Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii Ticket
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Step into 60 years of Japan's most beloved pop culture phenomenon with the Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii Ticket — the grand finale of the most significant Sanrio retrospective ever staged, hosted at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills. Discover how kawaii culture was born before Hello Kitty existed, trace the creation of over 200 iconic and rare Sanrio characters across five themed chapters, and immerse yourself in the largest display of Sanrio merchandise in exhibition history — approximately 1,500 items spanning six decades of adorable design.
Key Highlights
- Explore the largest Sanrio exhibition ever held — over 200 characters and approximately 1,500 items tracing 60 years of kawaii culture from the brand's earliest strawberry designs to today's global icons
- Discover how kawaii was born
- Encounter rare and beloved characters side by side — from Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi to rare vintage characters most fans have never seen
- Explore exclusive new content created specifically for this FINAL version of the exhibition
- Shop at the dedicated special exhibition shop for exclusive merchandise available only at this exhibition
About Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii Ticket
The Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii is the final and most expansive edition of a touring exhibition that has captivated over 850,000 visitors across 19 cities in Japan since 2021 — and it has come to Tokyo's Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills for its grand farewell in the most spectacular version yet. This is the only opportunity to experience this definitive celebration of Sanrio's 60-year history and the global rise of kawaii culture in its most complete form.
The exhibition is structured across five themed chapters that trace Sanrio's extraordinary journey from its humble beginnings to global cultural dominance. The opening section reveals a fascinating surprise — Sanrio had no characters at all when it was founded, and its first hit was a line of strawberry-motif drinkware. The exhibition explores how the company developed its philosophy of creating goods that put smiles on people's faces before the character-design era began. Subsequent chapters follow the creation of Sanrio's multifarious character roster — from the earliest concept sketches and original merchandise of the 1970s and 1980s through the Hello Kitty boom and the parade of beloved characters that followed. A dedicated section spotlights over 200 characters — the largest number ever featured in a Sanrio exhibition — spanning the famous and the delightfully obscure, with rare vintage merchandise displayed alongside current collector's pieces.
The special Sanrio Character Awards section features over 100 quiz questions about Sanrio characters across walls of photographs and memorabilia — one of the most interactive and nostalgia-inducing sections of the entire show. The exhibition culminates in a spectacular gathering of characters and concludes with a special shop where exclusive exhibition-only merchandise is available. Photography is encouraged throughout the gallery — bring your phone and share with the hashtag to join fans worldwide. Book your Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii ticket now on Thrillark.
The exhibition is structured across five themed chapters that trace Sanrio's extraordinary journey from its humble beginnings to global cultural dominance. The opening section reveals a fascinating surprise — Sanrio had no characters at all when it was founded, and its first hit was a line of strawberry-motif drinkware. The exhibition explores how the company developed its philosophy of creating goods that put smiles on people's faces before the character-design era began. Subsequent chapters follow the creation of Sanrio's multifarious character roster — from the earliest concept sketches and original merchandise of the 1970s and 1980s through the Hello Kitty boom and the parade of beloved characters that followed. A dedicated section spotlights over 200 characters — the largest number ever featured in a Sanrio exhibition — spanning the famous and the delightfully obscure, with rare vintage merchandise displayed alongside current collector's pieces.
The special Sanrio Character Awards section features over 100 quiz questions about Sanrio characters across walls of photographs and memorabilia — one of the most interactive and nostalgia-inducing sections of the entire show. The exhibition culminates in a spectacular gathering of characters and concludes with a special shop where exclusive exhibition-only merchandise is available. Photography is encouraged throughout the gallery — bring your phone and share with the hashtag to join fans worldwide. Book your Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii ticket now on Thrillark.
Inclusions
- Admission to the Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii FINAL ver. at the Mori Arts Center Gallery, Roppongi Hills
- Access to the Sanrio Character Awards interactive section
- Access to the special exhibition shop for exclusive merchandise
Exclusions
- Personal expenses
- Transport
Insiders' Tips
Visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds — ticket prices are also lower on weekdays. The exhibition shop sells exclusive goods only available at this event, so allow extra time at the end of your visit for browsing. Photography is allowed throughout — no flash, no tripods or selfie sticks, and be considerate of other visitors when shooting.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry 7:30 PM)
- Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM)
- No closing days during the exhibition period
- open every day from April 9 to June 21
- Children cannot enter the exhibition unaccompanied regardless of age
- Photography allowed throughout the gallery
- No flash photography
- No tripods or selfie sticks permitted
- Be considerate of other visitors when taking photos
- Children under elementary school age cannot enter alone
- High school students must bring valid student ID
Cancellation Policy
- No Cancellation and Non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii?
The Sanrio Exhibition: The Beginning of Kawaii is the final and most expansive edition of a touring retrospective celebrating Sanrio's 60-year history — hosted at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo from April 9 to June 21, 2026. This FINAL version features over 200 characters and approximately 1,500 items of merchandise, making it the largest Sanrio exhibition ever held.
What are the five chapters of the Sanrio Exhibition?
The exhibition traces Sanrio's history across five themed chapters — beginning before the era of character design with the brand's earliest philosophy of cuteness and strawberry-motif products, moving through the creation of the first original characters, the rise of Hello Kitty and the 1980s character boom, the enduring global appeal of the brand's most beloved characters, and culminating in a spectacular gathering of over 200 characters spanning the famous and the obscure. New exclusive content was created specifically for this FINAL Tokyo version.
What characters can I see at the Sanrio Exhibition?
The exhibition features over 200 Sanrio characters — the largest number ever displayed in a single Sanrio exhibition — spanning well-known icons like Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Cinnamoroll, and Kuromi, alongside rare and obscure vintage characters from the 1970s and 1980s that most fans have never encountered. Each character is displayed in the context of its creation period and cultural significance.
Is this the last chance to see the Sanrio Exhibition?
Yes — the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Tokyo is the 20th and final stop of the touring Sanrio Exhibition, which has travelled across 19 cities in Japan since 2021. No further editions of this exhibition are planned after June 21, 2026, making this the last opportunity to see this definitive celebration of Sanrio's history anywhere in the world.
What merchandise is available at the Sanrio Exhibition shop?
The special exhibition shop stocks exclusive merchandise created specifically for this exhibition and not available anywhere else — including original character goods, commemorative items, and collector's pieces spanning the exhibition's themes. The shop is located inside the gallery and is accessible with your exhibition ticket, though all purchases are at your own expense.
Is photography allowed at the Sanrio Exhibition?
Photography is actively encouraged throughout the exhibition for personal use and social media sharing — the official exhibition hashtag is recommended for sharing your photos. Flash photography is not permitted, and tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited. Guests are asked to be considerate of other visitors when taking photos throughout the gallery.
What are the ticket prices for the Sanrio Exhibition?
Adult tickets cost ¥2,400 on weekdays and ¥2,800 on weekends and public holidays. High school, junior high school, and elementary school students pay ¥1,000 on weekdays and ¥1,200 on weekends. Children under elementary school age enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. High school students must present valid student ID at the entrance.
Where is the Sanrio Exhibition held in Tokyo?
The exhibition is held at the Mori Arts Center Gallery on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower — adjacent to the Tokyo City View observation deck in the Roppongi Hills complex. The nearest station is Roppongi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (Exit 1C, direct connection) or the Toei Oedo Line (Exit 3, 4-minute walk).
Is the Sanrio Exhibition suitable for children?
Yes — the exhibition is one of the most family-friendly and multigenerational cultural events in Tokyo, engaging long-time adult fans who grew up with Sanrio alongside younger children discovering the characters for the first time. Children under elementary school age enter free but must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times and cannot enter the exhibition unaccompanied.
Do I need to book Sanrio Exhibition tickets in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended — the exhibition has attracted significant crowds throughout its Tokyo run, particularly on weekends, and tickets frequently sell out for popular weekend and holiday dates before June 21. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 16% on the standard rate with instant confirmation. Weekday visits are also less crowded and lower priced — an ideal combination for visitors with flexible schedules.
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