Guide to Visiting Nintendo Museum in
Kyoto, Japan
Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: March 23, 2025
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, formerly the Uji Ogura Plant, showcases Nintendo’s history through its iconic software and game consoles. Since its opening on October 2, 2024, the museum has become a must-visit destination for lifelong fans and nostalgic gamers (myself included!). You will enjoy interactive experiences, including playing classic Nintendo games and engaging with characters from the Super Mario franchise. The museum also features a cafe where you can relax with themed food and drinks, and a gift shop stocked with exclusive Nintendo merchandise. This travel guide covers everything you need to know from purchasing tickets, exploring the museum gallery to playing games.
General Information for Nintendo Museum
Nintendo Museum is open daily from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, except on Tuesdays and during the New Year’s holiday season (Dec 30 – Jan 3) when it remains closed. To visit the museum, you must apply for the ticket drawing. For details on ticket pricing see below:
| Adult (ages 18+) | Youth (ages 12 – 17) | Child (ages 6 – 11) | Preschooler (ages 0 – 5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,300 yen | 2,200 yen | 1,100 yen | Free |
Time Needed: 3 hours
Location: The Nintendo Museum is a 20-minute train ride from Kyoto Station. Use this link to view the location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KyV3KTEbqrEXzsVZA
Reserving Tickets
Reservations must be made through the official ticket drawing three months in advance of your intended visit. For example, if you plan to visit in June 2025, you must apply for a ticket drawing between March 1st – 31st. Results will be sent to the email address* linked to your Nintendo account.
When applying, you can choose up to three preferred date and time slots. If you’re selected, you’ll receive an email with the results and a limited window to purchase your tickets. Be sure to complete your purchase before the deadline—otherwise, you’ll forfeit your chance to secure tickets for that time slot.
*Note: My subject line was “[Nintendo Museum] Your entry to a ticket drawing was selected!”
What to expect at the Nintendo Museum
Entering and Lockers
Our reservation was for 3:00 PM, so we arrived about 10 minutes early and found a small queue already forming. At 2:55 PM, staff began letting visitors in gradually, a few people at a time. Before entering the main exhibit, we were asked to store our large backpacks in coin lockers, which cost 100 yen—so be sure to bring some 100 yen coins with you.
Security Checkpoint
To enter Nintendo Museum, you’ll need to pass through a security checkpoint. At the checkpoint, you’ll be required to show a valid photo ID, such as a passport. Next, you’ll scan your QR code and walk through the metal detector. Afterwards, you’ll be given a play card.
Museum (2nd floor)
Upon entering the museum, we took a few photos of the entrance and surrounding decor.
Once we entered the museum, we waited in line for the escalator to the second floor, a short introductory video played, explaining how to use the Play Cards—each preloaded with 10 coins for the interactive exhibits on the first floor.
The second floor is dedicated to the museum gallery, showcasing Nintendo’s history—from its early days producing playing cards and board games to its evolution into a console gaming giant. Various displays featured classic Nintendo products, accompanied by TV screens playing previews of games from different eras. One highlight was a wall display showing the evolution of a single game series, such as Donkey Kong, across multiple console generations. The only downside to the second floor was that photos and videos were not allowed, which made it hard to capture the moment—but it definitely helped us stay immersed in the experience.
Interactive Experience (1st floor)
The first floor is dedicated to the interactive experience, a hands-on experience to play a variety of Nintendo games. This is where you’ll use your Play Card, which comes preloaded with 10 coins, to try out different games—each costing between 1 to 4 coins.
The first game I tried was the Batting Range, where we used a plastic bat to hit white balls at various objects in the room. The goal was to strike as many items as possible—each one lit up when hit. I managed to hit the toilet a couple of times, while my partner landed hits on the shelf and mirror. It was surprisingly fun and only cost 2 coins.
Next, we played the Love Tester, a game that required my partner and me to hold hands and work together to complete various obstacles. It was a cute and quirky challenge, costing 2 coins per person.
The third game was my personal favorite—the Ultra hand. Using a plastic claw, I tried to grab Pokémon and Voltorb balls, aiming to drop them into a green pipe. I competed against four other players, and the game cost 2 coins.
Lastly, we played the Zapper & Scope, the most popular attraction on the floor. Armed with a plastic gun, we aimed at Super Mario characters on screen. This game had the longest line, cost 4 coins, and involved a larger group of 12 players. Despite the wait, it was a blast and totally worth it.
Gift Shop
At the gift shop, you can purchase official merchandise themed after Nintendo game worlds and characters. Personally, we didn’t purchase anything from the gift shop, instead we went to the Nintendo Store in Kyoto to purchase official merchandise.
Enjoy Your Time in Japan
Japan offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and museums, making it an incredible destination to explore. I hope these tips help you make the most of your Nintendo Museum experience. Feel free to drop a comment and share your thoughts!
If you’re looking for a place to eat before your visit, I highly recommend Coco Ichibanya, located just across the street. They serve quick and delicious curry meals featuring a hearty plate of white rice topped with rich curry sauce. You can customize your dish with a variety of toppings, including oysters, soft-boiled eggs, vegetables, and proteins like chicken, pork, or beef.
For more travel inspiration, check out our related posts on additional must-visit attractions in Japan!
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