If your kids have ever waved a Joy-Con controller, built a Mario Kart track in your living room, or begged for “just one more level,” the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto might be right up their alley.
But is the Nintendo Museum worth visiting with kids? We recently visited with our family to find out.
The Nintendo Museum takes visitors through more than a century of Nintendo history, from the company’s early days making hanafuda playing cards to classic consoles and today’s games. But despite all the displays, this isn’t just a museum where kids walk around and look at old video games. The interactive floor brings the experience to life, with hands-on games parents will find nostalgic, and kids will love.
In this Nintendo Museum Kyoto review, we’ll share our family’s experience, including what our kids enjoyed, how long we spent there, the interactive games, tickets, how to get there and whether we think the Nintendo Museum is worth adding to a family trip to Kyoto.
What Is the Nintendo Museum?
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto is a relatively new attraction dedicated to the history of one of Japan’s most famous companies. It opened in October 2024 on the site of a former Nintendo manufacturing plant in Uji, just outside central Kyoto.
And when we say history, we mean more than just Mario and Nintendo Switch.
The museum takes visitors through Nintendo’s history dating back more than a century, starting with the company’s early days making hanafuda playing cards before moving through its toys, arcade games and home video game consoles.
For Nintendo fans, this means getting a chance to see everything from early Game Boy and Super Nintendo systems to the Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii and more recent consoles. There are also plenty of displays showing some of the products and games that helped turn Nintendo into the global gaming company it is today.
But this isn’t simply a museum where you walk around looking at old consoles behind glass.
One of the biggest draws for families is the interactive floor, where visitors can try a selection of games and experiences inspired by Nintendo’s history. There are giant controllers, interactive games and other activities that make the museum much more engaging for kids than a traditional museum visit.
There’s also a Nintendo Museum shop with exclusive merchandise and a restaurant called Hatena Burger, where you can grab something to eat during your visit.
The museum is located in the Uji area of Kyoto, about 20 minutes from Kyoto Station by train, making it relatively easy to add to a family trip to Kyoto.
For our family, that combination of Nintendo nostalgia, history and hands-on activities was exactly what made the museum worth visiting. The adults got to relive some of our favourite Nintendo memories, while the kids had plenty to discover for themselves.
How to Get to the Nintendo Museum Kyoto?
If you are visiting Japan, the best way to get to the Nintendo Museum Kyoto is by train. From Kyoto Station, you have two options: the Kintetsu Line or the JR Line.
The Kintetsu Kyoto Line leaves from Kyoto Station quite regularly. You will want to take it to Ogura Station, which is about a 20-minute ride from Kyoto Station. Once you get off at Ogura Station, take the east exit and walk about five minutes to the Nintendo Museum.
If you opt for the JR Line, you can use the handy Japan Rail Pass from Kyoto Station. Look for the JR Nara Line and also get off at JR Ogura Station. The walk is a bit further, about eight minutes, but the Nintendo Museum is quite easy to find.
For locals, you can drive, but the Nintendo Museum does not offer any parking, so taking the train is the way to go.
Nintendo Museum Kyoto Tickets and Reservations
Getting tickets to the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto requires a little planning, especially if you have a specific date in mind.
Nintendo currently uses a monthly ticket lottery for upcoming visits. The lottery opens during the month three months before your visit. For example, if you want to visit in December, you enter the lottery during September. The December 2026 drawing is open until September 30, 2026, at 23:59.
You will need a Nintendo Account to enter the drawing and purchase tickets. When entering, you select your preferred date and time and provide the names of the people who will be visiting. Each drawing can only be entered once.
If your entry is selected, you’ll be allowed to purchase tickets for your chosen date. Not being selected in the lottery doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of luck. Some unsuccessful applicants may be placed on a waitlist, and if tickets become available, Nintendo can send a Waitlist Offer. After the initial drawing period, any remaining tickets are also sold based on availability.
Nintendo Museum Kyoto Ticket Prices
The current admission prices are:
- Adults (18+): ¥3,300
- Youth (12–17): ¥2,200
- Children (6–11): ¥1,100
- Preschoolers (0–5): Free
Tickets are for a specific date and entry time, so make sure you leave enough time to get to the museum by train. Once you’re inside, you can explore at your own pace.
One important thing to know for international visitors is that tickets are linked to the names of the people visiting. Nintendo requires visitors to bring identification, and the name on the ticket must match the identification presented at the museum.
You’ll also need your smartphone or tablet to display the ticket’s QR code when entering the museum.
When we visited, getting our tickets was definitely something we wanted sorted out before our Japan trip. The ticket we received also made for a pretty cool keepsake, with the visitor’s name printed on it.
Our tip: If you don’t get your preferred date in the initial lottery, don’t give up. Check the ticketing website for additional availability and keep an eye out for a possible waitlist offer.
To enter the draw, simply navigate to the website to reserve your tickets.
The key to the timed entry window is that you must enter the Nintendo Museum during that time. Once you are in, you can explore at your own pace and stay as long as you want.
To confirm your purchase, the Nintendo Museum will need a mobile number that is in service. It can be a non-Japanese number, but you need to ensure it allows international SMS messages or calls.
When you get your ticket at the Nintendo Museum, it comes as a nice keepsake with your name on it.
What Is Inside the Nintendo Museum Kyoto?
The museum is divided into several themed areas that take you through Nintendo’s evolution, from its beginnings as a playing-card company to the video game giant we know today.
1. The Early Years: From Cards to Toys
The first area takes you all the way back to Nintendo’s origins in the 1800s, when founder Fusajiro Yamauchi began making handmade hanafuda playing cards.
The displays don’t stop with cards. You’ll also find some of Nintendo’s early toys and inventions, including the Ultra Hand and indoor batting machines. It is a fun reminder that Nintendo was experimenting with entertainment products long before Mario, Zelda and the Nintendo Switch existed.
There is also a hanafuda workshop where visitors can make their own set of cards. If you’re interested in doing the workshop, you’ll want to check the current reservation requirements when planning your visit.
2. The Golden Age of Consoles
This is the section for the parents.
We loved walking through the history of Nintendo and seeing so many of the consoles and games we grew up with. The museum displays major Nintendo hardware from the Game Boy and Super Nintendo through the Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii and Switch 2.
We were genuinely excited to see some of our old favourites and play games on the Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64.
Our kids, meanwhile, couldn’t understand how we had ever managed to play games with graphics that looked so grainy.
That was one of our favourite parts of the museum: the adults got the nostalgia while the kids got to see just how much video games have changed.
3. The Interactive Floor
The interactive floor is where the Nintendo Museum really comes alive for families.
Instead of simply looking at Nintendo history, you get to play it. There are rooms filled with interactive experiences, including giant Wii controllers, Super Scope games and a giant claw game where you try to grab Poké Balls.
There is also an indoor batting area, which ended up being our family’s favourite.
Each admission comes with 10 game credits, although some experiences use more than one credit. That means you’ll want to think about which activities you most want to try rather than simply using credits on everything you see.
Being big baseball fans, we especially enjoyed the batting cages. You use a soft foam bat to hit ping-pong balls, with bonus balls awarded for hitting specific targets around the room.
There’s also an augmented-reality matching game in the centre of the interactive floor.
For our kids, this was easily the most exciting part of the museum. And for us, it was a nice change from simply looking at displays.
4. The Museum Shop and Hatena Burger Restaurant
Before you leave, you’ll find the Nintendo Museum shop, which sells exclusive merchandise including T-shirts, stationery, plush toys and collectibles.
If your kids are anything like ours, this is the point where you’ll want to have a conversation about the souvenir budget.
There is also Hatena Burger, the museum’s restaurant. You can choose from a selection of burgers or create your own, along with drinks, snacks and baked goods.
The food is convenient and the burgers are fun, but keep in mind that this is the museum’s main food option. Outside food and drinks aren’t permitted inside the museum, so plan accordingly if you’re visiting with hungry kids.
Here are some of the burgers that the restaurant offers, or you can check out the whole menu here.
For us, the combination of the exhibits, interactive games and shop made the Nintendo Museum feel like much more than a traditional museum visit.
Is It Worth It for Families?
Is the Nintendo Museum Worth It for Families?
In short: yes — especially if your family loves Nintendo or video games.
What we liked most about the Nintendo Museum was how well it balanced the experience for different generations. The adults got to revisit the Nintendo games and consoles we grew up with, while our kids were much more interested in the interactive experiences and discovering some of Nintendo’s older games and inventions.
That balance makes the museum a good choice for families. You don’t have to be a hardcore Nintendo fan to enjoy the visit, but having some love for Mario, Zelda, Pokémon or Nintendo’s consoles definitely makes it more fun.
How Long Do You Need at the Nintendo Museum?
The Nintendo Museum isn’t enormous, and we spent about three hours there. That was enough time for us to see the exhibits, spend time on the interactive floor and browse the gift shop without feeling like we had to rush through everything.
If your kids want to try every interactive game, you could easily spend longer. On the other hand, families with younger children who aren’t particularly interested in video games may find that they are ready to leave sooner.
Is the Nintendo Museum Too Crowded?
The museum is still a popular attraction, and it can get busy.
We visited on a weekday and it was still jam-packed, particularly around some of the more popular interactive experiences. If you’re visiting with younger kids or a stroller, that’s something to keep in mind.
Even with the crowds, we never felt like the museum was impossible to navigate. You just need to expect that you may have to wait for some of the more popular games.
A Nice Break From Kyoto’s Temples
One of the things we really liked about the Nintendo Museum was that it gave us something completely different to do during our time in Kyoto.
Kyoto has no shortage of beautiful temples, shrines and traditional attractions, but after several days of sightseeing, the Nintendo Museum was a fun change of pace for the whole family.
Instead of asking the kids to walk through another temple, we could spend a few hours playing games, looking at Nintendo history and letting everyone enjoy something a little more familiar.
For our family, the Nintendo Museum was absolutely worth adding to our Kyoto itinerary. If your kids love Nintendo, we’d have a hard time imagining them being disappointed with a visit.
Tips for Visiting the Nintendo Museum With Kids
Visiting the Nintendo Museum with kids is pretty straightforward, but a few things are worth knowing before you go.
Arrive Early for Your Time Slot
Your Nintendo Museum ticket gives you a specific entry time, so don’t cut it too close.
We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes before your scheduled entry. The museum is easy to reach by train, but you’ll want to give yourself some extra time in case you’re travelling with a stroller, young children or a group.
Once you’re inside, you can explore at your own pace, so there’s no need to rush through the museum after you’ve entered.
Plan Ahead for Food
One thing families should know is that outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the museum.
Hatena Burger is the main place to eat at the museum, and it’s a convenient option if the kids are hungry. Just be prepared for the possibility of a line around regular meal times.
There are also convenience stores and small restaurants around the nearby station, but remember that you can’t re-enter the museum once you’ve left. If you’re travelling with younger kids, we’d plan your meals and snacks accordingly.
Visit on a Weekday if You Can
If your schedule allows, we’d choose a weekday for your Nintendo Museum visit.
We visited on a weekday and it was still busy, particularly around some of the more popular interactive experiences. The museum is manageable with kids, but having fewer people around makes it easier to move around with a stroller and spend time at the exhibits.
The trains can also be less crowded outside of the busiest commuter periods.
Consider Combining It With Uji
Since the Nintendo Museum is in the Uji area, you can easily combine your visit with some other sightseeing.
Byodo-in Temple is one of the area’s best-known attractions, and Uji is also famous for its matcha. Stopping for matcha ice cream by the river makes for a fun treat after spending a few hours inside the museum.
For families, we liked the idea of pairing the museum with something completely different. After several hours surrounded by Nintendo characters, games and interactive exhibits, a slower walk around Uji is a nice change of pace.
Set a Gift Shop Budget
If you’re visiting with little gamers, set your souvenir budget before you enter the museum shop.
There is plenty of exclusive Nintendo merchandise, including plush toys, clothing, stationery and collectibles. It’s very easy for kids — and parents — to find something they want.
The merchandise isn’t particularly cheap, so we’d recommend deciding what you’re comfortable spending before the kids start pointing out everything they’d like to take home.
And remember, you’ll have to carry those souvenirs back on the train!
Accessibility and Family Facilities
The Nintendo Museum is well set up for families, including those visiting with younger children.
Strollers are permitted throughout the museum, which is helpful because you’ll likely be on your feet for several hours. There are also family restrooms and diaper-changing facilities on each floor, so you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to change a little one during your visit.
There are lockers near the entrance where you can store bags and jackets, which makes it easier to explore the museum without carrying everything around.
We also found the museum staff friendly and helpful. English signage is available, making the museum relatively easy to navigate for international visitors.
For families travelling with young children, these little conveniences make a difference. The Nintendo Museum is designed to be enjoyed by families, rather than feeling like a place where you have to worry about whether your stroller, kids or bags will be a hassle.and the signage includes English translations, making it very manageable for international visitors.
Final Thoughts: Nintendo Museum Kyoto Review
After visiting the Nintendo Museum with our family, we’d definitely recommend adding it to a Kyoto itinerary if your kids. or the adults in your family, love Nintendo.
What we liked most was that it didn’t feel like a museum that was only designed for adults who grew up playing Nintendo. There was plenty of nostalgia for us, but our kids had their own reasons to enjoy the visit, particularly the interactive floor.
The museum also doesn’t take up your entire day. We spent about three hours there, which made it easy to fit into a larger day of sightseeing around Kyoto or Uji.
It can be busy, and you’ll want to plan ahead for tickets, but those are relatively minor drawbacks compared with how much our family enjoyed the experience.
For us, the Nintendo Museum was a fun break from Kyoto’s temples and traditional sightseeing. We got to revisit some of our favourite childhood games, while our kids got to experience Nintendo in a completely different way.
So, is the Nintendo Museum Kyoto worth visiting with kids? For our family, absolutely. If Nintendo is already a big part of your household, we’d put it high on the list for your next family trip to Japan.
Nintendo Museum Kyoto FAQs
Is the Nintendo Museum Kyoto worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you or your kids are Nintendo fans. The museum combines Nintendo history with interactive games and experiences, so it offers something for both adults and children. We spent about three hours there and thought it was well worth adding to our family Kyoto itinerary.
How far in advance can you buy Nintendo Museum tickets?
Nintendo Museum tickets are initially offered through a monthly lottery held three months before the visit. For example, visitors planning to go in December can enter the ticket drawing during September. If you aren’t selected, additional tickets may become available through the waitlist or based on remaining availability.
How long do you need at the Nintendo Museum?
We recommend allowing around three hours for the Nintendo Museum. That gives you enough time to explore the historical exhibits, play some of the interactive games and visit the museum shop. Families who want to spend more time on the interactive floor may want to allow longer.
Is the Nintendo Museum good for young kids?
Yes. The interactive floor makes the Nintendo Museum particularly appealing to families with children. There are hands-on games and experiences, including giant controllers, interactive screens, a Poké Ball claw game and batting activities. Strollers are also permitted throughout the museum, and family restrooms and diaper-changing facilities are available.
How do you get to the Nintendo Museum from Kyoto Station?
The Nintendo Museum is located in Uji, just outside central Kyoto. You can reach it by train from Kyoto Station, with Kintetsu Kyoto Line trains travelling to Ogura Station and JR trains also providing access via JR Ogura Station. From the station, the museum is a short walk away.
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