Hello Kitty now has her own airport in Japan

An airport in Japan will officially be renamed to “Hello Kitty Airport” this April as part of a new campaign aimed at promoting tourism.

Oita Airport will be collaborating with Harmonyland, a Sanrio theme park located in the same prefecture, to temporarily rename the airport to “Oita Hello Kitty Airport.”

Harmonyland Japan — Harmonyland, located in Oita Prefecture, is a theme park ran by Sanrio

According to information provided by Harmonyland, this temporary renaming, intended to create “the warmest airport in the world,” will be in effect from April to October, during which time Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters will welcome travelers arriving in the prefecture.

In a formal press release, Sanrio detailed that the renaming of Oita Airport to “Oita Hello Kitty Airport” represents the initial phase of a broader tourism campaign designed to promote Oita Prefecture.

Oita Airport, pictured, will now officially be known as "Oita Hello Kitty Airport" — Oita Airport, pictured, will now officially be known as “Oita Hello Kitty Airport”

Sanrio also announced that a dedicated shuttle service, operating between the airport and Harmonyland, will be available from August to October.

During a press conference, Oita Governor Kiichiro Sato expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating:

“Sanrio character parks are exclusively located in two places, one in Tokyo and one in Oita Prefecture.

Harmonyland is a wonderful spot in Oita Prefecture with a charm that can be shared with the world.

We hope that by promoting Oita Prefecture as a place people want to visit through this campaign, we will have a great synergistic effect.”

Aya Komaki, President of Sanrio Entertainment, also participated in the press event.

She highlighted that Harmonyland will be celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2026 and stated:

“In conjunction with the Expo 2025, we will be promoting the appeal of Harmonyland and Oita Prefecture through various measures, with the keyword ‘HELLO from Oita to the world.'”

A new shuttle service will operate between Oita Hello Kitty Airport and Harmonyland from August to October 2025

The campaign is being implemented in conjunction with the Expo 2025 in Osaka, and it represents a collaborative effort between Oita Prefecture and Sanrio.

This partnership is grounded in the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement for Tourism Promotion and Regional Revitalization, which was finalized in December 2024.

The primary objective of this Partnership Agreement is to enhance Oita Prefecture’s appeal to both domestic and international tourists and to stimulate regional revitalization.

The campaign period, during which Oita Prefecture and Sanrio will collaborate, is set to run from April 13th to October 13th.

Source: Official Website