KidZania Tokyo/Fukuoka: KIDZANIA AWARD PROGRAM 2025 Moonstar 'Shoe Factory' Pavilion - 2 Winners Decided for the 7th Sneaker Design Contest!

Moonstar Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kurume City, Fukuoka / Tokyo Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Shoichi Ida; hereinafter Moonstar) and KCJ GROUP Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Michinari Tsumuraya; hereinafter KCJ GROUP), the planner and operator of 'KidZania,' have determined the two winning entries for the 'KIDZANIA AWARD PROGRAM 2025 / 7th Sneaker Design Contest.'

The theme for this year was 'Power Up' designs for the wearer. Many works were collected, each imbued with a deep message, such as designs with vivid coloring to lift one's mood or those shaped with thoughts of precious family and friends.

From the designs created based on the theme, two works were selected: the 'KidZania Award' and the 'Moonstar Award.' These two winning works were crafted into real shoes and delivered to the winners.

The two winning works are published on the official KidZania website.
URL: https://www.kidzania.jp/grand/18085

◆ Introduction of Winning Works

・ KidZania Award (Winner: Ema-sama)
Winner's Comment: Based on the 'Power Up' theme, I designed sneakers that make you run faster. The image of speed was lightning and the flames of friction after running, so I used those in the colors of the shoes. The check pattern represents the goal tape. I was very shy to present my work at the shoe factory, but it was a great experience to learn the fun of designing my thoughts. I was surprised my work was chosen for the award. I'm really happy they made it into a real thing. I will do my best to run even faster wearing these sneakers. Thank you!
KidZania's Comment: It's a design packed with lightning-like speed and flame-like passion. Especially the accent on the belt part conveys a surge of power. We look forward to seeing Ema dashing all the way to the goal tape with these shoes!

・ Moonstar Award (Winner: AKO-sama)
Winner's Comment: I was surprised when my mother told me I was chosen! I used a lot of green, which is my favorite color and also my friend's favorite color, with the image of powering up friendship. I want to become even better friends with my friends wearing these shoes.
Moonstar's Comment: It's wonderful to express the theme 'Power' from the perspective of friendship with such flexible thinking. We felt the care put into the combination of color shades, conveying AKO's kindness and creative sensitivity. We would be happy if you could make many memories with your friends wearing these shoes.

◆ Each pair handmade by craftsmen
The original sneakers were handmade one by one by craftsmen at the Moonstar factory in Kurume City, Fukuoka. The assembled shoes were placed in a large kiln called a vulcanizer, where they were subjected to heat and pressure for a certain period—a method known as the Vulcanized process (vulcanization method). The raw rubber and the sulfur mixed into it undergo a chemical reaction due to the heat, resulting in shoes with excellent flexibility and durability. Shoes produced by this method feature flexible and soft soles, are durable and hard to break, and can maintain a beautiful silhouette.
By creating shoes using the techniques Moonstar has cultivated over 150 years, we hope children will rediscover the joy of manufacturing and deepen their interest in feet and shoes.

◆ 'Sneaker Design Contest' born from children's voices
The 'Sneaker Design Contest' was born from the voices of children who had experienced the occupation of 'Shoe Designer' at the 'Shoe Factory' pavilion in KidZania Tokyo and KidZania Fukuoka, where Moonstar is an official sponsor. In the 'Shoe Factory' pavilion, as 'Shoe Designers,' children learn that shoes are made of many parts and understand their structure. Then, using tablets, they add colors and patterns to each part to create their own design. By taking home and assembling the completed design sheet, they can create a three-dimensional paper craft of the shoe. This contest was born from the children's voices: 'I would be happy if the design I thought of became a real sneaker.' The first contest was held in 2019 and was well-received by many participants as well as winners, leading to this 7th holding.