# Japanese character collaborations in dining and hospitality

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-character-collaborations-in-dining-and-hospitality
> Updated: 2026-08-20T06:30:13.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

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.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: Chiikawa franchise sees massive commercial success in Japan

The Chiikawa franchise sees massive success in Japan, with its new movie nearing 10 billion yen in revenue and major collaborations launching at Kura Sushi, Seven-Eleven, and Chiikawa Market.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kura-sushi-announces-fourth-collaboration-with-chiikawa

### 2026-08-07: Hello Kitty rolls out 2026 collaborations at Sushi chain and Kyoto hotel

Hello Kitty partners with Sushiro in Osaka (July 29‑Sept 6) and launches a sweets buffet at Kyoto Century Hotel (Sept 4‑Nov 29), offering limited‑time décor, menu items and merchandise.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hello-kitty-rolls-out-2026-collaborations-at-sushi-chain-and-kyoto-hotel

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Cite as: Japanese character collaborations in dining and hospitality. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-character-collaborations-in-dining-and-hospitality