The Nintendo Museum has officially opened its doors in Uji, Japan, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the evolution of one of the world’s most iconic video game companies.
Located near Kyoto, this museum transforms the historic site of the company’s original Hanafuda card factory into a modern, interactive facility dedicated to Nintendo’s rich history.
Spanning multiple floors, the Nintendo Museum showcases a diverse collection of the company’s products, from its early playing cards and toys to its famous gaming consoles and video games.
Visitors can explore how Nintendo grew from a small card-making business into a global entertainment giant.
The first floor displays a variety of the brand’s creations and is designed to educate visitors on the company’s influence in the entertainment industry over the decades.
The ground floor, however, is the centerpiece of this immersive experience. A giant screen allows visitors to play traditional Japanese card games like Hyakunin Isshu, while a series of interactive exhibits offer hands-on experiences with eight different activities. Guests can try recreating moves with their own shadow, hit balls with Ultra Machine, or engage with oversized controllers, making it an engaging space for both newcomers and longtime fans of Nintendo.
To participate in these activities, visitors are provided with digital coins that can only be used inside the museum. Each guest receives 10 coins, with each exhibit requiring a different number of coins to access. This gamified approach adds an extra layer of fun, encouraging visitors to engage fully with the museum’s exhibits.
Most Popular Nintendo Consoles
Nintendo has revolutionized the gaming industry with its innovative consoles, each bringing unique features that defined entire eras of video gaming. Here are some of the most popular Nintendo consoles:
•Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Released in 1985, the NES revitalized the gaming industry after the video game crash of 1983. With its simple design and groundbreaking games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, the NES set the stage for home console gaming.
•Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES): Launched in 1990, the SNES offered improved graphics and sound capabilities, delivering a more immersive gaming experience. Classic titles such as Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country made it a beloved console for both retro and new gamers.
•Nintendo 64: Known for its 3D gaming and innovative controller design, the Nintendo 64, released in 1996, introduced classics like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its four controller ports made it a go-to console for multiplayer games.
•Game Boy: This handheld console, introduced in 1989, revolutionized portable gaming with its compact design and long battery life. Iconic games like Tetris and Pokémon Red and Blue helped the Game Boy become a global success and cemented Nintendo’s dominance in handheld gaming.
•Nintendo DS: With its dual screens and touch capability, the DS offered a new way to play games when it launched in 2004. It became one of the best-selling consoles of all time, thanks to its diverse game library, which included Nintendogs and New Super Mario Bros.
•Nintendo Wii: Released in 2006, the Wii broke new ground with its motion-sensing technology and family-friendly appeal. Titles like Wii Sports and Mario Kart Wii made the console a household favorite, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers.
•Nintendo Switch: The latest addition to the lineup, the Switch, launched in 2017, combines the best of home and portable gaming. Its hybrid design allows users to play on the go or connect to a TV for a traditional console experience. With games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the Switch has become one of Nintendo’s most successful consoles to date.
When Nintendo Museum is open?
The Nintendo Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. It is closed on Tuesdays, except for national holidays when it remains open and instead closes on Wednesday. It is also closed during the New Year holidays from December 30 to January 3. Tickets can be reserved through the official Nintendo website, and access is determined via a lottery system, so it’s recommended to register early.
How much are the tickets?
Ticket prices vary depending on age group: 3,300 yen (approximately 20 euros) for adults over 18, 2,200 yen (13.5 euros) for youth aged 12 to 17, and 1,100 yen (6.7 euros) for children aged 6 to 11. Admission is free for children under 6.
Nintendo spokesperson expressed excitement about the opening, stating, “We’re thrilled to offer fans a space that truly captures the spirit of our legacy and innovation.”
Situated in Uji, known for its high-quality green tea and cultural heritage, the museum adds yet another reason to visit this charming town. After exploring the museum, visitors can enjoy the surrounding area’s attractions, such as the UNESCO-listed Byōdō-in temple and the Ujigami shrine, which is one of Japan’s oldest shrines.
How to get to the Nintendo Museum
Access to the Nintendo Museum is easy. Visitors can reach it via the JR Nara Line or Keihan Uji Station, served by the JR and Keihan lines, respectively, and the journey time from Kyoto is less than an hour.
From Uji Station, travelers should take the Nara Line to Uji Station. The journey takes around 17 minutes. Alternatively, from Demachiyanagi Station in the northern half of Kyoto, a train can be taken which takes around 40 minutes to reach Keihan Uji Station.
To get to the Nintendo Museum, it is a 5-minute walk from the East Exit of Ogura Station (Kintetsu Railway Kyoto Line), an 8-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Ogura Station (JR Nara Line), and a 22-minute walk from the North Exit of Uji Station (JR Nara Line).
With its combination of history, innovation, and interactive experiences, the Nintendo Museum is set to become a must-visit destination for both gaming enthusiasts and travelers exploring the region.
