Child labor – pretty much EVERYONE sees it as a bad thing. I, for one, am grateful that I didn’t have to work in the mines instead of going to school (although I was never happy to go to school). But here in Japan… well, no, it’s a bad thing here too. But! There is a place that you can pay $70 to have your kid work! You heard that right! And that worker wonderland is Kidzania – actually one of the best ideas ever!
There were tons of…jobs to choose from. Baker, police officer, fire fighter, surgeon, stock broker, gas station attendant – there’s something for every little dreamer.
Working Class Kids
Kidzania is an “amusement park” of sorts. It’s a place where kids as young as 3 can step into the shoes of professionals at 77 real companies, including Hanshin Electric Railway, Nintendo, and Yakult. Umm….what?! Not fully wrapping your head around this yet? On paper it sounds daft. But in actuality this mini town-of-jobs is a brilliant idea.
No, the kids aren’t doing real work; they’re getting a hands-on lesson at each “job.” Take Yakult, for example. Kids get to peer through a real microscope, conduct mini science experiments, and enjoy a free Yakult drink at the end. It’s a playful introduction to the real world, a sneak peek into the responsibilities that lie ahead.
But here’s where it gets even better – after their “shift” is over, the kids are paid in KidZos, Kidzania’s currency. Kind of like scoring coins in a game, right? They can then go to Takashimaya (a real department store chain) and spend that hard earned cash (or work as a clerk if they so chose) or open a bank account at SMBC (a real bank) and save up for something really expensive (a “Life” board game, for example). They can then take out their cash at various ATMs around Kidzania town. It’s a delightful simulation of life’s daily grind, and the kids absolutely love it.
My son couldn’t get enough of Kidzania. We’ll definitely be going back again. Who would’ve thought that the mundane system of life, like working, would have been so much fun?
Surprisingly popular
Well, obviously somebody did, because Kidzania is doing gangbusters. There are numerous locations around Japan and they are packed. We chose the supposedly least crowded day – a Monday – arrived right at opening, and still couldn’t reserve the job my son wanted to try most – chocolatier. All available reservations for that job (and a few more) were filled up from the get go! Other days, and particularly weekends, are supposedly even more packed!
Luckily there were tons of other jobs to choose from. Baker, police officer, fire fighter, surgeon, stock broker, gas station attendant – there’s something for every little dreamer. And the kids really try out what the jobs entail. It was the funniest thing to see little tykes walking around with hardhats, checking the pipes with little computers for the waterworks. Or watching the delivery van putter around town for Yamato Transport and then the tiny delivery-kids filing out to hand out packages. My son had a hoot at Yakult, researching chemicals at Rohto (they made hand cream), designing a level at Nintendo, and making a croissant at a bakery.
Parenting tools
Kidzania also serves as a fantastic parenting tool. The systems are designed so that ONLY the kids can do them. Like the job reservation system empowers the kids to make their own decisions, fostering self-reliance (the parents aren’t allowed to reserve the jobs for them). And opening a bank account, and the jobs themselves, can only be done by the children. This gently nudges even the shy ones to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and discover the joy of independence. As a parent, it’s heartening to see your child navigate the world on their own terms.
Beyond the immediate enjoyment, Kidzania also offers a glimpse into the future. Kids can potentially discover their true passions by getting a taste of what a job is like. More often than not, they’ll also figure out what they don’t want to do – an equally crucial lesson. Plus, this mini work wonderland introduces them to the concept of earning money and the value of self-sufficiency. While I’m not a huge fan of the current system of life (it’s exploitative nature is destroying the environment, no longer creating true opportunity for prosperity, and devolving into more of a system where the 99% are merely here to cater to the 1%), it is the system we have to live with and it’s good to understand how to do so.
Now, here’s the catch – parents have to pay for tickets even though they can’t participate in the activities. It’s a minor inconvenience, but considering the valuable experiences our kids gain, the price tag (2400 yen, thankfully cheaper than the 4500 for kids) seems a small sacrifice. And if you were like us, you might be able to score a huge discount somewhere.
Now get ready for a twist! Kidzania may sound like a uniquely Japanese experience, but guess what? It’s not! It first came into existence in Mexico and has since spread across the world, so you might not need a plane ticket to enjoy it.
I realize that today’s Explore Japan topic may not resonate with everyone (I highly recommend going out there and having kids to rectify that!). Yet, beyond the amusement park facade, Kidzania offers a profound insight into the essence of Japan. While it may not be inherently Japanese, at its core, it embodies the values of Japanese culture. It teaches children to be self-reliant, like in the delightful, VERY Japanese TV show, “Old Enough” (a show where parents set their 4 or 5 year old child out on an errand by themselves). So, whether you find yourself in the heart of Japan or somewhere else on this vast globe, keep your eyes peeled for the miniature city of dreams – because, who knows, it might just become the highlight of your child’s playtime and a glimpse into their future.
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*I don’t use AI for my artwork. These filler images are just for fun and aren’t meant to represent my art so they have been labeled “AI GENERATED.” I want my blog to be enjoyable for you but I don’t have 2-6 hours to draw each image (this blog is done in my free time). If you’re against AI in art, please direct your criticism elsewhere (maybe someone trying to pass off AI generated images as their art). I am not doing that.
This sounds incredible…I want to go! I’m delighted my great-nephew wanted to be a chocolatier — love of chocolate must run in the blood. 😉 Thanks for sharing this grand adventure with all of us.