Japan’s cute character queen teams up with the coolest way to see downtown Tokyo’s most traditional neighborhood.

Hello Kitty has a nearly endless list of cute collaborations with a huge variety of industries, but one that she has to be particularly proud of is the Hello Kitty Shinkansen. But the tireless Kitty-chan isn’t only interested in working with Japan’s most modern transportation providers, but its most traditional ones too.

Tokyo’s Asakasua neighborhood is famous for its historical temples and old-school cityscapes, so one of the most popular ways to tour the area is by rickshaw. This month, rickshaw company Kurumaya is teaming up with the Sanrio star to offer a Hello Kitty rickshaw service that lets fans experience the sights of Asakusa in kawaii-style.

This isn’t the Hello Kitty rickshaw’s maiden voyage, though. It was originally built to celebrate the grand opening of the Asakusa Sanrio Gift Gate specialty shop in May. The rickshaw service is back by popular demand, though, coinciding with the start of the summer travel season.

The Kitty-chan rickshaw will be in service for two consecutive weekends, on June 15, 16, 22, and 23. Rides will be offered nine time a day, departing from the Sanrio Gift Gate shop at 9:30, 10:15, 11, and 11:45 in the morning, plus 1:30, 2:15, 3, 3;45, and 4:30 in the afternoon. Each tour lasts roughly 30 minutes and is priced at 8,000 yen (US$73), though you and a friend can split the cost since the rickshaw seats two passengers. Reservations are required and can be made starting on June 8, either in-person at Sanrio Gift Gate or over the phone at 080-9432-7505.

Oh, and if you’re looking to mix even more of Japan’s traditional culture with modern cuteness, don’t forget that Asakusa also has a branch of Kuriko-an, the taiyaki Japanese sweets specialist that makes delicious Pokémon Magikarp desserts!

Related: Sanrio Gift Gate Asakusa
Source, images: PR Times
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