Our Nintendo Museum Adventure: How to Get Tickets & What to Expect
If you’re anything like us, Nintendo has been a huge part of your life—from battling in Pokémon to jumping on Goombas in Mario. So when we heard about the Nintendo Museum opening in Kyoto, we knew we had to go! But here’s the catch—it’s not as simple as showing up at the door. Getting in requires strategy, patience, and maybe even a little luck.
Let’s walk you through our experience, how we secured our tickets, and everything we think you need to know before stepping into this pixel-perfect paradise.
Planning Your Visit: When to Go?
Timing is everything! Since we were visiting the museum during sakura season in April, we knew tickets would vanish faster than grabbing a Super Star in Mario and sprinting through a level.
Our Tips:
Enter the lottery about three months in advance (for us, that meant January for an April visit). Yes, three months. The museum is really full all the time, from kids to adults, everyone wants a piece of this place.
Aim for weekday afternoons—mornings and weekends are in high demand. We chose a week day and also the entry time in the afternoon and it helped a lot!
Be flexible with time slots—your third-choice might be the one you get (it happened to us!). Make sure you are prepared to accept any of the slots you filled in.
How to Get there?
One of the most convenient ways to get there is by taking the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Ogura Station. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and costs around ¥360.
Once you arrive at Ogura Station, it’s about a 15–20 minute walk to the Nintendo Museum. The walk is nice and takes you through a quiet residential area, giving you a small taste of local life in Uji. Keep an eye out for signboards that help guide visitors to the museum.
If you're planning to explore more of the Kansai region—including Osaka, Nara, Kobe, or Himeji—it may be worth getting a Kansai Area Pass, which allows unlimited rides on JR trains (excluding Shinkansen) in the area. While the Kintetsu line is not a JR line, the pass can still help save on other parts of your trip.
Alternatively, you can consider the:
ICOCA Card – A prepaid IC card that can be used across JR, Kintetsu, and other private lines, as well as buses and even convenience stores. It doesn’t give you a discount, but it's extremely convenient.
Kintetsu Rail Pass – If you're planning to travel more extensively on the Kintetsu network (such as from Kyoto to Nara or Ise), this pass could save you both time and money.
Taxi Option
If you're traveling with family or simply prefer a car option, taking a taxi from Kyoto Station to the museum might be a convenient option. The journey takes around 30–35 minutes and costs roughly ¥3,000–¥4,000, depending on traffic.
The Ticket Lottery: A Game of Chance
Step 1: Head to the Official Nintendo Museum Website: Visit here and hit “Reserve Tickets.”
Step 2: Choose Three Time Slots: You’ll have to rank your top three date/time options. Even if a slot looks available, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it. So choose wisely!
Step 3: Nintendo Account Required: At least one person in your group must have a Nintendo Account to book tickets. If you don’t have one, create it beforehand here! This is important so make sure you do this step before anything else.
Step 4: Enter Visitor Details:
Full names of all attendees (must match your passport/ID, so make sure you triple check everything).
A working phone number—Nintendo will call on a Japanese number (free of charge) to confirm your identity. This sounds scarier than it is. If you don’t have a Japanese number, you can choose the international option. Make sure you don’t have your phone on airplane mode, since you will have a timer to take that call. Once you pick up, you will get the confirmation through email!
Passport or ID info (you’ll need it at the entrance). So make sure it’s the same information you use on the website.
Step 5: Confirmation Email: After entering, you’ll receive an email confirming your lottery entry. If you win, they’ll notify you of your assigned time slot, and you’ll get a link to complete your purchase. Make sure you confirm everything before finalizing the purchase and BOOM you are good to go!
The Alternative: Direct Ticket Purchase
Didn’t win the lottery? Don’t worry! You can check for available tickets without the lottery, but options are very limited. It’s the same process, just with fewer choices.
Ticket Prices:
Adult (18+): 3,300 yen (including tax)
Youth (12-17): 2,200 yen (including tax)
Child (6-11): 1,100 yen (including tax)
Preschooler (0-5): Free
Inside the Nintendo Museum: What to Expect
Once you make it inside (victory dance optional), get ready for a nostalgic and interactive journey through Nintendo’s legacy.
1. History Meets Nostalgia
You can see how Nintendo evolved from a small card company to a gaming empire. Spot rare prototypes, classic consoles, and original game sketches. It is super fun to see where it all began and they have some one of the kind consoles here that will really blow your mind, including Japan exclusive one’s.
2. Play & Explore
Try out legendary and modern Nintendo games in an all interactive floor! This was by far the best part! We got to play with a giant remote control while attempting to jump on Goomba heads with Mario.
Hands-on exhibits let you see how game development has changed.
3. Exclusive Merch (Wallets Beware!)
If you love collecting Nintendo gear, this is your paradise. The museum has exclusive merch you won’t find anywhere else. Some must-buy items include:
Limited-edition Nintendo Museum-branded plushies, pins and keychains.
Exclusive apparel featuring classic characters.
Reproductions of Nintendo’s early playing cards—a true piece of history, and they go out of stock fast!
Special art prints and posters celebrating Nintendo’s legacy.
Stock is limited, so if you see something you love, grab it before it’s gone! This is were going early is a blessing, but of course, it takes a bit of luck to get that coveted morning schedule!
4. Food & Snacks: What to Try
Unlike many other museums, Nintendo Museum has its very own café, serving up adorable and delicious Nintendo-themed food. If you’re hungry, this is the perfect stop to fuel up before or after exploring! The highlight? You can custom-build your own burger by choosing from different buns (brown, black, or red), mains (like fried chicken, beef patty, or a big mushroom), toppings (cheese, egg, Kyoto green onion, and more), and sauces (like black curry or tartar). The possibilities are wild!
If you are not in the mood to customize, you can try one of their signature burgers like the:
Sukiyaki Burger with tofu, egg, and Kyoto green onion
Big Mushroom Burger (vegetarian-friendly)
Miso Fish Burger with lotus root and shibazuke tartar
Every burger set comes with fries or coleslaw and a drink. The café also features themed desserts and drinks that change with the seasons.
Tip: Go early or after peak lunch hours (12–3 PM) to avoid lines.
5. Epic Photo Ops (But With Some Limits!)
Snap pics with life-sized Warp Pipes!
Themed backdrops make for the ultimate gaming selfie.
BUT—be aware that some areas have photography restrictions, especially near prototype displays and certain exhibits. If you see a "No Photos" sign, respect it—Nintendo is serious about keeping some secrets under wraps! Make sure you don’t take photos on the 2nd floor and certain exhibits on the 1st floor of Exhibition Building 1.
6. Special Events & Rotating Exhibits
Nintendo loves surprises, so keep an eye out for limited-time exhibits and events by checking their website before you go. These often include behind-the-scenes looks at game development, concept art from upcoming releases, and sometimes even pop-up interactive experiences. In our case, we got a sneak peak of the new Nintendo Switch 2!
We also had the chance to make our own Hanafuda cards! Sara had a blast making these and it’s such a cute souvenir to have! Make sure you book your session and get there a few minutes earlier!
Final Tips from Our Visit
Arrive early—entry is smooth, but you don’t want to rush.
Have your confirmation email, passport, and ID handy.
Charge your camera/phone—you’ll want ALL the photos.
Save the gift shop for last—carrying bags while exploring isn’t fun.
Final Thoughts: Worth the Hype?
Absolutely! As lifelong Nintendo fans, this was a dream come true. The museum is a perfect mix of nostalgia, gaming history, and interactive fun. If you’re heading to Kyoto, plan ahead, enter that lottery, and get ready for a magical experience!
And as always, keep wandering! 🎮
