Hello Kitty Exhibition at the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum Until January 11; Half a Century of Kitty Traced Through Her Relationship with Fans

The special exhibition “Hello Kitty Exhibition: When I Change, Kitty Changes Too” is on view at the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum (Dejima-machi, Nagasaki) until Monday, January 11, 2027 (a public holiday). It opened on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The exhibition explores why Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, now half a century old, has come to be loved around the world, through her relationship with each individual fan. Admission is 2,000 yen for adults, and no advance reservation is needed.

From the Tokyo National Museum to venues around Japan: a touring exhibition

The exhibition of the same name was held at the Hyokeikan of the Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park, Tokyo) from November 1, 2024 to February 24, 2025 (according to Sanrio Co., Ltd.). It then traveled to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum (March 7 – May 11, 2025) and the Fukuoka Art Museum (June–August 2025). In summer 2026 it was also held at the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (July 17 – September 23) (according to announcements by the respective organizers and companies involved).

The Nagasaki venue is organized by the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum and KTN Television Nagasaki. The exhibition is planned and produced by the Hello Kitty Exhibition Production Committee, with production cooperation by TM Entertainment. KTN Television Nagasaki’s special website notes that the exhibition photos it shows are from other venues. As of October 20, the chapter structure and number of exhibits at the Nagasaki venue were not given on the official website.

What can visitors see? Merchandise, collaborations and videos

The Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum notes that Hello Kitty, now half a century since her birth, is known and loved around the world. According to the museum, the key to how this came about lies in “her relationship with each individual fan.” The exhibition unravels Hello Kitty’s uniqueness in a variety of sections.

Major displays named by the museum include the largest display of merchandise in the history of Hello Kitty exhibitions, collaborative works with distinctive artists and original video content. The special website takes the 50 years of Kitty and her fans as its theme and says there will be photo spots at the venue.

The venue is the special exhibition gallery, and a visit takes about an hour. Re-entry is not allowed. Video recording is prohibited, as are flash, tripods and selfie sticks. Photography and phone calls are not allowed in the merchandise area, and eating and drinking are not allowed in the galleries.

Merchandise at the venue and Nagasaki-only extras

The exhibition’s original merchandise is sold only at the venue, not online. The special shop carries original plush toys (mascot 2,640 yen, size S 3,520 yen, size M 4,620 yen) and an original tote bag (3,500 yen). There are also secret mascot charms (1,100 yen each) and strap charms (2,200 yen each), among other items. Only exhibition visitors can use the merchandise area, and purchases are limited to 40 items per person (including shopping bags).

There is also the “Omoide Badge” digital stamp rally, in which visitors scan two-dimensional codes at six spots in the galleries to collect digital badges. Collecting all six earns a Nagasaki-only “Original Acrylic Charm,” one per person while supplies last. Participation requires registering (free) for Sanrio+, and charms are exchanged at the museum shop on the 1st floor.

On designated days, the Sanrio café wagon “Sanrio Crepe-go” comes to the front entrance of the museum from 10:00 to 18:00. It is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, Sunday, October 25 and Saturday, October 31; Saturdays and Sundays in November and Monday, November 23 (a public holiday); Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6; and Saturday, January 9 to Monday, January 11, 2027 (a public holiday). It sells Sanrio character crepes (800 yen) and Hello Kitty baked doughnuts (350 yen).

Tickets, prices, opening hours and access

Admission is 2,000 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for junior high and high school students and 1,000 yen for elementary school students. Groups of 15 or more pay 1,800 yen for adults, 1,300 yen for junior high and high school students and 800 yen for elementary school students. Advance ticket sales ended on October 16. Same-day tickets are available from Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, Seven Ticket and e+, and at the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum.

Preschool children are free (accompanying guardians need tickets). On presentation of a disability certificate or similar, the holder and one caregiver get 50% off. During the run, an exhibition ticket also gives entry to the museum’s collection exhibition.

There is also a “Ticket with Limited Acrylic Stand” (3,000 yen), which pairs admission with an acrylic stand in a Nagasaki-only color. It is a limited-quantity ticket sold only through Lawson Ticket and is available while supplies last. To redeem it, you need two tickets: the admission ticket and the exchange voucher.

Opening hours are 10:00–20:00, and until 18:00 on January 2 and 3 (last entry 30 minutes before closing). The museum is closed on Monday, October 26, Monday, November 9, Tuesday, November 24, Monday, December 14 and from Monday, December 28 to January 1, 2027 (New Year’s Day).

The museum is a 3-minute walk from the “Dejima” tram stop (Line 1) and a 2-minute walk from the “Medical Center” tram stop (Line 5). It is a 15-minute walk from JR Nagasaki Station. From Nagasaki Airport, take the limousine bus to “Shinchi Chinatown” (about 35 minutes) and walk 5 minutes. If you come by car and use a partner parking lot, you get a parking discount when you use the museum’s paid facilities.

Editor’s perspective

The starting point for this exhibition was the 2024 showing at the Hyokeikan of the Tokyo National Museum. In Kyushu, it was also held at the Fukuoka Art Museum in 2025 and at the Oita Prefectural Art Museum in summer 2026. In Nagasaki, the prefectural art museum organizes it with a local TV station, and the ticket also admits visitors to the museum’s collection exhibition. It is a setup in which a character exhibition becomes an opportunity to see the museum’s collection as well.

The thematic focus is on the relationship with fans rather than the character herself. As the exhibition title “When I Change, Kitty Changes Too” suggests, it is structured so that visitors look back on their own relationship with Kitty. In winter in Nagasaki, the 2027 Nagasaki Lantern Festival begins on February 5.

Overview

Name: Special Exhibition “Hello Kitty Exhibition: When I Change, Kitty Changes Too”
Dates: Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Monday, January 11, 2027 (public holiday)
Hours: 10:00–20:00 (until 18:00 on January 2 and 3; last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Closed: Monday, October 26, Monday, November 9, Tuesday, November 24, Monday, December 14, Monday, December 28 – January 1, 2027 (New Year’s Day)
Venue: Special Exhibition Gallery, Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum
Address: 2-1 Dejima-machi, Nagasaki
Admission: Adults 2,000 yen, junior high and high school students 1,500 yen, elementary school students 1,000 yen (groups of 15 or more: adults 1,800 yen, junior high and high school students 1,300 yen, elementary school students 800 yen). Free for preschool children. Ticket with Limited Acrylic Stand 3,000 yen (limited quantity)
Organizers: Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, KTN Television Nagasaki
Planning and production: Hello Kitty Exhibition Production Committee
Production cooperation: TM Entertainment
Official website: https://www.nagasaki-museum.jp/archives/exhibition_post/30638 (special website: https://www.ktn.co.jp/special/hellokitty/)
*Information as of October 20, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Image of the merchandise display at the Hello Kitty Exhibition (Tokyo venue, 2024) (from a press release by Sanrio Co., Ltd.)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on information on the official websites of the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum and KTN Television Nagasaki, and press materials from Sanrio Co., Ltd. (October 31, 2024), the Okinawa Churashima Foundation (March 7, 2025), The Nishinippon Shimbun (June 17, 2025) and Kyushu Railway Company (July 10, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team