita Airport will hold its Hello Kitty theme for six months, running from 13th April to 13th October. The airport sits strategically near the Sanrio-themed Harmonyland theme park, just an hour away in the town of Hiji. The rebranding is an initiative to support a broader strategy aimed at attracting more visitors for the currently active World Expo 2025 held in Osaka. Japan invites visitors of the World Expo 2025, who are eager to explore more of what smaller prefectures have to offer, to visit Oita Airport. The rebranding is also part of Japan's larger initiative to leverage its entertainment franchise as the export of popular manga and anime makes it big on the international stage. For now, Oita is mainly attracting domestic travellers as bigger main destinations such as Tokyo and Osaka remain the main destinations for many international travellers. However, as more and more seasoned travellers search for less busy locations in the country, Oita prefecture could well be on its way to becoming the ideal destination! Would you travel to Oita to visit the Hello Kitty Airport? Source: Instagram Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
