Details of the largest-ever exhibition of merchandise and collaborative works have been released! "Hello Kitty Exhibition – When I change, Kitty changes too" November 1, 2024 (Friday) – February 24, 2025 (Monday, closed)

Collaboration with the Tokyo National Museum’s collection that can only be seen here and information on limited edition goods will be released one after another! Hello Kitty will be appointed as a special ambassador for the Tokyo National Museum and will be the first director in history for one day!

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, a popular character from Sanrio Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tomokuni Tsuji; hereinafter referred to as Sanrio), an exhibition entitled “Hello Kitty Exhibition: When I Change, Kitty Changes,” will be held at the Tokyo National Museum Hyokeikan (Ueno Park) from Friday, November 1, 2024 to Monday, February 24, 2025 (holiday).

This exhibition will unravel the uniqueness of Hello Kitty through various corners, including the largest-ever display of merchandise, original videos, and collaborative works with artists. There is plenty to see, including merchandise that will be familiar to all generations, as well as collaborative works that can only be seen at this exhibition.

In addition, it has been decided that Hello Kitty will serve as a special ambassador for the Tokyo National Museum during the duration of this exhibition.

Official exhibition website: https://hellokittyexhibition.com/

An exhibition of Hello Kitty goods that have changed to suit you for 50 years

This exhibition will feature a variety of Hello Kitty-themed items that were born from merchandise design, including a corner where a wall is filled with a variety of previously released goods, and a corner that photogenically depicts the changes in fashion trends and Hello Kitty.

In addition, in the corner explaining the collaborations that are essential to Hello Kitty’s history, over 100 pieces of “Local Kitty” series netsuke, the origin of Kitty’s transformation, will be on display. Other precious early collaboration items will also be on display, highlighting the uniqueness of Hello Kitty, who can “be close to anyone and anything.”

Merchandise display image

Local Kitty

Fashion exhibition image

A video work exclusive to this exhibition by video director Jun Makino will be released

In the exhibition’s original video work screening corner, director Makino Jun, who has worked on many commercials and music videos, will explain the evolution of Hello Kitty’s unique designs, which have captivated people. As trends change with the times, Hello Kitty’s designs have also always been new and have undergone change.

We will reveal the secrets that only Hello Kitty possesses and explain how she can change so dramatically.

*Video image

New illustrations for this exhibition! *Illustrations by 30 artists

This exhibition features illustrations created by 30 artists on the theme of “Me and Kitty,” created specifically for the exhibition.

Please enjoy the photos and think back to your memories with Kitty. *Some works excluded.

[Examples of participating artists]

(From left) Mame, Itousa, Red

A big photo spot featuring Sanrio characters where you can experience “cuteness” with your whole body

A huge photo spot will be set up where popular Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, My Melody, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi gather. Once you step inside, you can experience the “cute” world of Sanrio with your whole body. Take a memorable photo with your favorite characters. There will also be many other photo spots, so look forward to it!

Collaboration with masterpieces from the Tokyo National Museum

Hello Kitty will collaborate with famous masterpieces such as “The Beauty Looking Back,” “The Wind God and the Thunder God Screen” (Important Cultural Property) and “Otani Oniji III’s Edobei” (Important Cultural Property) from the Tokyo National Museum. In addition to being introduced in the exhibition, there will be snacks and miscellaneous goods on sale in the merchandise corner.

Collaboration with masterpieces from the Tokyo National Museum (partial list)

Hello Kitty Exhibition x Ginza Matsuzaki Senbei Original Shami-do 1,944 yen (tax included)

You can only buy it here! Information on limited edition goods is being released one after another!

In addition to stuffed toys, mascot holders, and the “Moji Moji Hello Kitty Series,” many cute goods with original designs will be available for sale at the exhibition. Product information will be updated regularly on the official SNS and website, so please check them out.

＜Products scheduled for release (partial list)＞ ※All prices include tax.

Stuffed animal mascot 2,640 yen M 4,620 yen S 3,520 yen

Mascot holder (16 types) 2,596 yen each

Mojimoji Hello Kitty Hand Towels 1,397 yen each

Hello Kitty has been appointed special ambassador for the Tokyo National Museum and will be the museum’s first-ever director for one day!

It has been announced that Hello Kitty will serve as a special ambassador for the Tokyo National Museum during the “Hello Kitty Exhibition – When I Change, Kitty Changes” which runs from Friday, November 1, 2024 to Monday, February 24, 2025 (holiday).

As a special ambassador, she will also serve as the one-day director of the Tokyo National Museum during the exhibition period to promote the “Hello Kitty Exhibition – When I Change, Kitty Changes -“. This will be the first time in the 152-year history of the Tokyo National Museum that a one-day director has been attempted. Please look forward to Hello Kitty’s further achievements, as she has taken on many challenges up to now.

■ “Hello Kitty Exhibition – When I change, Kitty changes too” Sponsoring company information

We are pleased to announce that the sponsors for the Tokyo exhibition have been decided. The three companies are as follows:

Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Company, Brother Industries, Ltd., TOPPAN Chloret Co., Ltd.

■Tour schedules for various locations are being decided one after another!

The exhibition is scheduled to be held in Okinawa from March to May 2025, in Fukuoka from June to August, in Kyoto from September to December, and in Nagoya from December to February 2026. Starting with the exhibition in Ueno, Tokyo, we will bring the charm of Hello Kitty to people all over Japan.

Previously mentioned reference information: “Hello Kitty Exhibition – When I change, Kitty changes too –” Exhibition details

[Venue] Hyokeikan, Tokyo National Museum (13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)

[Period] November 1, 2024 (Friday) to February 24, 2025 (Monday/Closed)

[Opening hours] 9:30-17:00 (until 19:00 on Fridays and Saturdays) (Entry is until 30 minutes before closing)

[Closed] Mondays (open on national holidays and public holidays, closed the following day. Open on Monday, February 10th.)

Closed on Tuesday, December 17th and from Thursday, December 26th to Wednesday, January 1st, 2025. *Only Hyokeikan will be open on Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th.

[Admission fee]

Adults: 2,000 yen (1,800 yen), university and vocational school students: 1,800 yen (1,600 yen),

Junior high and high school students: 1,600 yen (1,400 yen), elementary school students: 1,000 yen (800 yen)

＜Ticket sales＞ Ticket Pia https://w.pia.jp/t/hellokitty-ex/

*Prices include tax. (Prices in parentheses are advance ticket prices. Advance tickets will be on sale until October 31st (Thursday).

* Free for preschool children, people with disabilities and one caregiver. Please present your disability certificate when entering.

*You can also view the General Cultural Exhibition (permanent exhibition) with your admission ticket for this exhibition on the same day. However, this is only available on the days when the General Cultural Exhibition is held.

*Event information may be subject to change. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.