FamilyMart, one of Japan’s leading convenience store chains (known locally as “konbini”), has launched a major collaboration with Sanrio Virtual Festival 2026, one of the world’s largest virtual music festivals. Starting February 8, 2026, this event features a variety of initiatives that blend the real and virtual worlds, including a FamilyMart store appearing in the metaverse, sales of limited-edition character merchandise, and original prints available via multi-function printers in physical stores across Japan.
Experience a Convenience Store in Virtual Space! An Immersive VR Booth
A major highlight of this collaboration is the FamilyMart booth set up within the social VR platform “VRChat.” From February 8 to March 8, 2026, a virtual store sporting the familiar logo will appear inside the permanent VR theme park, “Virtual Sanrio Puroland.”
In the previous festival held in 2025, FamilyMart’s official app character, “Famippe,” made its first VR appearance and became a huge topic of conversation. Last year, the character was so popular that users formed long lines just to take photos with it. The performance, where the character pulled out “Famichiki” (Japan’s wildly popular fried chicken) and shopping baskets in the 3D space, was highly praised as entertainment unique to the virtual world.
For the 2026 event, the experience has evolved even further. Inside the booth, there are interactive gimmicks such as “Virtual Famichiki” and “Virtual Famima Print” that avatars can hold and play with. Users can enjoy the surreal experience of handling a Japanese convenience store’s signature products while in their own character forms. Furthermore, a joint virtual greeting (meet-and-greet) featuring Famippe and Sanrio characters is scheduled, providing fans with a precious opportunity for interaction.
Sanrio Virtual Festival 2026 Event Overview
Details of this festival, where fans from around the world gather as avatars, are as follows:
- Event Period: Sunday, February 8, 2026 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Location: Virtual Sanrio Puroland (inside VRChat)
- Ticket Sales Period: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – Monday, March 16, 2026, 2:00 PM
- Standard Ticket Price: 8,800 JPY (approx. 58.67 USD)
- Online Streaming (Lemino/SPWN) Ticket: 4,400 JPY (approx. 29.33 USD)
- Official Event Website 🇯🇵
By changing into the original avatar “Mochipoly” and participating, you can experience an overwhelming sense of immersion, as if you have wandered into the real Sanrio Puroland in Japan.
Online Exclusive! Special Collab Goods Connected by “Pe”
To commemorate its first anniversary, the ” FamilyMart Online Store 🇯🇵 ” is offering pre-orders for special limited-edition goods celebrating this event. The highlight is a collaboration between characters who both have the sound “Pe” in their names: FamilyMart’s “Famippe” and Sanrio’s popular character “Ahiru no Pekkle.”
Ahiru no Pekkle x Famippe “Nakayoshi” Pair Mascots
These adorable pair mascots feature the duo wearing matching T-shirts with the character “Pe” (ぺ) written on them. A fine detail to note: the “Pe” character is also designed onto the strap of the mascot.
- Price: 3,300 JPY (approx. 22.00 USD)
- Pre-order Period: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Pickup Period: Friday, July 10, 2026 – Thursday, July 23, 2026
- Sales Region: Nationwide in Japan
Sanrio Characters x Famippe Plush Eco-bags
These plush-style eco-bags combine practicality with cuteness. They are available in two designs: “Ahiru no Pekkle” and “Hello Kitty.” When not in use as a bag, they can be folded into the plush and carried as a charm.
- Price: 3,740 JPY (approx. 24.93 USD)
- Lineup: Ahiru no Pekkle, Hello Kitty
- Pre-order Period: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 10:00 AM – Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Pickup Period: Friday, July 10, 2026 – Thursday, July 23, 2026
Available In-Store in Japan! Limited “Famima Print”
“Famima Print,” which allows customers to purchase designs via the “multi-function printers” found in FamilyMart stores across Japan, will also be available. The collection spans four categories, including stickers and bromides.
1. Ichigo Shinbun Designs! Collaboration Commemorative Stickers
These designs are based on the historical covers of Sanrio’s long-running publication, “The Strawberry News” (Ichigo Shinbun). The collection includes special versions featuring FamilyMart’s brand colors, blue and green.
- Sales Period: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
- Price: Sticker Paper (L size) 500 JPY (approx. 3.33 USD), etc.
- Format: Random (15 types total) or Selectable (12 types total)
2. Sanrio Virtual Festival 2026 Special Collaboration Vol. 1
These are bromides (photo-style prints) and stickers capturing famous scenes from the virtual parade and performances by participating artists.
- Sales Period: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Tuesday, March 31, 2026
- Price: Bromide (L size) 200 JPY (approx. 1.33 USD), Sticker Paper (L size) 400 JPY (approx. 2.67 USD)
- Format: Selectable (12 types total)
3. Popular VTubers Appear! Special Collaboration Vol. 2
In the second volume, world-famous VTubers and virtual artists, including “Kizuna AI,” make their appearance one after another.
- Sales Period: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Tuesday, March 31, 2026
- Price: Bromide (L size) 200 JPY (approx. 1.33 USD), Sticker Paper (L size) 400 JPY (approx. 2.67 USD)
- Format: Selectable (20 types total)
4. Collaboration Limited Design Stickers
These stickers are based on the main collaboration visual and the designs of the online merchandise.
- Sales Period: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
- Price: Sticker Paper (L size) 400 JPY (approx. 2.67 USD), Sticker Paper (2L size) 600 JPY (approx. 4.00 USD)
- Format: Selectable (3 types total)
FamilyMart’s Challenge for its 45th Anniversary
FamilyMart will celebrate its 45th anniversary in September 2026. In line with this, the company has introduced a new slogan: “Ichi-ban Challenge: Making Many of Your ‘Number Ones’.”
This collaboration with Sanrio V-Fes is a concrete realization of one of their eight focus areas: “Exciting and Fun” experiences. by adding the extraordinary element of the virtual world to the convenience store—a place essential to daily life—they are providing a new form of entertainment.
The experience at the virtual venue is full of surprises that differ from a physical store. You can jump into the metaverse by getting a ticket, or if you are in Japan, you can grab limited prints at a nearby shop. Why not enjoy this massive collaboration in a way that suits you best?
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