Nintendo Museum in Uji: What Visitors Can Do

A friendly walk through the Nintendo Museum in Uji, from hanafuda cards to the Switch, with ticket and access basics.

Published October 26, 2026 at 11:12 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The Nintendo Museum sits in Uji, just south of Kyoto, inside the company's former Ogura plant. Visitors browse products from hanafuda playing cards to modern consoles, play hands-on exhibits, and can join a hanafuda card workshop. Tickets are sold in advance for a set date and time, usually through a lottery, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

The Nintendo Museum has become one of the most talked-about stops in the Kyoto area, and many travelers ask the same practical questions before they go. What is actually inside, how does the ticket system work, and is it worth the short train ride out of central Kyoto? This guide explains the building and its story, the exhibits and the card workshop, the cafe and shop, and the simplest ways to get there. It also covers how to plan around the lottery so the visit feels relaxed rather than rushed.

Where the Museum Is and Why It Is in Uji

The museum stands in Ogura, a district of Uji City in southern Kyoto Prefecture, roughly 20 minutes by train from Kyoto Station. Uji is better known for its green tea and for Byodoin, the temple pictured on the 10 yen coin, so a Nintendo stop adds an unusual second theme to a day trip. The museum is not a brand new building on empty land. It occupies the site of the old Nintendo Ogura plant, where the company once made playing cards and later handled the repair of toys and consoles.

That setting gives the visit a sense of continuity. Nintendo began in Kyoto in 1889 as a maker of hanafuda, the small flower-picture cards used for traditional games, and the company still has deep local roots. Seeing the old factory grounds turned into a public museum lets visitors connect the playing cards of the past with the characters they know today. The museum opened in autumn 2024, so it is still a fairly new attraction.

What You Will See Inside

The core of the museum is a gallery of Nintendo products shown side by side, starting with hanafuda and continuing through the toys, handheld games and home consoles that followed. Seeing them in sequence makes the changes in design easy to follow, from simple cards to electronic devices with screens. A timeline also tells the story of the Ogura plant itself, from earlier decades up to the museum's opening.

Several areas are made to be touched rather than only looked at. Classic toys and games from the company's history have been rebuilt with modern technology, and oversized controllers invite two people to play together. Families often find this the most enjoyable part, because the exhibits suit all ages and require no gaming skill. Admission includes a small set of digital coins that can be used on some of the interactive stations, so it helps to choose a few favorites rather than trying everything.

The Hanafuda Workshop

The museum offers a separate workshop, called Make and Play, where visitors can make their own hanafuda cards and learn how to play with them. It requires a same-day reservation and an extra fee, so it is not part of the standard ticket. Because places are limited, it is wise to book it first thing on arrival or follow the instructions given with your ticket.

For many visitors the workshop is a highlight because it links the museum to the oldest part of the Nintendo story. Hanafuda decks have twelve suits, one for each month of the year, and each suit is shown with a seasonal plant such as pine, plum, cherry or maple. Making a set by hand is a quiet, creative contrast to the game screens elsewhere in the building. There is also a short group activity that teaches a simple hanafuda game, which is a friendly way to try the cards even if you have never played.

Cafe, Shop and Photo Spots

The cafe serves special drinks and hamburgers that can be ordered with ingredients you choose yourself, which fits the museum's playful tone. The shop sells official merchandise, including items that are available only at the museum. Both the cafe and the shop are open only to people holding a museum ticket for that day, so they are best treated as part of the visit rather than a separate stop.

The grounds also include spots linked to mobile games, with a Pikmin Bloom special spot and a Pokemon GO PokeSpot on the premises. Photography rules can vary by exhibit, so follow the signs inside. The official site also notes that website photos may differ from the real exhibits, so it is best to arrive with an open mind rather than a fixed checklist.

How Tickets and the Lottery Work

Tickets are sold in advance and give entry for a specific date and time. A free Nintendo Account is needed to reserve, and the reservation must be in the name of each person who visits, with identification checked on the day. Most dates are sold through a random drawing, and if you are selected you must complete payment, which is by credit card only. Entries are normally accepted in the month before the draw for a later month, so planning two or three months ahead is sensible.

Prices depend on age and sit in a range of roughly 1,000 to 3,500 yen, with the lowest price for primary school children and small children entering free at the youngest ages. Ticket rules and prices can change, so confirm everything on the official site before you travel. The museum warns visitors to beware of resale sites, and resale of tickets is not allowed, so use only the official ticketing page.

Getting There from Kyoto and Osaka

The easiest route is by train. From Kyoto Station, the JR Nara Line reaches JR Ogura Station in about 20 to 25 minutes, and the museum is roughly an 8 minute walk from the north exit. The Kintetsu Kyoto Line also stops at Ogura Station, about a 5 minute walk from the east exit. Visitors from Osaka usually change at Kyoto, and visitors from Nara can ride the JR Nara Line in the other direction.

The museum asks guests to use public transport and not to arrive by car, motorcycle or bicycle, as parking is not available. This also makes it easy to pair the museum with central Uji, which is a longer walk or a short ride away. Allow at least half a day, and more if you book the workshop or want to eat at the cafe.

Planning Tips for a Smooth Visit

Check the closing days before you book, because the museum is closed on Tuesdays, with the closure moving to Wednesday when Tuesday is a national holiday. It is also closed for a break around the New Year. Arrive a little before your entry time and carry your identification and the digital ticket on your phone.

Wear comfortable shoes, since you will be standing and moving between interactive stations. Children enjoy the hands-on areas, but very young visitors may tire in the crowds, so keep the plan flexible. If you miss the lottery, the ticketing page may show returned tickets, so it is worth checking again as your travel dates approach.

Pairing the Museum with Uji and Kyoto

Uji works well as a half-day extension of a Kyoto trip. The riverside town is known for matcha sweets and tea shops, and Byodoin's Phoenix Hall is a short trip away. Starting at the museum and ending with a green tea dessert makes a pleasant contrast between a modern play space and a quiet traditional town.

Fans of Nintendo's story can also read about the company's early years in Kyoto and its famous hanafuda roots before visiting. Knowing that a card maker grew into a global games company makes the early exhibits more meaningful. Whatever your plan, this museum rewards curiosity more than speed, so let the exhibits set the pace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a reservation for the Nintendo Museum?

Yes. Tickets are sold in advance for a specific date and time, and most dates are allocated by a random drawing. You need a free Nintendo Account, payment is by credit card, and the reservation is in the name of each visitor. Check the official ticketing page for the current schedule, because the system can change.

How long should you plan for the Nintendo Museum?

Plan on at least half a day. The main gallery and interactive exhibits take a good part of that time, and the hanafuda workshop, the cafe and the shop add more. A relaxed visit that includes a stroll in Uji usually fills a morning or afternoon comfortably.

How do you get to the Nintendo Museum from Kyoto Station?

Take the JR Nara Line to JR Ogura Station, which takes about 20 to 25 minutes, then walk roughly 8 minutes from the north exit. The Kintetsu Kyoto Line also serves Ogura Station, with a walk of about 5 minutes from the east exit. The museum asks visitors to travel by public transport.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Nintendo and Kyoto: From Playing Cards to Video Games, Nintendo and Japan's Gaming History and Game Centers in Japan: A Guide to Arcade Culture.