The Hello Kitty mobile (or rather, rickshaw) is now a thing. To commemorate its opening, Sanrio Gift Gate Asakusa – a souvenir shop stocking Sanrio character merchandise from the aforementioned cat-girl to lazy egg Gudetama – is teaming up with the Asakusa-based rickshaw company Kuruma-ya to offer a tour of the neighbourhood in a striking and adorable Hello Kitty cart.
The tour will take you through the highlights at one of Tokyo’s most traditional neighbourhoods; Asakusa is famous for its many temples especially the majestic Sensoji Temple, historic ambience and traditional restaurants.
Photo: © 1976, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD.
However, you have to be fast to get on board. This limited-time tour is only available on two consecutive weekends – June 15-16 and June 22-23. There are nine time slots (9.30am, 10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm, 3.45pm and 4.30pm) per day, all departing from Asakusa’s Sanrio Gift Gate store. The tour lasts 30 minutes and will set you back a whopping ¥8,000 – but you can invite a friend along to split the bill as the carriage can fit up to two people.
To reserve a spot, call 080 9432 7505, or make a booking directly at the store from June 8.
Since you’re in Asakusa, go check out the neighbourhood’s best cafés, restaurants and bars. And if you’re staying out late in the area, here’s what you can do after the temple has closed.