After successfully being chosen in the ticket lottery, my husband and I found ourselves inside the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, earlier this year. Here are five things we absolutely loved about the experience.

1. A Museum Filled With Nintendo History

The main exhibit area holds the biggest collection of Nintendo memorabilia I’ve ever seen in person. Because photos and video aren’t allowed on the main floor, we ended up slowing down, chatting about each console and game, and really soaking in the details. It was incredible to see so many classic Nintendo pieces in such good condition! (Photos shared above were from areas of the museum where you could take pictures - just imagine what the main floor looked like!)

2. Exploring the Easter-Egg-Packed Outer Grounds

Before you even step inside, the museum grounds — built on the site of the old plant where Nintendo once made trading cards and repaired toys — are full of surprises. Everywhere you look, there’s a clever reference or photo spot, from classic Mario characters to subtle design touches. Staff were super helpful with taking photos at the entrance, and I even found a Poké Lid tucked into the grounds!

3. Taking a Hanafuda Art Class

One of the highlights of our trip was joining an on-site experience to make our own hanafuda, the traditional Japanese playing cards that were Nintendo’s very first product back in 1889. The class was relaxing, hands-on, and fun — and now we have a unique handmade souvenir with real historical roots. Definitely worth checking availability if you visit (the class is an extra cost experience).

4. Playing Interactive Nintendo Games With Digital Coins

When you enter, you’re handed a card preloaded with digital coins that let you jump into a variety of interactive games. You can’t possibly try everything in one visit (which honestly is a great excuse to return), but we had a blast. We joined a multiplayer shooting game with other visitors and then attempted to team up on a giant N64 controller to battle Bowser. We failed miserably, but it was so much fun.

5. The Pure Joy of the Museum’s Atmosphere

The overall vibe of the museum is just fun. Every corner hides a Nintendo Easter egg, from an Animal Crossing balloon drifting overhead to Excitebike revving you up the stairs. You’re welcomed by a crowd of cheerful Toads when you walk in, and the whole place (to me) radiates happiness. It’s the kind of environment that makes you feel like a kid again.

Bonus Mentions

• Exclusive museum merch: The gift shop has items you can only buy there — I proudly left with a shirt I absolutely love.

• A first look at the Nintendo Switch 2: We saw the new console in person before its official release, which was the first time I've ever physically seen a console pre release.

• A sketch from Shigeru Miyamoto: One of the coolest surprises was seeing an original sketch from the father of Mario himself. The staff pointed it out so we wouldn't miss it.

• A charming café area: The small café on-site had character-café–style treats. (The food wasn't anything amazing, but the art in the area was great.)

• Genuinely wonderful staff: Everyone we interacted with was friendly, helpful, and genuinely excited to chat about the museum and our visit.

I had the best time and cannot wait to go back in the future. The museum has already opened a new exhibit sharing lots of historical artwork, so they're clearly working on ways to get you to come back!

#japan #nintendo #nintendomuseum