Many people have likely used Sanrio's adorable cartoon-themed products, such as stationery, bags, and dolls. At the very least, they must have come across them, as Sanrio has over 100 well-known cartoon characters. In Tokyo's Shinjuku district, Sanrio's Gift Gate store welcomes fans of various characters, especially Hello Kitty, Sanrio's most famous and successful creation.



Sanrio was founded in 1960 with a focus on creating a gift-giving identity for the Japanese people. The first Gift Gate store opened in Shinjuku in 1971. Hello Kitty was created in 1974, and the first product featuring Kitty was a small woman's purse.


Hello Kitty was designed by Shimizu Yuko, who was inspired by the simple lines of Snoopy, a dog character that is childish and mischievous. In contrast, Kitty is a cat character that is childish and well-behaved. The name Kitty comes from the name of the cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where Alice plays with a cat named Kitty.



Hello Kitty, whose real name is Kitty White, was born on November 1st in the suburbs of London. She has type A blood, weighs the same as 5 apples, and is as tall as 3 apples. Her favorite subjects are English, art, and music. She is skilled at making cookies and her favorite food is apple pie. She has a twin sister named Mimmy, who can be identified by the bows tied on their opposite ears. Kitty's boyfriend is Dear Daniel, a friend from her childhood.



Hello Kitty is the most prominent star in the Sanrio camp, starting with a customer base of mainly pre-teen girls before expanding to children and adults. Kitty is so popular that it is said that it is not uncommon to see a sharp businessman in a black suit carrying a Hello Kitty file in Japan. And every time there is a vote for favorite Sanrio characters, Kitty has consistently been crowned number one. Other popular characters include My Melody, Pompompurin, Little Twin Stars, and Cinnamoroll. She has also been appointed as a UNICEF ambassador in Japan.



The key to Hello Kitty's global popularity is her lack of a mouth and the absence of any emotional expression. This allows people to connect with her on an emotional level, as she can be perceived as a companion who shares in their joys and sorrows, regardless of their own mood.



At the Sanrio Gift Gate Shinjuku, the world's largest Hello Kitty greets visitors at the entrance, making it a popular photo spot where everyone wants to stand next to the giant Kitty. Inside the store, there are various products related to Kitty and her friends to choose from. Some of the cartoon designs I had seen and loved as a child turned out to be from Sanrio as well. Coming here is not only about finding cute souvenirs but also like reuniting with old friends I used to play with.



To reach Sanrio Gift Gate Shinjuku, take the JR train and alight at Shinjuku Station. Exit through the East exit and walk towards the Korakuen adhoc Building, located on the first floor. The shop is adjacent to Baskin Robbins ice cream parlor and within close proximity to Muji on the same side of the street.

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