Japan Adventures – Day 10: Sanrio Puroland and Pikachu Sweets Café

Morning Journey to Sanrio Puroland

Our first plan for Day 10 was to split our time between the Ghibli Museum and Sanrio Puroland, but after our visit to Sanrio Puroland, we realised it wasn’t possible. Fortunately, we hadn’t secured tickets for the Ghibli Museum. We also had to skip the DAWN | Avatar Robot Café due to time constraints.

Our day began with a long journey to Sanrio Puroland in Tama, which took about an hour and a half from Asakusa. It be quicker from Shinjuku, but it would still be a good hour. We bought our tickets from Klook, which was cheaper than buying directly. It was easy to use the voucher to enter.

Exploring Sanrio Puroland

Sanrio Puroland is definitely worth visiting if you’re a fan of Hello Kitty or other Sanrio characters. While there aren’t many rides, there are plenty of other activities like shows, parades, photo spots, and character greetings to fill your day. The entire park is a vibrant, colorful wonderland that immerses you in the world of Sanrio.

The queues for some activities can be very long, but you can speed things up by purchasing a PUROPASS, like an express pass at theme parks. You’ll also need a pass if you want a seat for the shows, as it’s difficult to watch without one due to restricted areas. The shows are a highlight, featuring elaborate costumes and engaging performances that delight both kids and adults.

Lunch at Sanrio Rainbow World Restaurant

We had lunch at the Sanrio Rainbow World Restaurant, a food court-style eatery. It was very busy, and finding a seat was nearly impossible, especially during lunchtime. You have to keep searching or wait for a table where diners are nearly finished. The restaurant offers a variety of themed dishes, each more adorable than the last, making it a fun dining experience despite the crowds.

Evening at Sunshine City Mall

Sanrio Puroland closes at 5 PM on the day we visit. After it closed, we made our way back to Tokyo and headed to Sunshine City Mall. By the time we arrived, we barely had enough time to visit the Pikachu Sweets Café, but many items were already sold out. The café is a must-visit for Pokémon fans, offering cute and delicious treats themed around Pikachu and other Pokémon characters.

We then explored the Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store, which is a paradise for capsule toy enthusiasts. The store features an extensive collection of gashapon machines, each filled with unique and collectible items. It’s easy to spend hours here, trying to get your hands on your favorite characters.

Dinner at Tonkatsu Wako Sunshine City

For dinner, we ate at Tonkatsu Wako Sunshine City. The food was average, but our kids enjoyed the deep-fried dishes. The restaurant offers a variety of tonkatsu (breaded and fried pork cutlets) and other fried foods, which are always a hit with children.

Conclusion

Despite the changes in our plans, Day 10 was filled with memorable experiences and delightful surprises. If you’re planning a visit to Tokyo, make sure to include these attractions in your itinerary! Each location offers its own unique charm and is sure to create lasting memories.