About
Nintendo Museum entrance at the former Uji Ogura Plant. Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Nintendo Museum (ใใณใใณใใผใใฅใผใธใขใ ) is the world's first museum dedicated to Nintendo's 135+ year history, housed in the former Nintendo Uji Ogura Plant where the company historically manufactured Hanafuda playing cards and repaired consoles. ๐ Opened on October 2, 2024, the museum offers a comprehensive journey through Nintendo's evolution from a playing card manufacturer in 1889 to a global video game leader, featuring both historical galleries and interactive exhibits. Located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, the museum sits 60-90 minutes from Osaka via JR train lines. ๐
The museum is dedicated to showcasing Nintendo's extensive history with historical product galleries featuring Hanafuda cards, 1960s-70s toys, Game & Watch devices, and early consoles, plus extensive console collections spanning Nintendo's gaming history and over 80 classic games playable on original hardware. ๐ Exclusive merchandise and a themed cafรฉ experience complete the visit, with interactive Hanafuda card-making workshops offering hands-on cultural engagement.
Cultural & Historical Significance
Corporate Heritage Site
The museum's location holds deep significance as the former Uji Ogura Plant where Nintendo manufactured its foundational products. The choice to preserve and transform this industrial facility into a museum demonstrates Nintendo's commitment to honoring its heritage while celebrating its transformation from a traditional Japanese craft business into a global entertainment company. The building itself embodies over a century of Japanese manufacturing history and the company's evolution through multiple eras of technological and cultural change.
Hanafuda Cultural Context
Nintendo's origins as a Hanafuda (flower card) manufacturer in 1889 connects the museum to centuries-old Japanese gaming traditions. Hanafuda cards represent one of Japan's oldest card game traditions, developed during the Edo period when Western playing cards were banned. ๐ The museum's emphasis on Hanafudaโincluding historical displays, playable games, and card-making workshopsโpreserves this cultural heritage while demonstrating how traditional Japanese craftsmanship laid the foundation for Nintendo's future innovation in electronic gaming.
Gaming History Documentation
The museum serves as a comprehensive archive documenting the evolution of video gaming through Nintendo's lens. From the revolutionary Game & Watch handheld devices that pioneered portable gaming to the Famicom/NES that revitalized the North American video game industry after the 1983 crash, the exhibits chronicle pivotal moments in gaming history. The ability to play over 80 classic games on original hardware offers visitors authentic experiences of gaming's technological evolutionโsomething increasingly rare as original hardware becomes obsolete.
Visiting Information
CRITICAL: Lottery Booking System ๐
All tickets MUST be purchased in advance through the official lottery system. Tickets are NOT sold at the museum entrance. The lottery operates on a 3-month advance booking timeline:
- Application Period: 3 months before visit date
- Application Deadline: 2 months before visit date
- For November 4-7, 2025 Visit: Apply throughout August 2025
- Lottery Draw: September 1, 2025
- Results Notification: September 1, 2025 (around 5:00 PM via email) ๐
- Payment Deadline: September 7, 2025 (tickets lapse if payment not completed)
Requirements:
- Free Nintendo Account (international visitors can create account)
- Passport required at entry for non-Japanese nationals
- Booking website: museum-tickets.nintendo.com ๐
Backup Strategy: From mid-month (around 11th-15th), cancelled tickets become available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the ticketing website regularly for released tickets, though competition remains fierce. ๐
Operating Hours & Time Slots ๐
- Hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Entry Windows: 30-minute arrival windows (e.g., 10:00-10:30)
- Important: Time slot indicates arrival window, not total visit duration
- Once Inside: Visitors can stay as long as desired within operating hours
- Closed: Tuesdays (or Wednesday if Tuesday is national holiday) and December 30 - January 3
Transportation (CRITICAL REQUIREMENT) ๐
Visitors MUST use public transportation (excluding taxis) to reach the museum. Do NOT travel by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or taxi. No parking available.
Recommended Route from Osaka (JR Pass Compatible):
- Osaka Station โ Kyoto Station (JR Tokaido-Sanyo Main Line Special Rapid, ~30 min, ยฅ580)
- Kyoto Station โ JR Ogura Station (JR Nara Line, ~25 min, ยฅ310)
- JR Ogura Station โ Museum (8-minute walk from North Exit)
- Total Journey: 60-90 minutes, ~ยฅ890 one-way (covered by JR Pass) ๐
Alternative Route (Kintetsu Railway, Closest Station):
- Osaka โ Kyoto Station
- Kyoto Station โ Kintetsu Ogura Station (Kintetsu Kyoto Line, ~20 min, ยฅ360)
- Kintetsu Ogura Station โ Museum (5-minute walk from East Exit) ๐
Local Bus Option: Bus service connects Keihan Uji Station, JR Uji Station, Nintendo Museum, and Kintetsu Ogura Station. Fares: ยฅ230 adults, ยฅ120 children. ๐
The Museum Experience
Typical Visit Duration: 2-4 hours minimum ๐
- Casual visitors: 2-3 hours
- Dedicated fans reading all descriptions and trying interactive exhibits: 4+ hours
- Plan extra time for cafรฉ and merchandise shopping
Museum Layout ๐
Exhibition Building 1:
- 1st Floor: Historical galleries with Hanafuda cards, early toys, Game & Watch devices
- 2nd Floor: Prototype and development sections (PHOTOGRAPHY PROHIBITED)
Exhibition Building 2:
- Console history and gaming evolution
- Interactive gaming stations with 80+ classic titles on original hardware
Exhibition Building 3:
- 1st Floor: Hatena Burger cafรฉ (130 seats)
- 2nd Floor: Hanafuda workshop area and additional interactive exhibits
- Bonus Stage merchandise shop
Interactive Experiences
The museum distinguishes itself from traditional museums through extensive hands-on gaming opportunities. Over 80 classic Nintendo games are playable on original hardware, offering authentic experiences of gaming's technological evolution across multiple console generations. The gaming stations allow visitors to directly engage with Nintendo's history rather than simply observing it, creating memorable personal connections with the company's legacy.
Workshop Experiences (Same-Day Reservation Required)
"Let's Make Hanafuda!" Workshop ๐
- Duration: 60 minutes (including cleanup)
- Cost: ยฅ2,000 per person
- Experience: Create your own Hanafuda cards using special kit; select favorite month pattern from 12 options, color, fold, and assemble 4 cards
- Takeaway: Keep the cards you make
- Reservation: Same-day only, any available time slot
"Try Playing Hanafuda!" Workshop
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Cost: ยฅ500 per person
- Experience: Learn to play Hanafuda with image recognition and projection technology
- Reservation: Same-day only, must begin within 3 hours of entry time
Workshop Reservation Details: ๐
- Make reservations at information counter (1st floor, Building 1) or workshop desk (2nd floor, Building 3)
- First-come, first-served basis
- Highly recommended: Reserve immediately upon arrival
- Deadline: No reservations after 4:30 PM
- Limit: One workshop per visitor per visit
Dining - Hatena Burger Cafรฉ ๐
Located in Exhibition Building 3, 1st Floor. Museum ticket holders only, no reservations accepted, ~130 seats.
Menu Highlights:
- Custom Burgers: Over 270,000 possible combinations, build your own with preferred ingredients (available only as combo with Coro-Coro fries or coleslaw + drink) ๐
- Specialty Burgers: 100% beef patty with wasabi garlic soy sauce; sliced beef with over-easy egg, fried tofu, Kyoto green onions, sukiyaki sauce
- Kids Combo: ยฅ950 (smaller burger, fries, drink)
- Desserts: Sweet bread with chocolate custard/matcha cream/raspberry jam; cloud-shaped soft serve ice cream; yogurt with peach jelly and berries topped with cheese sauce; green tea float with warabi mochi
Timing Strategy: Expect busiest period 12:00-3:00 PM; visit outside these hours for shorter wait.
Merchandise - Bonus Stage Shop ๐
Located inside museum (ticket holders only). Features museum-exclusive merchandise not available elsewhere:
- Giant controller plushies (~ยฅ12,000, limit 1 per customer) ๐
- Controller-shaped pillows
- Hanafuda design homeware (towels with Nintendo characters)
- Console-themed apparel (t-shirts, accessories)
- Stationery (notebooks, pens)
- Soy sauce plates, mystery boxes
Practical Visiting Tips
Day-of-Visit Strategy ๐
- Arrive During Entry Window: Punctual arrival within your 30-minute window ensures smooth entry
- Immediate Workshop Reservation: Reserve Hanafuda workshop at information counter upon arrival (first-come, first-served)
- Explore Historical Exhibits: Start with 1st floor galleries while energy is high
- Interactive Gaming: Engage with classic games on original hardware
- Attend Workshop: Participate in reserved Hanafuda experience
- Strategic Lunch: Visit Hatena Burger before/after noon rush (avoid 12:00-3:00 PM)
- Shopping: Browse Bonus Stage merchandise shop with ample time
- Final Gaming: Last gaming session before departure
Best Visiting Times:
- Optimal: Weekday mornings right after 10:00 AM opening
- Avoid: Weekends and 12:00-3:00 PM (busiest periods)
- November Advantage: Late autumn is off-peak season with fewer crowds ๐
What to Bring
REQUIRED for International Visitors:
- Passport (only accepted ID for non-Japanese nationals) ๐
Permitted:
- Drinks in sealed plastic bottles or insulated containers (subject to inspection)
- Baby food, children's snacks
- Food for visitors with allergies or dietary restrictions
NOT Permitted:
- Regular food items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Dangerous objects or ignition sources
- Cosplay costumes
Photography Rules ๐
Photography ALLOWED:
- Most of 1st floor exhibits in Building 1
- Selected exhibits in Building 2
- General museum areas
Photography PROHIBITED:
- All exhibits on 2nd floor of Building 1 (prototype section)
- Certain exhibits on 1st floor (marked)
- Live streaming PROHIBITED everywhere in museum
Equipment Restrictions:
- Large photography equipment (tripods) NOT permitted
- Be considerate of other visitors when taking photos
Visitor Conduct
Prohibited activities include: unauthorized photo shoots, gatherings, speeches, events; unauthorized commercial activities, displays, handouts; live streaming from anywhere on premises.
Accessibility ๐
- Wheelchair accessible throughout with elevators
- Four accessible toilets
- Emergency wheelchairs available at information counter
- Reserved parking available for visitors with accessibility needs (details sent via email)
- Ogura Station underground passageway has only stairs; wheelchair/stroller users should use alternative routes
- Some interactive exhibits may not be accessible to wheelchair users; contact museum staff for accommodations
Accessibility Pricing:
- Adult and child tickets with accessibility needs sold at child ticket price
- One companion also receives child price ticket
- Must present certification of accessibility need or Mirairo ID
Language Support ๐
- Official website available in full English
- Exhibits primarily visual with minimal text descriptions (excellent language accessibility)
- Staff provide basic English communication
- Ticketing system offers English interface
Differences from Super Nintendo World
Many visitors wonder about the difference between Nintendo Museum and Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan:
| Feature | Nintendo Museum | Super Nintendo World (USJ) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Historical, educational, nostalgic | Entertainment, immersive, high-energy |
| Content | 135 years of Nintendo history | Mario and Donkey Kong game worlds |
| Experience | View artifacts, play classic games | Theme park rides and attractions |
| Target Audience | History enthusiasts, Nintendo fans | Thrill-seekers, families |
| Location | Uji, Kyoto (standalone museum) | Universal Studios, Osaka (theme park) |
| Duration | 2-4 hours | Half day or full day |
| Atmosphere | Calm, museum setting | Active, theme park environment |
Both attractions complement each other and offer completely different Nintendo experiences. ๐
Integration with Osaka Visit
November 4-7, 2025 Considerations:
Timeline for Booking:
- Apply for lottery: Throughout August 2025
- Lottery results: September 1, 2025 (5:00 PM via email)
- Payment deadline: September 7, 2025
- Visit dates: Any day November 4-7, 2025
Weekday Advantage: All four visit dates (November 4-7) fall on weekdays, offering better lottery odds and quieter on-site experiences compared to weekends. Tuesday (November 5) or Wednesday (November 6) would provide the most relaxed museum atmosphere.
Day Trip Logistics: The 60-90 minute journey from Osaka makes the Nintendo Museum an excellent half-day or full-day excursion. Combine with other Uji attractions (famous for matcha green tea production, historic temples, traditional tea houses, scenic riverside area) to create a full day of cultural exploration. ๐
Alternative if Tickets Unavailable:
If lottery unsuccessful or tickets unavailable, consider:
- Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan - Different experience focused on theme park entertainment vs. museum history ๐
- Official Nintendo Store locations in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka offer exclusive merchandise and some gaming experiences
- Uji Area Attractions - Famous matcha tea sites, historic temples, and traditional experiences
- Pokรฉmon Center stores (various locations) or retro gaming shops in Den Den Town, Osaka
Combining with Other Day Trips:
The Nintendo Museum's Uji location sits between Osaka and Kyoto, making it possible to combine with:
- Morning in Kyoto (30 minutes from Uji), afternoon at Nintendo Museum
- Nintendo Museum morning, afternoon in Nara (45 minutes from Uji)
- Full day Uji exploration (museum + matcha tea experiences + temples)
Key Reminders:
- Mark Calendar: Apply for lottery during August 2025
- Create Nintendo Account: Set up account before lottery period opens
- Check Email: Results arrive September 1, 2025
- Payment Deadline: Complete payment by September 7, 2025 or ticket lapses
- No Car/Taxi: Must use public transportation (trains/buses only)
- Bring Passport: Required ID for international visitors
- Book Workshops Early: Same-day reservation, first-come first-served
Location: View on Google Maps
Source: attractions/osaka/nintendo-museum.md