This autumn, Japanese games giant Nintendo will open a brand new museum in Kyoto. Get the lowdown here.
Intro
Japan is leading the way when it comes to video games and Nintendo might just be the most famous company of all. This year, in Autumn 2024, the gaming giant will open a brand new museum in Kyoto, which is sure to become another wonderful attraction for gamers everywhere. Let’s take a look. 
A Brief History of Nintendo
Interestingly, Nintendo’s history dates all the way back to 1899! But how is this possible when video games are a much more recent invention, I hear you ask? Well, when Nintendo was founded in Kyoto, Japan, their original business was producing playing cards rather than computer games. They were very successful for many decades, but their fortunes would head in an exciting new direction following advances in technology in the 1960s and 1970s that led to the birth of the modern era of gaming. 
While Japan didn’t invent the first computer game, it changed the industry forever and has dominated the gaming landscape for decades, from the console wars of the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s to incredible technological breakthroughs and the creation of world-famous and hugely popular characters like Sonic and Mario. While the very first computer game, Space War, was created in the US in the 1960s, Japan would lead the way thereafter with the likes of Taito’s Space Invaders in 1978 and Namco’s Pacman in 1980. Released in 1983, the original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) console (or Famicom as it was known in Japan) revolutionised the home console market. Released in the US two years later, it became one of the most popular consoles of the 1980s, and of all time - selling 60 million units. Sega’s Master System was one of its main competitors during the early days of the console wars between the two Japanese companies.
In 1989, Nintendo released the Gameboy which did for portable games what the NES had done for home consoles. Nintendo and Sega continued their rivalry into the 1990s with the Super Nintendo console and Sega Megadrive respectively (plus their famous mascots, Mario for Nintendo and Sonic for Sega) before a new rival emerged in the form of Sony’s PlayStation. The three Japanese companies continued to lead the way for many years afterwards. Today, Nintendo remains at the very top thanks to modern day consoles like the Wii and Switch, which have been hugely successful worldwide and their much-loved franchise such as Super Mario Brothers, The Legend of Zelda, and many more. With Hollywood movies adapting their characters, such as Mario, and a forthcoming Zelda movie in the works, Nintendo are likely to continue their growth and dominance of the gaming industry for many years to come.
What is the Nintendo Museum?
Set to open in Autumn 2024, the Nintendo Museum will be located in Kyoto's Uji City. It will be on the same site as Nintendo’s former Uji Ogura Plant. Back in 1969, this building was still being used for producing trading cards and toy repairs before the company moved into video games - and the rest is history as they say! It will now house Nintendo’s history quite literally in the form of a contemporary, interactive museum with exhibits and showpieces yet to be revealed, but which are sure to celebrate the company’s historic rise and beloved characters, from Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Donkey Kong, to Link, Zelda, Samus Aran, and many more. The museum was first announced in 2012 and was originally scheduled to launch by the end of Spring 2024 but will now finally open its doors in the Autumn.
Once it opens, you’ll be able to visit the Nintendo Museum by taking a quick 30-min train journey from Kyoto Station north to Uji. As well as being a home to Nintendo, Uji is famous for its matcha green tea, Byodo-in Temple, and the Tale of Genji. Read our guide to Visit Uji with the JR Pass for more.
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios
Bonus Recommendations
We’ve lots more for lovers of Nintendo and video games more broadly on our blog page. Here are a few suggestions for further reading based on today’s article.
- Did you know that you can spend the night in Nintendo’s former headquarters from 1933 in Kyoto? Read our guide to Japan’s Most Unusual Accommodation for more.
- Looking for more museum ideas? How about a museum dedicated to Japan’s beloved Studio Ghibli. Find out more in our guide to the Ghibli Museum.
- Meanwhile, we’ve got much more for video game lovers in our guide to visiting Japan for Gamers, Otaku, and J-Culture fans.
- Looking for more on theme parks? Find out everything you need to know about Japan’s DisneySea Resort.
