From what children can experience to how parents can spend their time! A comprehensive report on how to enjoy "KidZania Fukuoka" (Naka, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City)

Hello! I'm Hakata Aya, a writer who loves hot information about Fukuoka.

This time, I would like to report on "Kidzania Fukuoka," which opened in July 2022 in the large commercial facility "Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Fukuoka" in Naka, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City. (2 pages in total)

It's open during the first three days of the New Year, so it's also recommended for New Year's outings.
<Scheduled business hours: January 1st to 3rd, 2024>
January 1st Open all day (9:00-17:00)
January 2nd: 2 shifts (9:00-14:30, 15:30-20:00)
January 3rd: Two-part operation (9:00-14:30, 15:30-20:00)

KidZania Fukuoka (2nd floor of LaLaport Fukuoka) where you can experience real jobs

"Kidzania" is a "city where children are the main characters" where children can learn about the workings of society while having fun. "Kidzania Fukuoka" is the third base in Japan, following Tokyo and Hyogo (Koshien).

The target age group is 3 to 15 years old. Based on the concept of "edutainment" that combines education and entertainment, this is a valuable experience that will help develop children's independence and social skills.

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

KidZania Fukuoka has a variety of sponsors, including local Kyushu businesses and businesses from all over the world. There are currently about 50 pavilions with around 70 different activities (jobs and services)! You can try on authentic uniforms and experience more realistic activities.

A huge airplane welcomes you at the entrance!

In fact, you can actually go inside this plane as part of a work experience at ANA's "Airplane" pavilion.

Image: Hakata Aya.

Admission fees and duration of stay

Pricing plans vary depending on whether it is a weekday, holiday, or H.S. (holiday season: a long holiday designated by KidZania).

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

Basically, there is one session from 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, and on holidays and H.S. there is a complete rotation system with the first session from 9:00 to 14:30 and the second session from 15:30 to 20:00.

The tickets you need will vary depending on how long you plan to stay.

For example, a 4-hour ticket on weekdays costs 2,700 yen for kindergarteners (ages 3 and up), 3,000 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and 1,900 yen for adults (ages 16 and up). A 2-hour pass, available only on holidays and H.S. after 4 p.m., costs 2,000 yen for children (ages 3 to 15) and 1,100 yen for adults (ages 16 and up).

There are various discounts available, so please check the official website of "Kidzania Fukuoka" for details on opening hours and fees. By the way, "same-day tickets" are also available on a first-come, first-served basis, but they will be sold out once they are sold out, so we recommend that you make a reservation in advance as soon as your plans are decided.

Things you should do before entering

The trick to getting the most out of your visit to KidZania Fukuoka is to decide in advance what experiences you want to have!

Depending on the activity, registration may close early, so it's a good idea to prioritize the experiences you want.

We recommend that you carefully check the city map on the official website or app before the day of your experience, and plan your time so that you can experience as many of your desired activities as possible within the time allotted.

Image: Hakata Aya.

Let's enter!

When you complete the entry procedure at the entrance, you will receive a "job set" consisting of a "JOB schedule card" and a "50 KidZo card."

The "JOB Schedule Card" is a reservation card that lists the schedule of activities you will be experiencing. You can carry this around the facility.

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

Once you pass through the entrance gate...

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

There is a realistic cityscape there!

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

Even the smallest details, such as traffic lights and roads, are reproduced at approximately two-thirds the size of real life.

Image: Hakata Aya.

In such a city, Nishi-Nippon Railroad's "Open Top Pass" runs.

This bus is about 1/10 the size of the real thing. In addition to being able to experience the job of a "bus announcer," you can also ride as a passenger by using KidZos (KidZania's currency).

Image: Hakata Aya.

By the way, the buses that run through KidZania Tokyo are "Hato Buses." It's fun to get a feel for the local area.

Image: Hakata Aya.

Let's try out the activities now

When you find an activity that interests you, your child will go to the pavilion with the "JOB Schedule Card" they received upon entering and make a reservation. Once the reservation is complete, all you have to do is return to the pavilion by the meeting time (the meeting time is written on the JOB Schedule Card).

You can experience as many activities as you like within the time limit of your stay (which varies depending on your ticket), but once you have booked one activity, you will not be able to book another activity after the time you booked (you will be able to book the next activity as soon as the activity you have finished).

You can try out activities that finish before the reserved time, so make good use of your free time. There are many pavilions on the first and second floors, so please do your best to plan your schedule well.

Image: Hakata Aya.

Each activity takes about 30 to 50 minutes, and a supervisor will be there to support you, so you can have fun while experiencing the work (basically only children are allowed inside the work experience pavilion; parents are not allowed to enter with their children).

When you finish your work, you will receive not only your salary but also various "outputs" depending on your activity.

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

Here are some of the activities!

Fire Station

At the fire station, you will become a firefighter and train to act quickly when a disaster occurs, and to work together to put out a fire when it breaks out. You will actually get to ride in a fire truck and go out to work!

Image: Hakata Aya.

Soap Factory

At the Cow Milk Soap "Soap Factory" pavilion, you can learn about the process of making soap using the "kettle-fired method" and experience the manufacturing process until the soap is shaped.

You can take the soap home in its original packaging.

Image: Hakata Aya.

plane

At ANA's "Airplane" pavilion, you can experience the work of a "pilot" who trains to fly an airplane, and a "cabin attendant" who is responsible for meal service, etc.

"Cabin Attendant" allows parents to board the plane as passengers, allowing them to keep a closer eye on their children (there is a limit to the number of passengers allowed).

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

Mask Workshop

An activity that requires payment in KidZos (KidZania's exclusive currency) is the mask-making experience at Shirohato's Mask Workshop.

After learning about the structure and function of masks, you can choose your favorite color and pattern and make an original mask that fits your face size.

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP