Nintendo Museum in Kyoto: Tickets, Exhibits, and Full Guide

The Nintendo Museum opened in October 2024 in Uji City, just south of Kyoto, inside the renovated building that once housed Nintendo's original playing card manufacturing facility. The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto is not a conventional video game museum — it is a meticulously designed space celebrating 130 years of Nintendo history, from traditional hanafuda cards through every major gaming platform the company has produced. For gaming fans visiting Japan, it is one of the most thoughtfully realized attraction spaces in the country.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets cost 3,300 yen for adults and 1,100 yen for children (6-17). Under-6 enters free with an accompanying adult. Entry is timed and must be booked in advance via the Nintendo Museum official website. The monthly lottery opens on the 20th of the month for entry the following month. International visitors can book on the same system using a Nintendo Account — create one in advance if you don't have one.

All visitors receive 10 game coins at entry, redeemable at interactive game stations inside the museum. Additional coins can be purchased for 100 yen each. Slots are limited to 2,500 visitors per day, ensuring the museum never feels overwhelming.

What's Inside the Museum

The main floor features giant scale reproductions of every major Nintendo hardware device, from the original Family Computer (Famicom) to the Nintendo Switch. Multi-player interactive stations let you play classic games on massive screens with the original controllers — a two-player Game & Watch session, giant Famicom controllers for Super Mario Bros, and a life-size Game Boy experience. The historical timeline section documents Nintendo's evolution from toy manufacturer to global entertainment company.

Must-See Exhibits and Experiences

• Giant Famicom and Super Mario Bros interactive station
• Hanafuda and playing card history section — Nintendo's pre-video-game origins
• Game & Watch collection display — all 59 original handheld models
• Life-size original Game Boy frame playable station
• Hardware evolution timeline from Ultra Machine (1967) to Switch
• Museum-exclusive merchandise including playing cards and branded goods
• Kirby Cafe inside the museum building — reservation recommended

Getting There from Kyoto

The Nintendo Museum is located in Uji City, about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station by train. Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Ogura Station (about 15 minutes, 230 yen), then walk 10 minutes south. Alternatively, take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kintetsu Kyoto Station to Kintetsu Kozu Station (20 minutes), then walk about 12 minutes.

The museum is open 10 AM to 6 PM (last entry 5 PM) and closed on Tuesdays. Plan about 2-3 hours inside. Combine with a visit to Uji's famous Byodo-in temple (10 yen coin fame) and a bowl of authentic Uji matcha, which is considered the finest in Japan. The Kirby Cafe on the premises requires a separate reservation made via the official Kirby Cafe website.