The Nintendo Museum Offers Visitors a Hands-On History of the Gaming Company

Nintendo’s history dates back over a century, beginning in 1889 when the company was merely making hanafuda playing cards. The company’s evolution will be chronicled in the Nintendo Museum, opening in Kyoto this fall.

First announced in 2021, the museum is housed within Nintendo’s Uji Ogura Plant, which was built in 1969 to make trading cards before being used to quality-check consoles. Game Director Shigeru Miyamoto appeared in the company’s recent Nintendo Direct to preview the Nintendo Museum.

The grounds of the plant have been transformed into a Super Mario Bros.-themed plaza, decorated with pipes and floating blocks. Inside, visitors can play consoles throughout the decades, including the NES, SNES, Nintendo 64 and Wii, the latter of which is controlled by two people at a time using a giant remote.

Other interactive exhibits challenge visitors to hit balls in a batting cage and play a shooter title. They can also make their own hanafuda cards and learn how to play with them. After the fun, they can shop in the museum store or eat in its restaurant.

Opening on October 2, Nintendo is hosting a lottery drawing for the chance to purchase tickets to visit the Nintendo Museum. Adult tickets to the museum go for $23 USD ¥3,300 JPY. Upon entry, each visitor receives ten digital coins to play interactive games but won’t be able to buy more should they run out.