Kidzania Koshien is an interactive theme park where children can try out a wide variety of jobs in a realistic, child-sized town. Located inside LaLaport Koshien in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, the facility offers approximately 100 types of work and service experiences, allowing children to learn about different professions while having fun.
Kidzania Koshien is an educational entertainment facility operated by KCJ GROUP, formerly known as Kids City Japan. It is situated within the LaLaport Koshien shopping complex and provides children with opportunities to explore the working world through hands-on activities.
The plan to open Japan’s second Kidzania facility was announced on October 4, 2007, with Koshien in Nishinomiya selected as the location. Kidzania Koshien officially opened on March 27, 2009, and has since become a popular destination for families.
The facility operates on an irregular schedule, with opening days and times varying. Its sessions are generally divided into two separate periods:
First session: 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (6 hours)
Second session: 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. (5 hours)
Kidzania Koshien uses a session-based system, with visitors leaving at the end of their booked session before the next group enters. Children aged 3 to 15 can participate in the job experiences. Adults may enter only as accompanying guardians and cannot take part in the occupational activities themselves.
Parking benefits are available in Parking Lot G, including up to six hours of free parking under the applicable conditions. On days when baseball games are held at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, a special parking-fee exemption system may also apply. Visitors using this benefit should take care not to insert their parking ticket into the machine used to validate the special zero-fee parking system. As parking rules and benefits may change, checking the latest official information before visiting is recommended.
Many of the pavilions at Kidzania Koshien are also found at Kidzania Tokyo. However, Koshien has its own distinctive attractions sponsored by companies with strong ties to the Kansai region. These activities introduce children to a broad range of occupations, from transportation and manufacturing to food preparation, healthcare, and creative work.
Train: Sponsored by Hankyu Hanshin Holdings and Hanshin Electric Railway, this pavilion introduces children to railway operations.
Farmers Center: Presented by Yanmar, this activity offers an introduction to agriculture and farming-related work.
Drugstore: Sponsored by Cocokara Fine, it gives children a glimpse into the work of a drugstore.
Automobile Factory: Presented by Mitsubishi Motors, this pavilion introduces children to automobile manufacturing.
Sushi Restaurant: Sponsored by SRS Holdings, formerly Sato Restaurant Systems, this experience lets children explore the work involved in preparing and serving sushi.
Painting Wall: Presented by Asahipen, this activity introduces painting techniques and related work.
Horse Park: Sponsored by the Japan Racing Association, it offers an introduction to horses and horse-related professions.
Post-Recording Studio: Presented by ECC, this pavilion gives children a chance to experience voice recording and post-production work.
Fashion Boutique: Sponsored by F.O. International, it introduces children to the fashion retail industry.
Medical Research Institute: Presented by Rohto Pharmaceutical, this activity introduces children to pharmaceutical research and healthcare-related work.
Barbershop and Beauty Salon: Sponsored by Kai Corporation, this pavilion offers an introduction to hairdressing and personal grooming services.
Glass Factory: Presented by AGC, it introduces children to glass manufacturing.
Computer Factory: Sponsored by Mouse Computer, this pavilion explores the assembly and production of computers.
Kitchen Remodeling Center: Presented by Takara Standard, it introduces children to kitchen design and remodeling.
Packaging Lab: Sponsored by Dai Nippon Printing, this pavilion explores packaging and printing technology. It was renewed in March 2023 from the former Printing Workshop pavilion.
Kidzania Koshien has also hosted a variety of pavilions that have since closed or been replaced. Examples include a sightseeing bus experience operated by Shinki Bus, which ended on August 31, 2021; a rice-polishing factory sponsored by Shinmei Holdings; and an eco-bag shop sponsored by Toray, which closed on July 15, 2016.
Other former attractions included a Baumkuchen shop sponsored by Juchheim, which closed on October 21, 2017; an embassy pavilion operated by JTB; a mayonnaise factory sponsored by Kewpie, later replaced by the Computer Factory; and a hotel pavilion associated with Hankyu Hanshin Hotels.
Additional former experiences included a Coca-Cola bottling factory, an electronics repair service operated by Midori Denka, now part of EDION, and a construction site sponsored by Obayashi Corporation. These past attractions reflect the wide range of industries that have been represented at the facility over the years.
Kidzania Koshien also features pavilions developed in cooperation with media companies in the Kansai region. FM802, a popular radio station, operates a radio-related pavilion, corresponding to the J-WAVE pavilion at Kidzania Tokyo. Television Osaka also operates a television-related pavilion, with a counterpart at Kidzania Tokyo run by TV Tokyo.
In 2020 and 2021, Television Osaka and Kidzania Koshien held joint promotional campaigns featuring the popular animated series Tomica Kizuna Gattai: Earth Granner and Majikapa. Special voice-acting studios were set up to let children experience the work of dubbing and recording for animated productions. Participants also had the opportunity to enter a prize draw for Takara Tomy merchandise, with prizes offered to 1,000 winners.
Kidzania Koshien offers children an engaging way to discover the world of work through realistic, hands-on activities. Its range of occupational experiences, partnerships with Kansai-based businesses, and collaborations with regional media companies give the facility a distinctive character. For families visiting Nishinomiya, it is an appealing destination where children can explore their interests, develop practical skills, and learn about different careers while enjoying an imaginative day out.