KidZania (especially in Tokyo) is super crowded and the reservation system is complex, making it a bit of a high hurdle, right?
So, I've put together a list of spots where you can have job-like experiences outside of KidZania, which our family calls "DIY KidZania." Why not make one of these your destination this summer!
Let's go through them one by one!
Kuroneko Yamato Museum (Shinagawa City)
It's about a 10-minute walk from the Konan Exit of Shinagawa Station, so it's a bit of a trek, but it's the Yamato Transport Museum.
They have a place where they lend out uniforms for children, so you can take striking photos like these.
Yes, they are undeniably cute.
https://x.com/yoppymodel/status/1672797516096761859
As an aside, when I tweeted this before, it went viral like crazy, so I was nervous thinking, "What if someone from Yamato Transport says, 'Thanks for the viral post! Here's 1 million yen as a reward!'"
*By the way, nothing in particular happened.
No reservation is required, admission is free, and there's a cafe attached, so it's great to just drop by and cool off when you're nearby!
Kuroneko Yamato Museum
https://www.yamato-hd.co.jp/museum/
Target Age: None in particular
Fee: Free
The Joy of Eating Pizza Made by Your Child: Domino's Pizza Academy
Next is the Pizza Academy provided by Domino's Pizza!
This is a pizza-making workshop where you can experience making pizza by stretching the dough and adding toppings while listening to explanations!
My son looks so happy with the toppings he chose himself.
You can take the pizza you made home, and the deliciousness of eating a pizza my son made at home... the deliciousness is just incredible...
When I kept praising him saying, "Delicious! You're a genius!", he started saying things like, "Maybe I'll become a pizza maker in Harajuku." I want him to become the world's best pizza chef.
Advance reservation is required!
Pizza Academy
https://www.dominos.jp/pizza-academy
Target Age: 3 years old and up
Fee: 2,200 yen on weekdays, 2,500 yen on weekends. 1,100 yen per guardian. You can take the hat and apron home.
Don't Forget McDonald's 'Mac Adventure'
And then there's "Mac Adventure," the job experience menu provided by McDonald's. Since our family relies on McDonald's a lot (mainly for Happy Meals), he was really looking forward to it, saying, "I'm going to work at Mac!"
After deciding on a hamburger with original toppings, a staff member stays with them the whole time, teaching them how to wash their hands and how to grill the buns and patties.
And here is the completed original set.
I really wanted to eat the hamburger my son made, but he wouldn't let me have a single bite, saying, "This is mine!!" How cruel.
Target: 3 years old and up
Amount: Special Burger Plan: 1,780 yen
==== A Little Promotion Here ====
Since the heat has been truly abnormal lately, I made a fan-equipped cool vest for toddlers aged 1.5 to 4 years old (size 110)! Its name is "Baby Air"! In short, it's like a "wearable fan" that protects your precious child from the intense heat!
Handy fans occupy your hands, ice packs melt quickly, and fan-equipped sheets for strollers don't work if the child dislikes the stroller or if you have multiple children. In that regard, this "Baby Air" can be used whether they are walking, in a stroller, or on a bicycle!
It's been selling like crazy on Amazon lately and has very high ratings in the review section, so please make it your companion for summer outings!
Thank you!
Baby Air Official
==== End of Promotion ====
Apparel Brand 'GAP' Job Experience
Next is the job experience at the apparel brand "GAP"!
You can experience various things in a process of about an hour, such as practicing greetings, being allowed to work the register, and exploring the inside of the store.
The target age is 3 years old and up, but when my 2-year-old daughter was wandering around nearby, the staff asked, "Do you want to do it together?" and she got to participate in the experience too.
Successfully got the certificate of completion too!
Advance reservation is required, but it's free!
It's held at stores all over the country, so find a nearby store, make a reservation, and head over there! (Membership registration is required for reservations)
【BRANNAN CLUB】Job Experience & Workshop Events
https://www.gap.co.jp/news/post/?news_id=692
Target Age: 3 years old and up
Fee: Free
Various Others
The above are the various DIY KidZania experiences our family has tried, but there are other companies providing similar job experience plans, so how about visiting them one by one?
I hope you find these helpful too!
・Marugame Seimen Kids' Udon Class
https://jp.marugame.com/kodomoudon-taiken/
Target: 5 years old and up
Fee: 1,500 yen per person
・St. Marc Cafe Choco-cro Handmade Experience Class
https://saint-marc-hd.com/cafe/events/index.html
Target: 2 years old and up
Fee: Depends on the store
That's all!
And for summer outings, please also check out "Baby Air"!
Baby Air Official
