Hello Kitty Land at Nagashima: Sanrio Character Park in Mie
What Is Hello Kitty Land at Nagashima
Hello Kitty Land at Nagashima is an outdoor Sanrio-themed area within Nagashima Spa Land (ナガシマスパーランド), a massive amusement resort in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture. Officially called Sanrio Summer Canyon (サンリオサマーキャニオン), according to the Nagashima Resort official site, the area features Hello Kitty and other Sanrio character attractions, rides, shops, and meet-and-greets.
Unlike Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo, which is a fully indoor, dedicated Sanrio facility, Nagashima's Sanrio area is an outdoor section within a larger theme park complex that includes thrill coasters, a waterpark, hot springs, and an outlet mall. This makes it a strong option for families who want Sanrio character experiences as part of a broader resort day. For a look at all Mie theme park destinations, see our hub guide, or see the full Nagashima Spaland overview for the complete resort picture.
What to Do in the Sanrio Area
Character Meet-and-Greets
According to the official character greeting page, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters appear throughout the day for photo greetings. Schedules rotate daily, so check the official site or the park's app when you arrive.
The greetings are less structured than Sanrio Puroland's scheduled shows — characters appear in the Sanrio Summer Canyon area and interact with visitors in a casual, walk-up format. This means shorter waits on quieter days but no guaranteed time slots.
Rides and Attractions
The Sanrio area includes several rides designed for younger children, themed around Hello Kitty and friends. These range from gentle spinning rides to small coasters suitable for toddlers and early-elementary-age kids. For a detailed breakdown of each attraction, see our detailed Hello Kitty theme park guide.
Most Sanrio rides are covered by the Nagashima Free Pass. However, some smaller coin-operated rides (¥100-¥500 per ride) are not included — bring some coins if you have very young children who will want to ride these.
Themed Shops and Food
The Sanrio area has dedicated shops selling Hello Kitty merchandise, including items exclusive to the Nagashima location. Themed food options include character-shaped snacks and decorated treats that make for good photos before eating.
For more on exclusive merchandise and the immersive design of the area, see our guide to the immersive Hello Kitty World experience.
Tickets and Admission
Entry-Only vs Free Pass
According to the Nagashima ticket page, you have two main options:
| Ticket Type | Adult | Child (Elementary) | Child (4-6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Only | ¥1,800 (~$12) | ¥1,100 (~$7) | ¥600 (~$4) |
| Free Pass (unlimited rides) | ¥6,000 (~$40) | ¥4,500 (~$30) | ¥2,800 (~$19) |
Prices shown are 2024 figures; check the official site for current rates.
The entry-only ticket gives you access to the park grounds including the Sanrio Summer Canyon area — you can walk around, shop, eat, and watch character greetings. However, you cannot ride any attractions without the Free Pass or individual ride tickets.
The Free Pass is the better value if your family plans to ride Sanrio attractions and explore the broader park. It covers most rides across the entire Nagashima Spa Land complex.
Coin-Operated Rides
Some smaller rides within the Sanrio area are coin-operated (¥100-¥500) and are not covered by the Free Pass. These are typically gentle rides aimed at toddlers — small carousels, kiddie cars, and similar attractions. Bring change if you have very young children.
How Nagashima Differs from Sanrio Puroland
| Factor | Nagashima Sanrio Summer Canyon | Sanrio Puroland (Tokyo) |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Outdoor, within larger park | Fully indoor, dedicated |
| Shows | Casual character greetings | Structured stage shows |
| Rides | Small kids' rides + full park coasters | Indoor rides and attractions |
| Other activities | Hot springs, outlet mall, waterpark | Sanrio-only experience |
| Best for | Families wanting a full resort day | Dedicated Sanrio fans |
If your primary goal is a deep Sanrio immersion with choreographed shows, Puroland in Tokyo is the dedicated option. If you want Sanrio characters as part of a broader theme park and resort experience — with world-class coasters, hot springs, and shopping — Nagashima delivers more variety in a single day.
Getting to Nagashima Resort
Nagashima Resort is located in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, easily accessible from Nagoya.
| Route | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nagoya → Kintetsu Kuwana Station (Kintetsu express) | ~30 min | Then free shuttle bus ~10 min |
| Nagoya → Nagashima (direct highway bus) | ~50 min | Bus runs from Meitetsu Bus Center |
| By car (Isewangan Expressway, Wangan-Nagashima IC) | 5 min from IC | Free parking, 12,000 spaces |
From Kintetsu Kuwana Station (近鉄桑名駅), a free shuttle bus runs to the resort in about 10 minutes. During peak periods, expect waits of 30 minutes or more for the shuttle.
Tips for Visiting with Kids
- Buy the Free Pass: The entry-only ticket limits what you can do. The Free Pass covers Sanrio rides and the rest of the park — much better value for families.
- Bring coins: Toddler-focused coin rides (¥100-¥500) are scattered through the Sanrio area and are not covered by the Free Pass.
- Check character schedules: Greeting times change daily. Check the official site or ask at the park entrance when you arrive.
- Combine with hot springs: After a full day, Yunami no Shima (湯あみの島), the resort's hot spring facility, is a relaxing way to wind down. Kids are welcome.
- Summer hours extend: During summer holidays, the park stays open until 21:00 — useful for avoiding the midday heat and catching evening character appearances.
- Winter note: Some outdoor areas in Sanrio Summer Canyon may close during winter. Check operating dates before visiting in the colder months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hello Kitty Land included in the Nagashima Spa Land passport?
Access to the Sanrio Summer Canyon area is included with any Nagashima Spa Land ticket — both entry-only (¥1,800 adults) and the Free Pass (¥6,000 adults). Most Sanrio rides are covered by the Free Pass. Some smaller coin-operated attractions (¥100-¥500) require separate payment.
How does Nagashima's Hello Kitty area differ from Sanrio Puroland?
Nagashima's Sanrio Summer Canyon is an outdoor themed area within a large amusement resort, featuring casual character greetings and kiddie rides alongside world-class coasters and hot springs. Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo is a fully indoor, dedicated Sanrio facility with structured stage shows. Nagashima offers more variety; Puroland offers deeper Sanrio immersion.
Are there character meet-and-greets at Nagashima Hello Kitty?
Yes. Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters appear for photo greetings throughout the day. Schedules rotate daily — check the official site or park app for that day's character lineup and times.
Can I visit just the Hello Kitty part without riding thrill rides?
Yes. The entry-only ticket (¥1,800 for adults) gives you access to the Sanrio Summer Canyon area for character greetings, shopping, and food without riding any attractions. This is a reasonable option if your children are too young for the bigger rides or you only want the Sanrio experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Hello Kitty Land included in the Nagashima Spa Land passport?
- Access to the Sanrio Summer Canyon area is included with any Nagashima Spa Land ticket — both entry-only (¥1,800 adults) and the Free Pass (¥6,000 adults). Most Sanrio rides are covered by the Free Pass. Some smaller coin-operated attractions (¥100-¥500) require separate payment.
- How does Nagashima's Hello Kitty area differ from Sanrio Puroland?
- Nagashima's Sanrio Summer Canyon is an outdoor themed area within a large amusement resort, featuring casual character greetings and kiddie rides alongside world-class coasters and hot springs. Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo is a fully indoor, dedicated Sanrio facility with structured stage shows. Nagashima offers more variety; Puroland offers deeper Sanrio immersion.
- Are there character meet-and-greets at Nagashima Hello Kitty?
- Yes. Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and other Sanrio characters appear for photo greetings throughout the day. Schedules rotate daily — check the official site or park app for that day's character lineup and times.
- Can I visit just the Hello Kitty part without riding thrill rides?
- Yes. The entry-only ticket (¥1,800 for adults) gives you access to the Sanrio Summer Canyon area for character greetings, shopping, and food without riding any attractions. This is a reasonable option if your children are too young for the bigger rides or you only want the Sanrio experience.