Shopping Guide
Nov. 1, 2014 is the 40th anniversary of Hello Kitty. To celebrate, an exciting event called “My Melody’s Christmas Market” featuring many popular characters including Hello Kitty and My Melody is going on now until Dec. 25 at the Sanrio Puroland theme park.
Taking place primarily in the new SanrioTown area that just opened in July of this year, the event features limited goods and food items that can only be purchased at Puroland. Attendees can also enjoy a special greeting event at which they can meet Sanrio characters dressed as Santa. Let’s take a closer look at this extremely cute and heartwarming Christmas event by checking out the huge 40th anniversary celebratory parade, the attractions, and the all around seasonal festivities at Puroland.
The inside of Puroland is decorated with a huge Christmas tree and wreath that wrapped us in a festive mood the second we stepped through the entrance. The walk-through attraction Lady Kitty House also has a gorgeously decorated Christmas tree. There are cute Christmas decorations all over the place, including another tree themed after Little Twin Stars. We had a good time finding all of them.
Also, during the 40th anniversary festivities for Hello Kitty, an event for Hello Kitty to spread her thanks to everyone in Japan and around the world by giving them a hug is ongoing. In Lady Kitty House, attendees can hug Hello Kitty and get a “Hug and ‘Gyuu’ Certificate” to commemorate this special moment.
At My Melody’s Christmas Market, the attraction “My Melody & Kuromi - My Me Road Drive” has been updated, and many My Melody goods including those exclusive to Puroland are on sale.
Below are three products themed after winter and feature My Melody dressed as Santa that are only available at this event.
In addition to these, there are also original goods, many of which are related to Alice in Wonderland including Christmas goods from the popular official Alice store, Arundel.
At the food court, there is a menu so cute it will set your heart aflutter thanks to items based on the color pink such as the cute “Mari Land Xmas Plate,” the additional pretzel set that features My Melody, and a Churritos cup set - all of which can be ordered for take out. In addition to sweets, the well-known Christmas Market lineup that includes sausage sets and German beer is also available.
Another highlight of the My Melody Christmas Market is the live show “My Melody’s Christmas Party” in which members of the audience can get up and dance with My Melody, Kuromi, Pom Pom Purin, and Bon Bon Ribbon.
After the show, parkgoers can attend a special greeting and take a pictures with two of the characters.
Other than meeting characters at the shows and parade, parkgoers can also meet My Melody dressed as Santa.
There are several events that attendees can participate in that are themed around expressing thanks to fans. The first of these is the new 49-person parade “Arigato Everyone!” that focuses on Hello Kitty and her sister Mimi and also includes My Melody, Little Twin Stars, and others.
The parade features the names of parkgoers who happen to be celebrating their birthdays on that day announced on a slide along with comments congratulating Hello Kitty on 40 years, as well as the chance for children to dance with the characters. Seeing how much fun everyone was having, it’s clear that a lot of effort went into this first huge revamp of the parade in six years.
Puroland condenses the charm of Sanrio’s characters and splendidly recreates their worlds. With the chance to meet your favorite characters and get your hands on exclusive goods, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Puroland! If you can, make sure to experience the excitement that Puroland is bathed in during these anniversary festivities.
© 2013 Sanrio Co. Ltd.
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article written by Megumi Higashiashidani and translated by Jarrett Meuser.
