What Is Kawaisōni! Department? Experience the World of Opanchu Usagi’s Creator

“Kawaisōni! Department,” a full immersive event showcasing the unique world of Opanchu Usagi’s creator, Kawaisōni!, has launched in Yokohama.

Surprise! Instead of a grand opening, it’s a celebratory ‘13.8 billionth year anniversary closure!’

Who Is Kawaisōni!?

Kawaisōni! is the creator behind the hugely popular character Opanchu Usagi, which ranked No.1 in popularity among teenage girls in both 2024 and 2025.

Believed to be a woman in her mid-20s, Kawaisōni! has gained a massive following, especially among high school girls. Her collaboration events with fashion brands often attract long lines even before opening, showing just how passionate her fanbase is.

The Meaning of “Kawaisō-ni” in Japanese

In Japanese, “kawaisō” (可哀想) is a word used to express heartfelt pity or compassion toward someone in a weak position or unfortunate situation. It conveys a sense of sympathy, sorrow, and emotional pain for another’s hardship, often including a feeling of concern or a desire to comfort or help them.

When “ni” is added to form “kawaisō-ni” (可哀想に), it becomes an expression used to directly convey sympathy or pity for someone’s misfortune or suffering. It carries a nuance similar to “I feel sorry for them” or “that’s so unfortunate,” and is often used when lamenting or reacting to someone’s situation.

It is commonly used in expressions like “~shite kawaisō-ni,” which implies a sense of sadness or concern about the person’s circumstances or fate.

Even in Japan, it is quite rare for a creator to adopt a name based on such emotionally nuanced vocabulary, which alone suggests a uniquely distinctive sensibility.

（This naming style is said to originate from the creator’s art school circle, where many peers chose similarly pessimistic or melancholic creator names.）

Why Is Opanchu Usagi So Popular?

Opanchu Usagi is especially popular among teenagers aged 15–19, firmly establishing itself as a trending Gen Z character.

Top Character Ranking Chosen by Teenage Girls (2025 Edition)

Its appeal lies in its “unfortunate but cute” personality — a character who tries hard but rarely gets rewarded. Its teary-eyed expression and slightly tragic vibe have made it both relatable and irresistibly cute.

Main Characters Created by Kawaisōni!

 

Opanchu Usagi

Recognizable by its white underwear and blue ribbon, Opanchu Usagi is known for its hardworking yet constantly unlucky nature. Its “pathetic but adorable” charm has made it extremely popular among Gen Z. The character went viral on social media around 2022, and an anime adaptation is scheduled for fall 2026.

Npochamu

Npochamu is a soft, mochi-like white character based on the concept of a “yogurt fairy.” It speaks in a playful tone ending with “-chamu” and is known for its innocent and slightly clumsy personality. Its humorous daily life with best friend Kimimaro has gained strong support, especially among younger audiences.

As a “yogurt fairy,” Npochamu has collaborated with a Japanese dairy company, leading to the release of a product called “Npochamu Yogurt.”

Kimimaro

Kimimaro is a yellow chick appearing in the Npochamu series. As Npochamu’s reliable best friend, Kimimaro is always there to help out.

👚✂️ pic.twitter.com/krDQEOZdWU

— んぽちゃむ (@npochamu_) October 28, 2024

What Is Kawaisōni! Department?

Kawaisōni! Department is a large-scale immersive event where visitors can experience the creator’s unique world. It is being held at Yokohama Sky Building from April 25 to July 20, 2026.

Featuring characters like Opanchu Usagi and Npochamu, the event is themed around a fictional department store that is “closing after 13.8 billion years of operation.”

Visitors can explore surreal and humor-filled spaces, including bizarre fashion zones and unusual food areas.

• Concept & Theme: Based on themes like “friends, hope, and money,” the event recreates Kawaisōni!’s distinctive dark and quirky worldview.
• Immersive Floors: Includes eccentric food basements, dangerously extravagant sweets, and unique cosmetic brands like MOTOKARE NO KAORI.
• Activities: Visitors can search for characters, shop exclusive goods, and view live-action teaser footage.
• Location & Duration: Held at Yokohama Sky Building from April 25 to July 20.

Visitors can expect a visually striking and slightly chaotic atmosphere, filled with surreal humor and uniquely Japanese “dark cute” aesthetics.

Kawaisōni! Department Review

① Surprised by the gap between the entrance and the sheer scale inside

The entrance exterior is carefully designed and visually striking.

A variety of colorful hanging banners and promotional signs create a lively atmosphere, reminiscent of the days when department stores were full of energy.

If someone who knew nothing about this event happened to pass by, they would probably assume it was just the entrance to a regular department store.

However, judging from the exterior alone, it honestly doesn’t look like the event takes up that much space.

Typically, pop-up events like this are held within a space about the size suggested by the entrance display.

② The moment you step inside—your expectations are completely overturned

However, once you check in and step inside, that initial impression is completely shattered. The space is far larger than you’d ever expect—no, rather than just “spacious,” it feels like an actual department store.

The venue is located on the basement floors of the Yokohama Sky Building.
It fully occupies two floors (B1 and B2) that were originally commercial spaces. There are even escalators, of course (*).

* Please note: B1 and B2 are not directly connected in a way that allows you to freely go back and forth. The entrance is on B2, and once you move up to B1, you cannot return to B2 due to the one-way layout.

* Make sure to fully explore and enjoy B2 before heading up to B1!

The elevator is represented using digital panels. The opening and closing of the doors, along with a character styled like an elevator attendant, cheerfully welcomes visitors and adds to the fun atmosphere.

③ An almost absurd level of detail—in the best way possible

As you look around the venue, you’re instantly immersed in the unique world of Kawaisōni!.

One of the clearest examples of this is the sheer number of posters, POP displays, and notices—there seem to be well over 20 different types. They’re everywhere. No matter where you look, something catches your eye.

The content ranges from department store-style event announcements and tenant promotions to humorous warnings—like alerts about pigeons (not just droppings, but jokingly warning that your life might be in danger from them), and much more.

I highly recommend taking the time to search for and check every single type of these displays.

Inside Kawaisōni! Department Store, you’ll find apparel, cosmetics, food, books, pet supplies… truly everything you’d expect to find in a real department store. Somehow, all of it fits perfectly within this quirky world.

It really does feel like an actual department store.

“MOTOKRE NO KAORI” literally means “the scent of a man’s former lover.”

Normally, a name like this would be expressed in a Western language, but here it’s intentionally written in Japanese and stylized to sound Western, creating a sense of luxury branding.

At the same time, the use of such an unconventional—and frankly absurd—phrase for a cosmetics brand really highlights the humor and sharp creative sense behind it.

There’s even more—family restaurants, massage services, fortune-telling booths, computer classes, a cinema complex, and even a club.

Each of these areas is staffed by its own resident characters, and a wide variety of products are on display. Every single item feels like a character in itself, each one packed with the distinctive personality and attention to detail that defines Kawaisōni!’s work.

Not only are the shop names cleverly crafted, but the product names are just as brilliant.

Names like “Club TOHOKENNAI (Within Walking Distance),” “Greasy Skewers,” and “Rotten Tomato,” among many others… they’re guaranteed to make you chuckle.

In Japanese, “ぎとぎと（gito-gito）” refers to a greasy, oily state—typically used to describe food that’s excessively coated in fat in an unhealthy or unappetizing way.

You can see the grease clinging to the sign, right?

Even if it’s something everyone secretly thinks, no one would normally give a food-related shop such an unhealthy-sounding name. By deliberately crossing that taboo, it cleverly turns it into humor.

Every single element featured in Kawaisōni! Department Store isn’t just a collection of past works—it’s part of an enormous range of ideas created specifically for this event.

And that entire collection is what makes Kawaisōni! Department Store.

It’s hard to imagine anyone else releasing such a massive number of brand-new characters all at once for a single event—this is something only Kawaisōni! could pull off.

You can’t help but feel a deep sense of respect for Kawaisōni!’s extraordinary creative output and drive, as well as for the production team who brought all of these ideas to life in so many tangible forms.

④ Deliberately Cheap Touches in Otherwise High-Budget Installations

What makes Kawaisōni! Department Store even more fascinating is the direction of its attention to detail.

There’s no doubt about it—the level of craftsmanship is incredibly thorough, with no corners cut.

And yet, on top of these clearly high-budget foundations, there are moments where you can’t help but think, “Wait… they used that?” It feels as if certain elements are intentionally finished with surprisingly cheap or unexpected materials.

For example, this is one of the areas where deliberately cheap-looking materials are used. Normally, this would be a place where you’d expect higher quality—but it almost feels like Kawaisōni! intentionally chose to dial it back.

This is just my personal interpretation, but since this world is centered around endearingly awkward and slightly pitiful characters, it may be that the “imperfect” finish is exactly the point. By not making everything flawless, it creates a sense of warmth—something that feels handmade and human—which could be a deliberate expression of Kawaisōni!’s creative intent.

⑤ Total Immersion in the World

The items displayed in each shop at Kawaisōni! Department Store all feel as if they’ve jumped straight out of Kawaisōni!’s world. The characters and designs originally created as illustrations are brought into the real world exactly as they are, presented as physical objects.

Of course, you can’t actually wear them, eat them, put things inside the bags, or read the books.

And yet, strangely enough, the longer you stay inside Kawaisōni! Department Store, the more they begin to feel like real, functional items from everyday life.

Apparel, books, skewers, cakes, bags, cosmetics—everything starts to take on a sense of reality.

There are damp sweat stains under both armpits of the shirt… In Kawaisōni!’s world, even sweat stains become cutting-edge design.

 

⑥ The “Photo Spot” Problem

Asking for the “Top 3 photo spots” is honestly a bit pointless. Even “Top 10” doesn’t make much sense either.

The moment you try to count them, you realize there’s no end to it.

Everything in sight is photo-worthy—every corner is a potential photo spot.

All throughout the venue, you’ll see visitors taking pictures with all kinds of items, capturing moments wherever they go.

⑦ Interactive Experiences

There are also interactive areas where you can engage directly with machines and tablets, including a game corner, fortune-telling, and even a facial analysis for makeup.

“KA-O-SHIN-DAN” by the cosmetics brand “DEPACOS” literally means “facial analysis.” The choice to present it in romanized Japanese, rather than translating it, shows a sharp sense of style.

And this face analysis? It doesn’t hold back—you’ll be playfully roasted without mercy.

It’s not just something you look at—it’s a “department store you participate in,” which is part of what makes it so unique.

Of course, there’s also a real shop where you can purchase must-have limited items that fans will absolutely love.

* Please note: once you enter the shopping area and complete your purchase, you won’t be able to return to the exhibition space.

* Make sure to fully enjoy the exhibition area to your heart’s content before wrapping up your visit with some shopping at the end!

⑧ The Atmosphere (Absolutely Essential)

Opanchu Usagi has been the most popular character among teenage girls for two years in a row.

But the visitors here span all kinds of age groups—you’ll see couples and even happily married pairs enjoying the experience together. And throughout the venue, everyone seems to be smiling.

It’s impossible not to soften your expression. The lovable characters, along with the detailed items and immersive world they create, fill the space with a truly warm and joyful atmosphere.

You can really feel how high the visitors’ satisfaction is.

Conclusion

Deliberately pushing taboo expressions while treating them with complete seriousness—this was, in every sense, “serious, grand-scale playfulness.”

For fans, of course, but even for those with only a passing interest, this is absolutely worth a visit.

If you’re looking to step away from everyday reality, this is a highly recommended space.

I already find myself wanting to go back to the B2 floor I reluctantly left behind… it’s the kind of addictive experience that makes you want to visit multiple times during the exhibition period.

Did I lose track of time?
Was I there for over two hours before I knew it?
Did I take hundreds of photos?
Is there really any other space this fun? (personal impression)

Admission is free for junior high school students and younger!

If you’re wondering where to take your kids, this is definitely a place I would recommend.

Event Information

Admission Fees

• Junior high school students and under: Free
• High school students: ¥1,500
• General admission: ¥3,300

Venue
Yokohama Sky Building
B1 & B2 Floors
2-19-12 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
(Directly connected to the East Exit of Yokohama Station)

Opening Hours
10:00 – 19:00

Event Period
April 25 (Sat) – July 20 (Mon, national holiday)

Kawaisōni! Department Store – Ticket Information for International Visitors

Tickets for Kawaisōni! Department Store can be purchased by visitors from overseas as well.

We recommend purchasing tickets in advance through the official ticketing website or authorized online platforms. Some services may require registration depending on your country or region.

Please check the official information page for the latest details on availability, pricing, and supported payment methods.

At the entrance, electronic or printed tickets will be accepted for admission.

We look forward to welcoming you to Kawaisōni! Department Store.

Official Ticket Site (International Visitors)
Please check the official website for the latest ticket information and purchase options.

 

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Kawaisōni! Department Store – Official Ticket Information (For International Visitors)

Tickets for Kawaisōni! Department Store can be purchased online through the official ticketing platform below:

Official Ticket Page (Japan):
https://l-tike.com/event/mevent/?mid=777772

We recommend securing your tickets in advance, as entry may be limited depending on the date and time slot.

This ticketing service is operated by a major official ticket provider in Japan. International visitors can access the page and check availability directly online.

Important Notes for Overseas Visitors

• The ticket page is primarily designed for the Japanese market
• Some ticket types or payment methods may be restricted to domestic users
• Availability may vary depending on registration requirements or purchase conditions
• We strongly recommend checking the official page for the latest information before booking

Experience Kawaisōni! Department Store

Step into a fully immersive world of creativity, humor, and detailed storytelling. From fashion and cosmetics to food and interactive experiences, every corner of the venue brings the unique universe of Kawaisōni! to life.

 

Japanese version → https://hot-letter.com/ja/kawaisoni-department-review/