Nintendo Museum Opens In Kyoto

The Nintendo Museum has officially opened its doors in Uji City, Kyoto, on October 2. Located in a renovated old factory complex, the interactive space is a dream come true for Nintendo enthusiasts.

The museum serves as a celebration of Nintendo’s evolution, showcasing a wide array of gaming consoles—from the iconic 1983 Famicom to the 2017 Switch—alongside beloved games that have defined generations, reports The Guardian (TG).

Visitors can also discover artifacts from Nintendo’s early days, including toys and playing cards, highlighting its origins as a hanafuda playing card manufacturer established in 1889, notes TG.

The downstairs area features interactive displays, including oversized controllers and floor-projected games that engage visitors in playful experiences, said TG.

Each guest receives virtual coins to explore interactive exhibits, while a hanafuda workshop allows attendees to craft their own Japanese playing cards, all situated above a cafe offering custom burgers, reports TG.

As reported by The Verge, the buzz around the Nintendo Museum extends beyond its exhibits to the exclusive merchandise available in the gift shop.

To manage demand, the museum announced on X that several items, including miniature controller keychain collections and neck straps, will be limited to one per customer.

This policy comes after some items, like a giant plush Wii Remote listed at $474 and a complete set of controller cushions for $1,399, appeared on resale sites like eBay with significant markups, as reported by The Verge.

The museum is situated on the former site of Nintendo’s manufacturing plant, which produced toys and playing cards until transitioning to a service center for console repairs until 2016, notes TG.

With a daily capacity of 2,000 visitors, tickets for the museum are in high demand and must be purchased in advance, as they are not available at the entrance. Visitors must register for a lottery on the museum’s website at least three months in advance, as reported by CNN.

This allows travelers to enter for visits starting no earlier than January, selecting up to three preferred dates and times. Winners will be notified two months before their visit, and tickets must be purchased immediately.

TG notes that the Nintendo museum adds to the growing trend of video game tourism in Japan, complementing attractions like Akihabara’s electronics shops and the Super Nintendo World theme park in Osaka.

As Japan looks to enhance its cultural exports, this museum stands as a tribute to Nintendo’s enduring impact on the gaming world.