What this is
This is a meet-and-greet photo session featuring Nontan, the iconic cat character from the beloved Japanese children's book series by Sachiko Kiyono, first published in 1976. Nontan has been a staple of Japanese childhood for decades, appearing in dozens of picture books covering themes like friendship, sharing, and growing up. The event takes place at Kobe Fashion Museum's Orbis Hall and gives young fans the rare chance to pose alongside a life-sized Nontan character. Event staff will take the photo using your own smartphone or camera, ensuring families walk away with a personal keepsake from the experience.
Who should go
This event is tailor-made for families with toddlers and young children who have grown up reading Nontan books at home or in nursery school. The atmosphere will be warm, gentle, and child-focused — expect excited little ones and patient parents in a well-organized queue setting. Expat families living in Kobe or Osaka with children who know Nontan from Japanese kindergarten or daycare will find this especially meaningful. Arrive early as slots are likely to fill up quickly given the popularity of the character.
Good to know
The photo session itself is free, but every person joining the photo — including parents and siblings — must hold a valid same-day admission ticket (観覧券) for the museum, so budget for entry fees for your whole group. Kobe Fashion Museum is located on Rokko Island and is easily reached via the Rokko Liner monorail from Sumiyoshi Station (JR) or Rokkomichi Station (Hankyu). Orbis Hall on the 5th floor is a dedicated event space within the museum. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the session starts to collect tickets and join the queue — character photo sessions at Japanese children's events often have limited time slots and can fill up fast. Payment for museum admission is typically cash or IC card at the box office; confirm in advance whether foreign credit cards are accepted.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.