Saturday, March 17, 2012

Play and Creative (This week's Photo Hunt themes)



Hello Kitty haters -- look away! For yes, my entry for Sandi's and Gattina's Photo Hunts this week is going to focus on the kawaii cat -- and, in particular, sights seen and photos taken during a pilgrimage I made to Sanrio Puroland last fall.

Located in the self designated "Hello Kitty's Town" of Tama, Sanrio Puroland is a place where cuteness overload and incredible commercialism meet -- and to such an extent that it can sensorily overwhelm and temporarily disconcert even the likes of this admitted admirer of the furry feline (who once wrote a four page cover article on Kitty Chan).

Thus it was that I found myself walking about in a veritable daze for the first hour or so. But after I allowed myself time to circle around the complex not once but twice (the second time more slowly so that I had more time to pause and take it all in), I got to noticing not just the at times overly cutesy and commercial elements at play in the place but, also, its enjoyably playful and creative touches.

Something else I noticed about Sanrio Puroland is that even while much of it appears to have been designed for children, it generally ends up being more of a giant play area for adults. (For proof, I'll point out that the photos I took at the place have way more adults than children in them.) Also, while the lesser shows at the Wisdom Tree Stage looked to specifically target the younger set, the grand Believe show is replete with creative elements and thus capable of enthralling adult Hello Kitty fans as well as less critical kids -- and, indeed, played a key role in leaving me with warm and fuzzy feelings about my Sanrio Puroland experience as a whole. :)

18 comments:

magiceye said...

lovely takes on the theme!!

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, what a wonderfully playful and creative take. This Hello Kitty Town looks like a fun place to visit. Sometimes I think places like this are just as important for adults as they are for kids because we need warm and fuzzy too.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Photo Cache said...

wasn't able to come every week, a pity really. but i'd like to go there see a lot of sanrio items.

www.ewok1993.wordpress.com

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

hello kitty craze where even adults fight.

Gattina said...

Believe it or not, I like "Hello Kitty" it's so cute !

YTSL said...

Hi magiceye --

Thanks, I'm glad you think so. :)

Hi Trekcapri --

Sanrio Puroland was indeed fun to visit even though -- yes, laugh -- I wished it actually had more Hello Kitty in it than there was. Also, it really makes me want to visit Harmonyland -- another entertainment attraction featuring Sanrio characters, only located outdoors than being housed entirely indoors like Sanrio Puroland is. :)

Hi Photo Cache --

I appreciate it whenever you visit, be it weekly or sadly less often. :)

Hi Ann --

I take it you're referring to the incidents in Singapore involving McDonald's Hello Kitty promotion some time back? Fortunately, I've never been among such crazed Hello Kitty fans -- even when visiting Sanrio Puroland. :)

Hi Gattina --

I believe -- especially given your love of cats in general! ;D

Carver said...

Fun shots and take on the theme. I must be getting old because I'm not familiar with Hello Kitty although I think I recall them popping up in another post you did. Happy Weekend!

Susan Demeter said...

Who could hate Hello Kitty????Looks like a childhood fantasy :) Great pics for both of the themes!

LifeRamblings said...

OMG, i love everything about Hello Kitty. I could spend more than a whole day there!;)

YTSL said...

Hi Carver --

How to explain/describe Hello Kitty? Hmmm, how about a cute cultural phenomenon and style icon... Also, I can't help thinking of her as a cat but apparently her official biographers state that she's actually a girl (who just happens to look like a cat)! ;b

Hi Sue --

Alas, there are quite a few Hello Kitty-phobes out there. I'll look on the bright side though and suggest that there are more Hello Kitty lovers than haters in the world. :b

Hi LifeRamblings --

Oh yay, another Hello Kitty fan! And teeheehee re your enthusiasm! :)

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Hello Kitty~
:-)
Thanks for Playing The Saturday PhotoHunt.

Alice Audrey said...

Cool, and very kawaii.

My photo is here

Janice said...

Clever...perfect for this week's theme.

YTSL said...

Hi Sandi --

Hello Kitty indeed! :b

Hi Alice Audrey --

I'm glad you think so. :)

Hi Janice --

Thanks! :)

CherryPie said...

Excellent photos for the themes :-)

YTSL said...

Hi CherryPie --

Thanks for checking out and liking this entry. :)

eastcoastlife said...

Kawaii!!
I would love to visit Hello Kitty Town! Everything so cute here. I would probably buy Hello Kitty products to decorate my home. :D

YTSL said...

Hi East Coast Life --

You know you don't need to visit Sanrio Puroland to come by Hello Kitty items to decorate your home, right? ;b