If you are in Japan with the kids, you should plan to “travel” to KidZania, an amusement park where your children get to role-play working at nearly 100 jobs and activities in a child-sized city created in the entire park. Inside of KidZania, there are shops, vehicles and a functional society where your children can participate for activities in the city. For example, working at the Radio Station, Bank, Hospital and any other company or shops existing inside this small city for kids. Here, Children can learn how the society works in the real world and the mechanism of capitalism.
https://www.facebook.com/kidZania.japan/photos/a.291413930949577.68000.235425019881802/689965654427734/?type=3&theater
After finishing their jobs, kids get paid in the local currency of Kidzania, “kidZos”. They can use kidZos in any shops and activities to buy something they want to. KidZania is the great place to go when you are in Japan with small children. Your children will learn and experience how it is like to be working in the society. There are now two locations in Japan; KidZania Tokyo and KidZania Koshien and it is planned to be opened in other cities in the near future..
https://www.facebook.com/kidZania.japan/photos/a.291413930949577.68000.235425019881802/702966103127689/?type=3&theater
KidZania is the great place to be if you are in either cities with your children. Here is some tips for you and your kids to get the most out of the amusement park.
Plan Ahead
You can book your ticket online up to three months ahead so that your children can reserve the activities they want to participate. They usually have long line-ups for the working simulation, especially for some of the popular activities. KidZania both in Tokyo and Kobe operate two shifts daily from 9am-3pm for the first shift and 4pm to 9pm for the second shift. Though some parents told us it is better to book for both shifts as your kids can receive the priority seats for the second shift during the first shift thus they don’t have to wait in a long line waiting to work. Yet still with one shift they can enjoy as much as they can.
Wednesday for English
KidZania provides a few English options for the work simulations, though on Wednesday they have English speaking day where your children can participate most activities in English meet many English speaking friends.
https://www.facebook.com/kidZania.japan/photos/a.291413930949577.68000.235425019881802/709548479136118/?type=3&theater
Some of the most popular sites are Bakery, Bottling Plant, Hamburger Shop, Pizza Shop, Airplane, Wedding Ceremony and Fire Department. Thus if your children want to participate on one of those, be aware that you might need to wait for around 30 minutes.
https://www.facebook.com/kidZania.japan/photos/a.291413930949577.68000.235425019881802/770956449661987/?type=3&theater
Children can bring home what they made in the activities. For example, working at pizzeria, Pizza-la, they can bring home the pizza they made. By working at the stamp shop, the kids can bring home a stamp with engraved name on it and that makes a great souvenir. One peer reviewer has mentioned that his beloved daughter made a milk soap while they are there though he cannot even use it is too good and precious to use. (haha)
KidZania Tokyo
https://www.kidzania.jp/tokyo/en/
Hours: 1st shift: 9:00-15:00 / 2nd shift: 16:00-21:00
(Doors open 30 minutes before shifts)
KidZania
https://www.kidzania.jp/koshien/en/
Hours: 1st shift: 9:00-15:00 / 2nd shift: 16:00-21:00
(Doors open 30 minutes before shifts)
Top photo source:
https://www.facebook.com/kidZania.japan/photos/a.291413930949577.68000.235425019881802/649626448461655/?type=3&theater
Comments