What kind of jobs can you experience? A detailed report on the activities at KidZania Fukuoka (Naka, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City)

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

This time, I went to KidZania Fukuoka with my elementary school children (1st and 4th graders)! I'd like to share with you what the activities were like for them.

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, a career and social experience facility for children (2nd floor, LaLaport Fukuoka)

KidZania is a "city where children are the main characters," where children can learn about how society works while having fun.

KidZania Fukuoka, located in Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Fukuoka, is the third facility in Japan, following Tokyo and Hyogo (Koshien). The target age group is 3 to 15 years old.

Based on the concept of "edutainment," which combines education and entertainment, this is a valuable experience that will help develop children's independence and social skills.

Image: Hakata Aya.

KidZania Fukuoka features around 50 pavilions from local and international companies. There are around 70 different activities (jobs and services)! You can try on authentic uniforms and get a more realistic work experience.

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

Opening hours and ticket prices

Basically, on weekdays there is one session from 9:00am to 5:00pm, but on holidays and HS (holiday season: long holidays designated by KidZania) there is a complete rotation system with the first session from 9:00am to 2:30pm and the second session from 3:30pm to 8:00pm.

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.

From here on, I will introduce the activities that my daughters experienced. *This time, we were allowed to take photos inside the pavilion for the purpose of reporting. Normally, parents are not allowed to enter the pavilion, with some exceptions.

[Simulation Technology Center] Experience the work of a "science engineer"

The first experience we had was at the "Simulation Technology Center" pavilion (exhibitor: Itochu Techno-Solutions), which opened in July 2023. As a "science engineer," you can learn by watching computer-generated replicas of what changes will occur when a bridge to be constructed is caught up in various disasters.

This is a rare activity that can only be experienced at KidZania Fukuoka, and not at KidZania in Tokyo or Koshien.

Image: Hakata Aya.

First, we change into our uniforms. They look futuristic and very cool!

Image: Hakata Aya.

The experience mainly focuses on "disaster simulations" using computers, but first you will use models to learn about the mechanisms of earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, etc.

Image: Hakata Aya.

After that, we divide the disasters into four categories: earthquake, tsunami, tornado, and tornado debris, and simulate how the bridge would change depending on the level of an actual disaster.

There were four of us in the group at the same time, so each person was in charge of one disaster. It was impressive to see everyone working seriously on the tasks they were assigned.

Image: Hakata Aya.

After simulating how the bridge would change in a real disaster, the participants then analyzed what would happen if an even bigger disaster were to occur. This activity took about 30 minutes.

The content is a little difficult for younger children, but my daughter, who is in the first grade of elementary school, shared her own realization with us: "It was difficult, but it helped me understand how difficult a disaster can be."

Image: Hakata Aya.

After your work experience, you will receive a salary!

After completing the task, you will receive "KidZos", a KidZania currency, as your salary. The amount varies depending on the activity you do, and I received 8 KidZos for the "Science Engineer" job!

Image: Hakata Aya.

You can use KidZos to shop at the mall or deposit them in the bank.

Depending on the activity, you may be given an "output", in this case a "job card" and a "download key card" which allows you to watch a video of the data learned that day (downloads are available for one week after the experience).

Image: Hakata Aya.

[Hospital] Experience working as a nurse in the newborn room

The next experience she chose was working in the newborn ward (nurse) in the Hospital Pavilion (exhibited by Aso, supervised by Iizuka Hospital).

Other jobs available include operating rooms, emergency medical centers, and rehabilitation centers.

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP

First, she changes into her uniform. The moment she puts on the clean blue uniform, my daughter looks fired up and ready to go.

Image: Hakata Aya.

First, the ZV (supervisor) will give you an explanation about the newborn room. After that, you will actually take care of a baby doll.

By the way, at KidZania, children are considered to be "adults," so when ZV calls a child, he adds "san" to their name and speaks to them in polite language.

Image: Hakata Aya.

As you take care of each baby sleeping side by side on the bed, you begin to feel attached to them as you progress through the activities.

Image: Hakata Aya.

First, we measure his weight. He is so serious when he takes off his clothes! He has the face of a nurse.

Image: Hakata Aya.

After that, the baby is given a bath in a sink filled with warm water. The sight of the mother gently supporting the baby with one hand and washing him clean is a nostalgic and moving sight for parents.

I was able to take good care of the baby I was in charge of!

Image: Hakata Aya.

The activity took about 30 minutes to complete. I received 8 KidZos.

This time, we were given special permission to take photos up close for the purpose of reporting, but usually parents watch from outside the pavilion.

Image: Hakata Aya.

[Dashi Shop] Experience the work of a "dashi craftsman"

The pavilion chosen for the final experience of the day was "Dashiya" (exhibitor: Kuhara Honke Group Headquarters). As a "dashi craftsman," you will make your own original dashi pack.

Image: Hakata Aya.

One of the attractions of Kidzania is being able to wear uniforms that rival the real thing, and the uniforms worn by the Dashiya chefs are particularly cute, with hats and aprons that look just like they belong to a craftsman!

Image: Hakata Aya.

Because we handle food, we take strict hygiene measures, such as tucking all hair into hats and washing our hands thoroughly.

Image: Hakata Aya.

First, you will learn more about dashi, including its importance as an essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine and how the ingredients vary depending on the region and the dish it is used in.

We also compared the taste of "miso soup without dashi" and "miso soup with dashi." The children seemed to be able to clearly feel the difference in taste, saying, "The one with dashi is richer!"

Image: Hakata Aya.

Next, you will have the opportunity to actually make your own dashi pack.

You can choose any dish you like, such as "chawanmushi," "ramen," or "tamagoyaki," and then measure out the amount of dashi that goes best with that dish, combine it, and pack it into a pack.

Image: Hakata Aya.

The moment when I put the dashi into the pack is very serious! I use the "scraping" technique that ZV taught me here. Be careful not to spill it!

Image: Hakata Aya.

The pack is sealed and finished! The activity took about 30 minutes. I received 5 KidZos.

You can take home the dashi pack you made as a gift.

Image: Hakata Aya.

My daughter, a fourth-grader, seemed very satisfied and said, "I learned how important dashi is in the dishes I eat every day. I'm looking forward to making tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) with the dashi I made myself!"

Image: Hakata Aya.

Until January 8, 2024! "Kidzo New Year's present" and "Make your own fortune badge"

During the period up until Monday, January 8th, 2024 (national holiday), all children who visit will receive a "10 Kidzo New Year's present"!

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP *Image is for illustrative purposes only

Also, for the same period until January 8th (Monday, national holiday), you can experience making your own fortune-telling badge at the Expo Center (City Map 1F-30) (experience fee: 10 Kizo, time required: 15 minutes).

The design of the badge will be decided by fortune-telling - Chukichi, Daikichi, Cho Daikichi. Try your luck for the new year!

Image: (C) KCJ GROUP *Image is for illustrative purposes only

We've only been able to introduce three this time, but KidZania Fukuoka currently has about 50 pavilions with around 70 different activities. There are so many pavilions crammed into the first and second floors, so we recommend carefully checking the city map on the official website or app before the day of your visit, and planning your time so you can experience as many of the activities you want to try as possible.

I have also written an article introducing how parents can spend their time, so please check that out as well (the article isHere(Text by Aya Hakata.)

＜Click on the facility name for more information about the facility ↓＞
■ KidZania Fukuoka
Address: Lalaport Fukuoka, 6-23-1 Naka, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: [Weekdays] 9:00-17:00 [Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and HS *Complete rotation system] <Part 1> 9:00-14:30 / <Part 2> 15:30-20:00
Closed: Irregular
*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the text include tax.

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