KidZania is a Mexican chain of family entertainment centers currently operating in 7 locations.

Every KidZania is themed as a child-sized replica of a real city, including buildings, shops and theaters, as well as vehicles and pedestrians moving along its streets. In this city, children, aged 2 through 14, learn about the adult world, the value ofmoney and work, by experiencing up to 70 different professions.

Kidzania opened in Tokyo’s docklands in 2006. It is a vast indoor town, with fake sky, streets and buildings housing 70 different shops, restaurants and businesses – from pizza parlours and police stations to a petrol station; there’s even part of a 737 for budding cabin crew to patrol – all two-thirds scale and staffed by the thousands of children aged two to 15 who visit each day. The idea is that children will experience the world of work via role play with “Zupervisors” – learning lessons about responsibility, decision -making and team-work.

On entering, they are given a security bracelet so they can’t leave without an alarm going off, and 50 Kidzos – Kidzania currency. This they can deposit in the Kidzania bank, staffed by children and offering 10 per cent interest, to retrieve later using bank cards and ATMs. Or they can spend it on souvenirs, drinks and junk food. They can then earn more – between five and eight Kidzos, depending on the job.

“In Kidzania you will notice it is always dusk,” a spokesman explained to me, “because dusk is when kids have to go home, so it adds an exciting air. Our staff wishes them ‘Good evening’ through the day! … there is no baby-talk here.”

As he tells me this a fire engine blares past on its way to a fake fire. Predictably, fireman is one of the most popular professions in Kidzania, along with cabin crew and police officers. The fully equipped TV studio always has big queues too, as, more perplexingly, does the car-rental office.

I admit I was sceptical when I heard about Kidzania. It sounded like another way for the Japanese to turn out the next generation of worker bees. The first Kidzania, in Mexico City, is apparently more relaxed. But the queues creating waiting times of up to an hour testify to the enthusiasm of Kidzania’s citizens, if nothing else.

“And there is a Kidzania newspaper. Would you like to be a journalist like Daddy?” the spokesman asks my eldest. “Yes,” I say. “What about trying Daddy’s job for a bit, see how tough it really is?” My son pulls a face. “Hmm,” says the spokesman. “I have to say we have found that to be one of the least popular jobs…”