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Nintendo Museum Kyoto – Inside the Home of Gaming History
If you grew up with Mario, Zelda, or Pokémon, the Nintendo Museum in Uji, Kyoto, is a must-visit. It’s a nostalgic deep dive into the brand’s history — from humble playing cards to iconic consoles — and it’s finally open to the public.
Booking Your Visit
Entry is by lottery system, so you’ll need to plan.
- You can apply up to 3 months in advance using your Nintendo Account.
- I booked mine 2 months before arriving in Kyoto, and received an email confirmation once my application was successful.
- After that, you’ll get a QR code for your entry ticket.
Location: From Cartridges to Culture
The museum is located at Nintendo Uji Ogura Plant, a site that once produced playing cards and game cartridges. Now it’s been transformed into a sleek, modern exhibition space — but the industrial bones still peek through, a quiet nod to Nintendo’s roots.
For fans, it’s surreal to walk through the same grounds where part of gaming history was literally manufactured.
What to Expect Inside
On entry, visitors receive a “Play Ticket” — a gamer’s card preloaded with digital credits to spend on interactive exhibits.
Each credit lets you try different mini-games and challenges that highlight Nintendo’s innovations over the decades — from Game & Watch–inspired activities to giant controller battles. You won’t have enough credits for everything, so choose your favourites wisely!
The exhibitions cover:
- Early hanafuda (Japanese playing cards)
- Vintage consoles and handhelds
- Behind-the-scenes development stories
- Play zones and interactive areas for all ages
Exclusive Merchandise
Don’t leave without visiting the Nintendo Museum Store. It’s packed with exclusive merch you won’t find anywhere else — even in the official Nintendo stores.
Expect:
- Limited edition controller plushies
- Special hanafuda card sets
- Retro-style accessories and pins
- Branded stationery and collectibles
Note: some items have purchase limits per person, so if you spot something you love, grab it before it’s gone!
Tips for Visiting
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early for your time slot to avoid queues.
- Bring your Nintendo Account login handy, just in case.
- Plan your games before entering so you can spend your credits on your must-try experiences.
- Visit the shop either first or last – exclusive items tend to sell out quickly.
Final Thoughts
The Nintendo Museum isn’t just for gamers — it’s a celebration of creativity, design, and storytelling that shaped modern entertainment. For anyone visiting Kyoto, this is one cultural stop that’s worth planning months ahead for.
Whether you’re reliving your childhood or discovering where it all began, the Uji location is pure joy in pixel form.
Useful links:
Museum location Address: Kaguraden-56 Oguracho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0042, Japan
The official process and dates are detailed on the Nintendo Museum website.
