
The staff and characters of Puroland want you to know that they’re waiting for your visit from the bottom of their hearts.
With most family-friendly theme parks and museums closed in Japan at the moment due to the spread of coronavirus, Sanrio Puroland in Tama-Center, Tokyo is no exception. The fan-favorite park has also extended their closure until an unspecified time in early April due to a new governmental ordinance.
However, Puroland wants you to know that despite the closure, its staff are doing everything in their power to prepare to greet visitors with a smile again soon. The park even released a touching video message on their official YouTube channel on March 22 with the poignant message “Even though we’re closed…we’re here for you” and featuring a rare behind-the-scenes compilation of scenes at the park.
The video begins with a somber spattering of rain on deserted streets that are usually bustling with laughing families. We see dark entry gates and catch a glimpse of maintenance staff taking advantage of the lack of guests to change all of the LED lightbulbs. We’re then privy to a Sanrio Rainbow World Restaurant chef dreaming up new nutritious and cute menus to offer patrons, as well as a glimpse of Hello Kitty perfecting her step work on an empty stage. The video ends with shots of staff cleaning every square inch of the facilities.
Net reactions to the video were beyond touched and many longtime fans of Sanrio fans unabashedly shed tears:
“The sight of the staff carefully cleaning everything is heartbreaking and made me tear up.”
“To all the staff and characters: Thank you so much. I was supposed to visit Puroland for the first time for Purin-kun’s birthday event on April 5 but it got cancelled. While it’s too bad, your feelings have reached us. I will be sure to visit Purin-kun another time.”
“I want to go but I can’t…I promise I’ll visit as soon as things are better. I’ll always support you!”
“I wept uncontrollably. Puroland is a special and important place for me. Seeing all of the maintenance being done now, as well as the characters sending their greetings, I feel better knowing that I’ll see everyone again.”
“I’m sad I can’t see all of my favorite characters for now, but everyone’s hearts are like rainbows connecting each other forever.”
We’ll have to wait a little bit longer to see all of their hard work in person, but in the meantime it’s comforting to know that Hello Kitty and all of her pals are with us in their hearts.
Source: Byokan Sunday via My Game News Flash
Images: YouTube/purolandJP
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

After months of closure, Sanrio Puroland stages for re-opening in mid-July
Ready, set… woomy! Sanrio new character collaboration poll starts, featuring Splatoon 2 and more
Sanrio amusement park opening first new attraction in six years: an ultra-cute meet-and-greet house
DJ Hello Kitty drops the beat and F-bombs at all-night Sanrio Puroland Halloween event【Video】
Celebrate your wedding with Hello Kitty at Japan’s Sanrio Puroland amusement park
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
We try out the joys of Japan’s kakuuchi wine vending machine
Speed trap camera stolen from Saitama Police while in use
Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about using manga for studying and the top series for learning
Japan’s new pettably fuzzy cat-shaped earbud chargers meow to let you know their status[Video]
Blind Tokyo commuter explains the easiest place for him to stand while riding the train
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart Japan installs red-eyed “Monster Wolf” to keep bears away from convenience store
Starbucks Japan creates special drink bottle bags, adorable stickers for all 47 prefectures[Pics]
Starbucks Japan reopens Shinkansen platform store after redesigning it for speed
Pikachu brings electric style to brand-new Pokémon G-Shock watch featuring every stater trio
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Japanese man’s gross conveyor belt sushi social media prank video gets him a 500,000-yen fine
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty fans have a special reason to go to Sanrio amusement parks December 4 – They’re free!
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Who killed Hello Kitty…?! Sanrio’s Puroland wreaks gory havoc with zombies, ghoulish cuisine
Two human beings set to marry Sanrio characters at Tokyo’s Hello Kitty theme park
We visit the Hello Kitty theme park to eat an adorable Sanrio meal
Hello Kitty theme park to be overrun by zombies this summer, young children barred from entering
Hello Kitty’s hilariously meta YouTube debut is a hit with netizens, earns likes and subscribers