Hello Kitty, adored around the globe, marked its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Hello Kitty exhibitions are currently being held across Japan. Under the theme 'When I Change, Hello Kitty Changes Too,' the shows feature the largest number of Hello Kitty items ever displayed. The exhibition will take place in Nagoya from December 19, 2025, to February 15, 2026—perfect for anyone visiting Nagoya or the Chubu region this winter.

Buy Tickets for the Hello Kitty Exhibition in Nagoya

Hello Kitty, Captivating the World

Created by Sanrio in 1974, Hello Kitty began as a line of gift items like stationery and small accessories. By the mid-1980s, it had embraced fashion trends and in the 1990s became a sensation among young people, especially high school girls. In the 2000s, Hello Kitty became a global phenomenon, collaborating with various brands and characters—such as the ‘Hello Kitty Jet’ with Taiwan’s EVA Air.

Today, Hello Kitty is sold in more than 130 countries and regions, with around 50,000 new products released annually—truly a global phenomenon.

While many characters rise and fall in popularity over the years, few remain beloved for 50 years. Hello Kitty’s ability to evolve and embrace new challenges over time is what makes her adored by people of all ages and from around the world.

To mark Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, this special exhibition lets visitors explore her journey from the very beginning. As you follow Hello Kitty’s growth, you may also see reflections of your own personal journey.

Hello Kitty Exhibition: 'When I Change, Hello Kitty Changes Too' – Nagoya

The Nagoya Hello Kitty Exhibition is in the Art Museum Wing of the Kanayama Minami Building, just a one-minute walk from Kanayama Station.

Spanning the 4th and 5th floors, the venue is divided into seven distinct areas. It showcases the largest assembly of Hello Kitty items ever displayed, alongside photo opportunities, artist collaborations, and exclusive video content.

Our editorial team visited the exhibition firsthand, and we're excited to share what the Hello Kitty Exhibition in Nagoya has to offer.

Hello! You: Hello Kitty Visits Your World

As visitors step into the gallery, they're immediately immersed in an expansive Hello Kitty presentation alongside an exhibition overview. Bilingual descriptions in English and Japanese ensure everyone can fully appreciate the content.

Hello Kitty stands apart from typical character franchises. While most characters are built around elaborate storylines and fictional universes, Hello Kitty was born as merchandise—designed to be part of fans' everyday lives. In this narrative, you are the protagonist, and Hello Kitty is simply your companion. The story you create together becomes your own unique universe.

This philosophy comes to life in the exhibition's central theme: 'When I Change, Hello Kitty Changes Too.' Throughout the venue, the focus remains on the relationship between Hello Kitty and you, the visitor. As you encounter products spanning over 50 years of history, you might find yourself transported back to pivotal moments—receiving your first Hello Kitty gift in elementary school, waiting in line on launch day for a coveted item. It's an experience that invites reflection on your own life's journey.

Hello! Memories: Bringing Fans Closer to a Merchandise-Born Character

The next area of the gallery is dedicated to the world of Hello Kitty merchandise. Organized by color, the displays feature an extensive collection—from stationery and bags to water bottles—spanning five decades of history. The sheer volume of items is immediately striking. Many pieces bear the gentle marks of time, offering a tangible sense of the half-century Hello Kitty has shared with her fans.

As you move through the exhibition, you may find yourself wondering which of these items once accompanied your own moments with Hello Kitty—and quietly supported the memories you carry today.

Hello! Style: Always in Tune with What Fans Want

One key reason Hello Kitty has remained beloved for decades is her consistent ability to evolve with the times. Originally designed primarily for young girls, she once carried an image in Japan of being more for students than for working professionals. However, through Sanrio’s ongoing efforts to reflect contemporary trends, Hello Kitty has transformed into a character embraced by a much broader demographic—one that now feels equally natural for adults and children alike.

This exhibition area showcases how Hello Kitty has continuously adapted to popular culture. Influenced by the gal (gyaru) fashion boom of the 1990s, she is reimagined with a hibiscus-patterned ribbon, while designs from the 2000s incorporate the whimsical kawaii aesthetic of Harajuku fashion, featuring more fantastical color palettes.

Hello! Evolution: Bold and Unique Designs

This area showcases an original video artwork created by filmmaker Makino Atsushi specifically for Hello Kitty.

This briskly paced short film is striking at every frame, presenting Hello Kitty’s distinctive qualities from multiple perspectives. Notably, it illustrates how she is instantly recognizable by her ribbon alone, even when her face is not shown. It also highlights a feature visitors often rediscover: Hello Kitty’s gaze perpetually meets ours, always looking directly at the viewer.

To discover even more of Hello Kitty’s unique appeal, visitors are invited to experience the videos firsthand at the venue.

Hello! Collaboration – Changing Forms to Connect with Everyone

Many visitors may have seen Hello Kitty merchandise created through collaborations with tourist destinations or a wide variety of other characters. Renowned for her diverse collaborations, Hello Kitty is sometimes described as a pioneer of transformation—able to adapt her form while remaining unmistakably herself.

Through rare examples of collaborations with characters, brands, companies, and local communities, this area highlights Hello Kitty’s remarkable expressive range and the many possibilities that emerge from her ability to transform.

Hello! Friends – Hello Kitty Is Always by Your Side

This area showcases illustrations created by 30 artists, each exploring the theme 'Hello Kitty and Me.' More than simply appreciating the artwork, visitors can catch glimpses of how others have related to Hello Kitty and shared moments with her in their own lives.

Some pieces portray Hello Kitty encircling a girl like a fashion accessory, while others depict a girl in tears holding Hello Kitty close, as a source of comfort or a quiet companion to confide in. As the theme of this Hello Kitty exhibition suggests, every individual’s relationship and story with Hello Kitty is entirely unique.

Photospot

The final area is a photo spot zone where visitors can enjoy taking pictures with oversized Hello Kitty items. The space also features interactive elements, including a hair dryer that actually blows air and a height-measuring scale, inviting visitors to engage with the exhibits while capturing memorable photos.

Another major highlight is the newly added Hello Kitty × Algae display at the Nagoya venue. Visitors can view up close all 12 Hello Kitty × Algae figures previously exhibited at the Japan Pavilion of the Osaka–Kansai Expo 2025—a rare and valuable opportunity.

Merchandise Store

No exhibition is complete without a stop at the merch shop. At the Nagoya venue, visitors can purchase venue-exclusive items made in collaboration with local favorites, including Fujitaya’s Oan-maki (a traditional red bean sweet) and Pan no Tora’s apple Danish. Featuring Hello Kitty illustrations and ribbon motifs, these designs have quickly become fan favorites.

Editorial Reflections

It would be difficult to find someone who has never encountered Hello Kitty in some form. Even for those who are not devoted fans, simply visiting the Hello Kitty Exhibition in Nagoya—as someone who knows Hello Kitty—can be a genuinely moving experience.

More than a place to enjoy taking photos, the exhibition offers a journey that speaks to the senses. It evokes a wide range of emotions, from revisiting memories of the past to reflecting on one’s own life and encountering the feelings others have poured into their connection with Hello Kitty. Some visitors come out of affection for Hello Kitty, others are drawn by the extensive merchandise, and some simply wish to meet a familiar presence. Whatever the reason, the Hello Kitty Exhibition in Nagoya offers each visitor the opportunity to discover their own personal meaning and value.

Wrap-up

This special exhibition marks Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, so whether you’re visiting Nagoya just for the Hello Kitty Exhibition or happen to be in the city this winter, don’t miss this grand celebration.