Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) opened the “Vessel Training Center” at KidZania Fukuoka on Marine Day, July 21, 2025. Elementary and junior high school kids were excited to play-act as navigation officer in uniforms and experience authentic ship maneuvering.

Since its opening in July 2025, NYK's “Vessel Training Center” at KidZania Fukuoka has received enthusiastic reviews. As the first maritime-themed establishment in the three KidZania locations in Japan, the Center invites kids to experience the duties of a navigation officer through a simulator and other tools.

Planned and operated by KCJ Group, KidZania Tokyo (opened in October 2006), KidZania Koshien (opened in March 2009), and KidZania Fukuoka (opened in July 2022) are occupational and social experience facilities, named “establishments,” for children aged 3 to 15. In a townscape scaled to approximately two-thirds the size of a real city, various establishments set up by actual companies offer kids the opportunity to experience real-world jobs and services. The concept is ‘edutainment,’ a combination of ‘education’ and ‘entertainment.’ KidZania attracts visitors as a place where kids can play the leading role, challenge themselves with their favorite jobs, and learn about the structure of society, all while having fun.

At the NYK establishment, children dress in uniforms (jackets and hats) and transform themselves into “navigation officer” and receive training to maneuver an LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier, a large cargo ship. They learn about vessel types and roles, ocean traffic rules, and communication protocols on the bridge, where they steer the vessel, and divide into three-person teams to operate the ship with a simulator.
"From July through August, every shift was consistently full due to summer vacation," says Miwa Ozawa, NYK's Corporate Communication Group. "And it has remained busy even after September, primarily with elementary and junior high school trips. Our uniforms very closely resemble the real thing and truly look fabulous, making our establishment even more attractive to visitors."

NYK joined KidZania Fukuoka because it hopes to “spark interest in the sea and ships.” Ozawa continues:
“Over 99% of Japan's imports by weight are transported by sea, and we believe maritime professions like navigation officers and engineers are vital to the Japanese economy. But there are few opportunities to learn about shipping. Since its founding in 1885, NYK has supported people's lives through maritime transportation. Shipping is not merely about moving goods by sea; it plays a vital role in connecting people worldwide. We hope the experience these children have at this establishment will spark their interest in ships and the sea, inspiring them to dream of someday becoming part of the shipping industry."

Although KidZania establishments target kids from 3 to 15 years of age, as mentioned earlier, the “Vessel Training Center” is recommended for ages 5 and up due to its relative complexity. Up to now, roughly half of the participants have been boys and half girls, with slightly more boys visiting the site. Each session accommodates up to 6 kids and lasts approximately 30 minutes. After finishing the training, they receive an original Navigation Officer License Card and a salary of 10 kidZos. KidZo is the official currency in KidZania for purchasing goods and services.

Two simulators are equipped, and the children are divided into one of three positions: Port, Starboard, or Rudder, each taking on different roles. The Zupervisor, a KidZania staff member, acts as the captain and supports the children.
The ship departs from Moji Port and navigates through the Kanmon Bridge between Kyushu and Honshu islands. During the voyage, various hurdles are set, including dodging a group of fishing boats, navigating through worsening weather, and passing oncoming ships. A special presentation awaits when the ship finally reaches the open sea. A diverse scenario includes communicating with port authorities and other vessels using specialized English terminology. Feedback has been very positive, with children saying, “I got so pumped up!” “The powerful visuals made my heart race. I was so thrilled!” Mariko Ae, also from the Corporate Communication Group, shares her thoughts.

“Each child has a role to perform in the three-person team, and as they get things done in cooperation with each other, they are delighted to discover the importance of teamwork. Our uniforms and navigation instruments are realistic, and the display images are clear, making it easy to immerse in a sensation that is very close to the real-world experience.”

According to Tamon Takemata, a navigation officer and member of the Marine Group who was involved in launching the Vessel Training Center, the company held internal discussions to choose the target operation from among a ship’s diverse functions. They eventually focused on navigation officer ship-handling to introduce and familiarize children with the basics of ships.
"Actual ship handling is quite complex, involving a lot of technical jargon and communication,” Takemata explains. “We wanted to make sure to create an experience that children could easily understand. In line with KidZania's philosophy of ‘providing as realistic an experience as possible,’ the floor material, radar, and nautical charts are modeled after the real thing. The rudder and engine telegraphs are the real stuff. We put a lot of thought and effort into the scenarios and other aspects, identifying effective phrasing for communication and showing what it means to operate a ship through teamwork.

The company hopes to open an establishment in other KidZania locations as opportunities arise and to add programs that allow children to experience the role of an engineer in addition to that of a navigation officer.
Ozawa shared the following message at the conclusion of the interview:
"This is the only establishment in KidZania in Japan to experience a ship simulation, and it's a project that we are deeply proud of, as we've dedicated ourselves to creating the very best we can realize. If you try it, we're confident you'll be pleased with our facility. So, if you're visiting Fukuoka with your children, we hope you'll stop by."

Those aspiring to become seafarers (maritime professionals) can pursue this career path by graduating from a merchant marine school or by utilizing NYK's in-house training program after graduating from a general university. NYK hopes its KidZania establishment will inspire the younger generation to pursue careers as seafarers to forge the future of the shipping industry.