Nintendojo in Japan, Half 3: Kyoto

Welcome to the third and ultimate entry in our Nintendojo in Japan sequence. Within the earlier two entries, I mentioned the locations in Tokyo and Osaka I might advocate any gamer or Nintendo fan ought to take a look at. This time, our ultimate cease in our journey takes us to Kyoto, the place very previous historical past and modernity collide. Let’s leap proper in.

MARUFUKURO

Nintendo’s early historical past as a hanafuda maker and toy firm has been advised and retold numerous occasions. Nonetheless, what many individuals could not already know is that their former Showa period HQ nonetheless stands in Kyoto — however it’s been given a facelift and new lease on life as a boutique lodge known as Marufukuro.

Accomplished in 1930, nearly all of the unique HQ’s buildings stay and have been transformed into an 18-room luxurious escape which pays homage to the structure of the time whereas incorporating trendy facilities and touches. Classic (and a few now almost vintage) furnishings was discovered within the constructing throughout renovations, which was reused within the visitor lounge on the entrance to the lodge. Unique particulars, like lighting, tile work, molding, and even some doorways, have all been preserved and included into the redesign, and trendy additions are tasteful and mix into the setting seamlessly.

The hospitality we acquired right here was second to none. From the second we entered the foyer to the second we drove away after trying out, we have been handled with the utmost heat and respect. Company additionally get quite a lot of perks, from free snacks and drinks all day to a high-end, personal breakfast expertise. There are a handful of souvenirs you should purchase right here to commemorate your keep, together with a mini steel reproduction keychain of the constructing’s authentic placard (which remains to be mounted exterior the doorway).

Company have 24/7 entry to the lodge’s library, self-serve bar, and balcony, and Nintendo followers completely mustn’t skip the library. That is the place the lodge designers allowed themselves to get a little bit extra playful and pay the best homage to Nintendo’s gaming historical past, whereas nonetheless conserving the inside design very midcentury trendy. Numerous consoles are on show among the many gaming books (which can be found to learn), in addition to artwork impressed by Nintendo’s IPs. I can’t consider a spot that extra completely encapsulated my persona and design sensibilities than Marufukuro’s library and, nicely, Marufukuro in its entirety.

This was my favourite lodge of the journey by far, and staying right here was considered one of my very favourite moments total. Marufukuro does rather a lot to shatter the stereotype that avid gamers are immature or juvenile and will by no means respect an expertise like this. There’s no method the lodge designers have been unaware of the truth that it will entice avid gamers and Nintendo followers, in order that they discovered a option to lean into embracing the gaming facet of Nintendo’s historical past whereas conserving it relegated to 1 space of the lodge and nicely included into the general aesthetic of the place.

NINTENDO KYOTO

Positioned a few 24 minute stroll from Marufukuro, Nintendo KYOTO opened two days into our two-week keep in Japan. Sadly, our plans didn’t actually work out to allow me to go to (and consider me, I’m nonetheless regretting it, as a result of how good was that timing?), however from the photographs Nintendo has posted it appears to be like completely gorgeous.

The shop is on the seventh flooring of the Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. division retailer, and visitors are greeted by a lifesized statue of Mario hanging onto a purpose pole that they’re welcomed to take photographs with. Consistent with the classiness of Kyoto, product shows are distinctive, clear, glossy, and trendy, such because the objects in show circumstances constructed into the ceiling, which look down on adoring visitors. When it comes to wares, a lot of what they carry appears to be the identical as what I noticed in Nintendo TOKYO and Nintendo OSAKA, however there are additionally some objects I didn’t see there. Every retailer has its personal persona, in order that in itself makes it value checking all of them out when you’ve got time. However for those who’re a collector, you’re positively going to wish to pop into Nintendo KYOTO to see precisely what objects this new retailer carries that the others don’t.

Whereas Nintendo’s headquarters are based mostly in Kyoto, they’re not open to the general public. Nonetheless, this new retailer ought to do no less than a little bit bit to reduce the sting of being so near greatness, but unable to do a lot however marvel it from afar.

Our whirlwind tour throughout Japan has come to a detailed, pricey readers, however I hope I used to be in a position to level you within the route of some wonderful gaming and Nintendo associated issues to see and do whereas in a few of the nation’s main cities. After all, please do you should definitely interact in Japan’s non-gaming associated tradition when you’ve got the chance to go to. It’s a rustic wealthy in historical past — historic historical past you may see and contact — that had me in awe. I used to be shocked even when participating within the mundane, like shopping for an onigiri at 7-Eleven or hopping on a practice to our subsequent vacation spot. I hope you’ll get to expertise the wonder and surprise of Japan your self at some point.