How to buy tickets
When you decide on a date to visit, make online reservations. Up to the day before (until 23:55) of your date of visit, it is possible to cancel/change dates/change plans/change number of people visiting. Changes can be made up to 3 times. Some dates will become sold out around one week before the desired date of visit, especially on weekends and holidays.
It’s possible to get tickets on the day of your visit starting at 7:40 am but they are limited in number and you may not be able to get them. It’s advisable to buy tickets online beforehand.
When is a good day/time to visit?
Weekends (Sat & Sun) are basically crowded. Weekdays during spring break (around 3/20 to 4/5), summer break (around 7/20 to 8/31), winter break (around 12/25 to 1/8) are somewhat crowded. During crowded dates, it’s a good idea to go for the 2nd Shift (16:00-21:00) because families with small children will avoid the late time. Avoid Mondays! Many schools have make-up holidays on Mondays so it tends to get crowded. Weekdays during the first week of November gets a little crowded too as many private school elementary children get time off for entrance examinations.
What ages?
Age restrictions
The children are basically on their own while participating in activities at KidZania by themselves. Guardians can watch them from a distance through windows or through the monitors at waiting room benches. The target age is from 3 to 15 years old but if the child is 3 years old but find it difficult to separate from guardians, there are few activities they will be able to enjoy.
The children who come to KidZania are generally around 5 to 10 years old. Children aged up to 15 can participate but the older ones might find it uncomfortable because the majority of children around them are younger. Guardians, whose children can act independently and participate on their own, can relax at the lounge.
Height restrictions
There are some activities with height restrictions.
More than 120cm: Climbing building (Climbing), (Maintenance staff)
More than 110 cm: Driver’s License Testing Center, Rental car
Caution: when many children (siblings and friends) go together
Go in small groups when possible
The number of participants for each KidZania activity is limited. There are often cases when only one spot is available so one child can move around more efficiently. The fewer the number of children, the possibility of available spots become higher.
Best to go with friends whose tastes are similar
When the children are too small and cannot compromise, friends may end up quarreling over activities. A child who wants to try the fashion model activity and another who wants to participate in the firefighting activity will probably not be able to compromise.
In case of siblings
Ideally, it would be best if there are the same number of guardians as children. When siblings or friends with a big age difference go together, there may be cases when some of the members cannot pass the height limit restrictions.
English Wednesday！
They tell you that every Wednesday is English Wednesday and approximately half of the activities are conducted in English. However, the staff tend not to be fluent in English so don’t expect too much from them. They usually just recite instructions rotely. I think children can enjoy the activities just as well in Japanese on weekdays other than English Wednesday.
EAP [5 English Activities Program]
If you really want English activities, buy the ticket called EAP (5 English Activities Program), With this ticket, children can experience the following five activities with English-speaking guides:
Hamburger Shop, Ponzu Factory, Dental Clinic, Fire Department, City Clock
This ticket is 2000 yen more expensive than regular tickets but the price is worth it as you can experience the above five activities without any wait times. Please note that you’ll need to make reservations one week in advance.
Is it necessary to wait in line from the morning?
If you really want to participate in the following popular activities, you’ll have to arrive early, line up and get numbered tickets.
- Sweets factory (making Hi-Chew sweets)
- Hanko stamp store (making stamps with your names in your own handwriting)
- Glasses shop (making glasses)
- Becoming a bride at a wedding ceremony
If you’re not picky about which activities you want to experience, it’s enough to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the opening of KidZania. If you have big bags and coats you want to store in the coin locker, arrive early to allow for enough time. In addition to the coin lockers in the exit area, there are many coin lockers in the entrance area as you go up the escalator.
Reasons for lining up
The system at KidZania works in such a way that after putting in a reservation for one activity, you cannot sign up for another reservation until you finish the first activity. Thus, if you arrive late, you can only reserve a late time and you’ll have to wait around for the appointed time. You’ll only be able to participate in activities that don’t require reservations. You can use your time efficiently and smoothly if you can reserve an activity for an early time slot and systematically go around. If you have a late reservation, popular activities will fill up as you wait.
Waiting in line
One adult can line up for the entire family or group. It’s not necessary for everyone to line up.
1st Shift(9:00~15:00)
Line up and get numbered tickets at LaLaport Toyosu Center Port 1F. After going through reception on 3F, free time until 8:30 a.m.
Should be in line
Weekdays: from around 7:30 a.m.
Weekends (Sat & Sun), Japanese national holidays, holiday season: from around 6:30 a.m.
Where to line up:
LaLaport Toyosu Center Port 1F
Get numbered tickets which are distributed from 7:40 a.m. Then go up to 3F KidZania entrance
2nd Shift(16:00~21:00)
Although the opening time is late you can go in the morning and line up for reception.
Should be in line
Weekdays: from around 9:00 a.m.
Weekends (Sat & Sun), Japanese national holidays, holiday season: from around 8:00 a.m.
Where to line up:
KidZania Entrance
After temporary cards are distributed, wait until 9:20 a.m. Reception starts from around 10:20 a.m. and go back at 15:15.
Tips for enjoying without lining up
You don’t want to line up but you want to experience popular activities. Actually, there is a trick! The Japanese page and the English page of the KidZania website offers different types of tickets.The trick is to select the ticket type on the Japanese page and you can comfortably enjoy the activities without lining up.
Priority entrance pass
From 3 months before your desired date, a limited amount of priority tickets are sold (limited to 40 children for each shift, total of 80 children and adults). The tickets are priced 1,000 yen higher than regular tickets, but you can enter before the other visitors who are in line. Please be careful that the reception time is a little bit earlier.
Conclusion
- Avoid crowded days and go in small groups if possible
- Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to opening
- Line up if you want to participate in popular activities
- If you don’t want to line up, get the priority pass
In conclusion, while the children enjoy themselves, guardians will have to wait around. It will be a repetition of – wait for activity time to start with children – while the children participate, adults wait around until the activity ends. The children look so cute in their various uniforms and the guardians’ job will be to take pictures and videos of the little ones.
- Bring extra battery for the smart phone – please remember this is the most important point!
English
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