Kandu Makuhari Shintoshin is a family-friendly theme park where children can experience a wide variety of jobs in a fun and realistic setting. Located inside AEON Mall Makuhari Shintoshin, the park opened in December 2013 and has become a popular destination for families.
The concept is simple: children can try jobs that they would normally have little opportunity to experience in the real world. Through hands-on activities, they can learn about different professions while enjoying themselves as the main participants.
Kandu Makuhari Shintoshin is divided into six distinctive areas, each offering activities based on different themes. Children can choose from a wide range of occupations and earn “Kacchin,” a special in-park currency, by taking part in certain job experiences.
The Kacchin they earn can then be used for various activities and services within the facility. Parents can also participate in many experiences with their children, making the park suitable for enjoying together as a family.
The park also has a restaurant where each visitor is provided with a designated seat. Families can enjoy meals between activities without having to leave the facility.
This makes it possible to spend several hours at the park comfortably, even when children want to try multiple jobs during their visit.
Kandu was developed by the American company DCT as a theme park centered on job experiences for children, with facilities introduced in different parts of the world.
Kandu Makuhari Shintoshin was the first Kandu facility in Japan. In 2016, the operating company changed and the current operator took over the business.
One of Kandu’s biggest attractions is the wide variety of professions available. Many activities are developed in cooperation with companies and organizations, helping recreate the atmosphere and tasks associated with real workplaces.
Brand partner: Japan Airlines
Children can become pilots and operate an aircraft using a flight simulator. The experience introduces them to both the excitement and responsibility of flying an airplane.
Brand partner: Japan Airlines
Children take on the role of cabin crew members, making announcements and serving drinks to passengers. The activity provides an enjoyable introduction to hospitality and customer service.
Supporting organization: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
With cooperation from JAXA, children can experience a space mission by taking on roles such as astronauts and mission commanders. They work together on a simulated rocket launch and discover the teamwork involved in space exploration.
Supporting organization: St. Luke’s College of Nursing
Children can experience caring for a baby by feeding it and changing diapers. Through these activities, they learn about care, responsibility, and compassion.
Brand partner: Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)
Children become road service workers and help solve simulated vehicle problems. The activity introduces the important role these workers play in helping drivers when they encounter trouble on the road.
Children can put on stylish costumes and experience walking along a runway while learning basic walking and posing techniques. It offers a fun introduction to the world of fashion and modeling.
Brand partner: Kracie Foods
Children can create their own original sweets while learning about the fascinating science behind “Nerunerunerune”. The activity combines creativity with a simple introduction to science and food chemistry.
Brand partner: AEON Bank
Children can experience working at a bank counter by counting Kacchin banknotes, exchanging money, and learning about how money moves through a financial institution.
They can also take on the role of a customer and experience charging their Kacchin balance, providing a playful introduction to everyday financial activities.
Kandu offers many other professions in addition to those above. Children can choose from activities inspired by jobs such as director, announcer, dentist, takoyaki chef, scientist, boat racer, and YouTuber.
Brand partner: Nippon Cultural Broadcasting
Children can operate broadcasting equipment, give instructions to help a live program run smoothly, and adjust audio levels. The activity provides a hands-on introduction to the work behind a radio or broadcast program.
Brand partner: Sunstar
Children can experience the roles of a dentist and dental hygienist using equipment similar to that found in an actual dental clinic. The activity offers an engaging introduction to dental care and professional healthcare work.
Brand partner: Cold Stone Creamery Japan
Children can make their own original dessert by mixing ice cream with fruit and chocolate on a chilled stone surface kept at approximately -9°C. They can even enjoy the experience while singing, just as at a real Cold Stone Creamery store.
Workshops are also available for an additional participation fee of 500 yen. One example is a hands-on activity where children can create a decorative herbarium ballpoint pen.
Children can use the Kacchin they have earned through job experiences to enjoy a nail-art service within the park.
Visitors can purchase a pizza-making kit inside the facility and create their own pizza by choosing and arranging their favorite toppings.
Children can learn dance movements from an instructor and enjoy moving to music. The activity encourages self-expression, rhythm, and creativity.
In cooperation with Chiba Urban Monorail, children can experience being a monorail driver using a simulator. Realistic video imagery and controls create an immersive driving experience.
The park is open throughout the year, although its operating schedule can vary depending on the season. The following schedule is based on the information provided as of December 2023.
High season includes weekends and national holidays, as well as major school vacation periods such as spring break, Golden Week, summer vacation, and winter vacation.
The operating sessions are 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the morning session and 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the afternoon session.
Low season refers to periods outside the high-season dates described above. The operating hours listed for this period are also 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the morning session and 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the afternoon session.
The nearest station is Kaihin-Makuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line. From the station, it is approximately a 15-minute walk to the facility.
It takes approximately 10 minutes from the Wangan-Narashino Interchange on the Shuto Expressway Bayshore Route and Higashi-Kanto Expressway.
Parking is available, making the facility convenient for families traveling by car.
Kandu Makuhari Shintoshin gives children the opportunity to step into the shoes of pilots, cabin crew members, scientists, broadcasters, healthcare professionals, chefs, creators, and many other workers.
By combining realistic job experiences with games, teamwork, and its own in-park currency, Kandu creates an environment where children can explore different interests while spending quality time with their families.
For families visiting Chiba, it is a distinctive destination where learning, imagination, and hands-on play come together, making it a memorable place to discover the many possibilities of the working world.