Harmonyland, a Sanrio character park located in Hiji Town, Oita Prefecture, has launched a limited-time event, "Harmonyland 35th Anniversary," starting April 24, 2026 (Friday), to mark 35 years since the park first opened. Running under the theme "35 Years of Gratitude, Heading Toward the Future," the event honors longtime visitors and the surrounding community while looking ahead to the park's next chapter.
Harmonyland 35th Anniversary Opening Ceremony
35 Years of Gratitude: Harmonyland's Past and Future
Harmonyland opened in 1991 and has welcomed visitors for 35 years. The park originally launched as a community crafts park in partnership with the local area. In recent years, it has pursued a vision of becoming an "entertainment resort" — an integrated destination combining tourism, local resources, and experiential value. Efforts toward this goal include a comprehensive partnership agreement with Oita Prefecture, the renaming of the local airport as "Oita Hello Kitty Airport," and friendship declarations with Hiji Town and Kitsuki City.
Anniversary Ceremony: 22 Characters Take the Stage
On April 26th (Sunday), the park's 35th anniversary date, a special opening ceremony was held. A total of 22 Sanrio characters appeared, including Hello Kitty in a brand-new anniversary costume featuring rainbow-colored frills and ribbons on a pink base. The characters delivered a lively dance performance to a cheering crowd. Visitors praised the new costume, calling it "gorgeous and perfectly fitting for the celebration."
Guests who attended the ceremony shared reactions such as, "It was wonderful to personally celebrate Harmonyland's 35th anniversary," and "So many characters came out — the whole place was filled with a festive mood!"
The ceremony was attended by Oita Governor Juichiro Sato, Hiji Town Mayor Tetsuya Abe, and Sanrio Entertainment President Aya Komaki.
Governor Sato said: "I am truly delighted that so many people gathered to make this commemorative ceremony possible. I hope Harmonyland, a true treasure of Oita, will continue to be loved by many and grow for years to come."
Mayor Abe expressed enthusiasm for the park's future: "I'm very excited about Harmonyland's continued development, including the entertainment resort vision. I believe more and more visitors from across Japan and around the world will come to the park, and Hiji Town looks forward to welcoming each and every one of them with full hospitality."
President Komaki shared: "I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude — 35 years' worth of 'thank you' — to our guests and everyone who has been part of Harmonyland's journey. We want to continue building a place where everyone can get along, and we are committed to making the park an even more joyful experience for all our visitors."
Bringing Oita's Local Flavors to Harmonyland: "Kensan Kensho Project" Launches
Also on April 26th, the park announced the launch of its "Kensan Kensho Project" — a local production for local consumption initiative aimed at letting park visitors taste the best of Oita's local ingredients. Going forward, the POMPOMPURIN DINER inside the park will serve sweets such as pudding made with Oita Prefecture-sourced ingredients. The 35th anniversary special menu will also feature steak made with "Oita Toyomi Beef" and sauces incorporating local ingredients like shiitake mushrooms and kabosu ponzu. The initiative is part of Harmonyland's broader effort to strengthen ties with the prefecture and local communities in support of tourism and regional revitalization.
Summer Event Visual Revealed Early
The visual for the upcoming summer event, scheduled to begin on Friday, July 3, 2026, has been revealed ahead of schedule. The summer event is titled "Hachame-Chame Summer Party!" with the concept of "Refresh Together! A Hot, Emotional, Wildly Fun Summer!" Visitors can look forward to joining Hello Kitty and friends — depicted in summery suntanned looks — for an event packed with excitement. Full details are scheduled to be announced in mid-May 2026.
Harmonyland 35th Anniversary Overview
Event Period: Starting Friday, April 24, 2026
Official Website: https://www.harmonyland.jp/sp/hl35th/index.html
Highlights:
- Opening ceremony held on the anniversary date, Sunday, April 26th
- First reveal of the anniversary event key visual
- Debut of Hello Kitty's new anniversary costume; character greeting sessions
- Original anniversary theme song composed by Kota Okouchi
- Special 35th anniversary version night show: Fun×Fan Night Show "GIVE YOU♡" — 35th ver.
- Three-day limited distribution of 35th anniversary commemorative novelties
- Limited-time anniversary menu items
