When Hello Kitty Meets Doraemon – A New Travel Experience in Hokkaido

By Li Xinyi, Reporting

 

Evergreen introduced its Hello Kitty livery aircraft last year, and now at Taoyuan Airport there’s a dedicated Hello Kitty zone where visitors can snap photos with the character. Passengers on Hello Kitty flights enjoy an all-around Hello Kitty-themed experience, from boarding to arrival at their destination. Other airports have also used celebrity likenesses to enhance their branding—Japan’s New Chitose Airport features a Doraemon Sky Park, offering various themed attractions where fans can enjoy Doraemon-themed meals, paint their own Doraemons, and ride attractions, transforming the usual serious or luxury airport image into an ultra-cute flying adventure.

Evergreen’s Hello Kitty livery aircraft fly to destinations including Sapporo, Fukuoka, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Guam. In addition to the Hello Kitty zones at the airports, passengers can receive a “Hello Kitty Jet Passport” booklet in the departure lounge before boarding. Onboard, the seat cushions come in different colors of Hello Kitty designs, the meals are served in cute Kitty shapes, and passengers are even treated to Hello Kitty ice cream after the meal. Even the lavatory amenities such as hand soap and lotion are part of the Hello Kitty product line. Since the pillowcases are take-home items, by the time the flight lands, almost all the pillowcases in the cabin are gone—some passengers even take more than one just to collect every color.

New Chitose Airport’s Doraemon Sky Park is an airport-attached amusement space themed around Doraemon, featuring a Doraemon Cafe, free attractions, a wide array of souvenir shops, and a collection of Doraemon manga from around the world. The family DIY area includes activities like painting 3D Doraemons, keeping children entertained while waiting for flights. Evergreen’s Hello Kitty livery planes now also operate flights to Sapporo, so you can take a Hello Kitty flight straight to New Chitose Airport and its Doraemon-themed attractions.

It’s recommended to set aside extra time to explore New Chitose Airport. Inside, you’ll find a factory tour of “Royce,” one of Hokkaido’s most beloved chocolate brands, along with exhibits on the history and culture of chocolate. The Royce store at the airport also offers a wide selection of uniquely shaped chocolates. Additionally, the airport features hot spring facilities and Steiff Natural World. Steiff is a renowned German doll manufacturer, and its street-themed area showcases moving dolls, large rideable figures, and teddy bear displays—all in a classic German-style setting.