In Uji, the scenic Kyoto city best known for its green tea, the world's first Nintendo Museum opened on October 2, 2024, inviting visitors to explore the history of one of gaming's most influential companies.

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Housed in the former Uji Ogura Plant — where Nintendo once produced playing cards and repaired consoles — the museum traces the company's evolution from its humble beginnings to global stardom.

What Is the Nintendo Museum?

The Nintendo Museum in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, is a dedicated space celebrating Nintendo's long history and innovation. Set in the former Uji Ogura Plant, a site significant to Nintendo's early operations, it offers an immersive journey through a vast collection of products and memorabilia — from its origins as a playing-card maker to its place as a global gaming leader.

A Brief History of Nintendo

Nintendo's story began in 1889, when Fusajiro Yamauchi founded the company in Kyoto producing handmade hanafuda playing cards. Over the decades it dabbled in taxis, love hotels, and toy manufacturing before entering electronic gaming in the 1970s.

Its global breakthrough came in the 1980s with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and icons like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. Later innovations — the Game Boy, Nintendo 64, Wii, and Nintendo Switch — continued to shape the industry.

Can You Visit Nintendo HQ in Kyoto?

Nintendo's global headquarters are also in Kyoto, but they're closed to the public without a prior appointment. With the museum's opening in Uji, however, visitors can finally engage deeply with the company's history and products.

What to See and Do at the Nintendo Museum

Highlights include:

Historical Exhibits — displays charting Nintendo's rise from card maker to industry leader.

Interactive Experiences — hands-on installations that bring classic games and toys to life.

Craft & Play Workshops — make your own hanafuda cards and learn traditional games.

Hatena Burger Cafe — custom-ordered burgers and special drinks in a Nintendo-themed setting.

Bonus Stage Museum Shop — exclusive merchandise themed after Nintendo's worlds, some available only here.

Mobile Game Spots — dedicated areas for titles like Pikmin Bloom and Pokemon GO.

How Do I Get into the Nintendo Museum?

Take public transport to Ogura Station: the Kintetsu Kyoto Line (5-minute walk from the East exit) or the JR Nara Line (8-minute walk from the North exit of JR Ogura Station).

There's no parking for cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, so public transport (excluding taxis) is recommended.

Address: 56 Kaguraden, Ogura-cho, Uji-shi, Kyoto 611-0042. Open 13:00–18:00 (closed Tuesdays).

Tickets cannot be bought on-site and must be reserved in advance. Demand is high, so apply early — for now, tickets are allocated by lottery. Prices: Adults ¥3,300; ages 12–17 ¥2,200; ages 6–11 ¥1,100; under 6 free.

Is the Nintendo Museum Worth Visiting?

For anyone curious about Nintendo's history, the museum is a one-of-a-kind experience — a comprehensive collection of products with interactive exhibits that let you play classic games and consoles, leaning hard into nostalgia. The engaging displays make it well worth the trip for fans of Nintendo's legacy.

Tourist Attractions Near the Nintendo Museum

While in Uji, explore these nearby historic and cultural sites:

1. Byodoin Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its Phoenix Hall, an exquisite example of Buddhist Pure Land architecture — and the image on the Japanese 10-yen coin.