Level up at the first-ever Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan

Having earned a place of pride in pop culture, Nintendo holds equal monopoly with card and video games in the hearts of gamers. Bringing its journey to a full circle, the Nintendo is set to inaugurate its first-ever museum in Kyoto, Uji City in Japan. The museum will be housed in a renovated building from 1969, where the gaming giant first created its Japanese and Western-style playing cards, and repaired consoles.

At the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, visitors can explore vintage video games and the firm’s first consoles. They can also enjoy the shooting game, witness a giant controller operated by two people, and an exhibit featuring ancient Japanese poems. The museum will open to the public on October 2, 2024.

Everything you need to know about Nintendo’s first museum in Japan

Nintendo said Tuesday it will open the much-awaited museum on October 2. The inauguration will be featuring vintage video games and an interactive shoot-em-up with Super Mario characters. https://t.co/jw2yCpo6uW

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) August 20, 2024

Nintendo announced its intention to open a museum in 2021. The initial plan was to complete the museum by early 2024. Now, with the opening date nearing fast, Nintendo loyalists can soon get the chance to immerse themselves in the playful evolution of Nintendo at its first-ever museum.

In a recent video released by Nintendo, Shigeru Miyamoto — the creator of Super Mario Bros and other famous games — can be seen giving viewers a sneak peek into the museum. Watch the video here:

Nintendo entered the gaming market in 1889, with the Japanese ‘hanafuda’ cards. In 1977, the brand launched its first home video game machines, called TV Game 15 and TV Game 6. The company started retailing its Nintendo Entertainment System console in 1983. Two years later, the Super Mario Bros. games were launched — making the gaming giant truly iconic.

Besides the new museum, gaming enthusiasts can also take a trip to the brand’s first theme park to extend the experience. Known as Super Nintendo World, the park opened in March 2021. The theme park is a part of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

Tickets for the Nintendo Museum are available on their official website.

Ticket prices: Ticket prices differ across four age groups, as follows:

• Adults (18+ years old) is Yen 3,300 (USD 22.65)
• Youth (12-17 years old) is Yen 2,200 (USD 15.10)
• Children (6-11 years old) is Yen 1,100 (USD 7.55)
• Pre-schoolers (0-5 years old) is free

Nintendo Museum location: 56 Kaguraden, Ogura-cho, Uji-shi, Kyoto, Japan 611-0042

Timing: 10 am to 6 pm (last entry at 4.30 pm)
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. The museum will remain closed during the New Year’s Holiday Season (December 30-January 3). In case a national holiday falls on a Tuesday, the museum will remain open, with the weekly off pushed to the next day (Wednesday).

This article first appeared on Travel + Leisure.

(Main and featured image: Nintendo)