A new Hello Kitty-themed hotel has opened in Tokyo, but guests are not allowed to stay overnight. The Sanrio Characters Exhibition Hotel Floria Tokyo, located in the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Shinjuku, offers a simulated check-in experience where visitors receive a randomly assigned character-designed 'Luc-key' entry pass. They then explore 11 rooms featuring characters from the Sanrio world, including Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Pompompurin, and Cinnamoroll.
An Exhibition Disguised as a Hotel
The 'dream hotel' concept, created by South Korean digital design firm D'strict, is an immersive exhibition rather than a functioning hotel. According to a Hotel Floria spokesperson, it is an 'immersive experience that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.' The exhibit also includes a garden, pond, art gallery, indoor beach, and a dedicated 'Photo Zone'.
Pricing and Availability
General admission for adults is priced from ¥2,400 (£10.98), tickets for secondary and middle-school students cost ¥1,600 (£7.32), and children aged four to 12 can enter for ¥1,000 (£4.58). The exhibition officially opened on July 15 and runs until May 31, 2027. After a successful run in South Korea, it is now in Tokyo. Tickets can be reserved online, and advance booking is recommended due to popularity.
This is not the only type of hotel in Japan where guests are not expected to stay the night. Love hotels, often decorated in quirky ways, are used primarily for privacy by couples, especially given the popularity of generational living in Japan.
