Japanese character collaborations in dining and hospitality

In mid-to-late 2026, various Japanese hospitality and dining establishments launched character-themed collaborations.

Sanrio’s Hello Kitty brand partnered with the sushi chain Sushiro for a limited-edition event in Osaka featuring themed menu items and merchandise. Concurrently, the Kyoto Century Hotel hosted a Hello Kitty and Tiny Chum sweets buffet.

Following these events, Kura Sushi announced its fourth collaboration with the Chiikawa franchise. This campaign, running through September 2026, included themed menu items, exclusive animations via the ‘Bikkura Pon!’ game, and various promotional gifts such as drawstring bags, teacups, and sushi plates.

The Chiikawa franchise has seen massive commercial success, driven by the theatrical release ‘Chiikawa the Movie: Secret of the Mermaid Island’, which has surpassed 9.2 billion yen in box office revenue. To capitalize on this momentum, Kura Sushi launched a limited-time campaign on August 21 featuring items such as ‘Usagi no Paan-Pancake’.

Other retail expansions include Chiikawa Market releasing new lifestyle goods and apparel, while convenience retailer Seven-Eleven introduced themed smoothie products, such as the ‘Pink Passion Pitaya Smoothie’, inspired by food items featured in the film.