Take a look at Nintendojo’s suggestions for avid gamers of must-see locations and issues to do in Osaka!
Welcome to the third and closing entry in our Nintendojo in Japan collection. Within the earlier two entries, I mentioned the locations in Tokyo and Osaka I’d suggest any gamer or Nintendo fan ought to take a look at. This time, our closing cease in our journey takes us to Kyoto, the place very outdated historical past and modernity collide. Let’s soar proper in.
MARUFUKURO
Nintendo’s early historical past as a hanafuda maker and toy firm has been advised and retold numerous occasions. Nevertheless, what many individuals might not already know is that their former Showa period HQ nonetheless stands in Kyoto — but it surely’s been given a facelift and new lease on life as a boutique resort 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 fashionable 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 resort. Authentic particulars, like lighting, tile work, molding, and even some doorways, have all been preserved and integrated into the redesign, and fashionable additions are tasteful and mix into the surroundings 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. Visitors additionally get a number 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 metallic reproduction keychain of the constructing’s authentic placard (which continues to be mounted exterior the doorway).
Visitors have 24/7 entry to the resort’s library, self-serve bar, and balcony, and Nintendo followers completely mustn’t skip the library. That is the place the resort designers allowed themselves to get a little bit extra playful and pay the best homage to Nintendo’s gaming historical past, whereas nonetheless preserving the inside design very midcentury fashionable. Varied 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 character and design sensibilities than Marufukuro’s library and, properly, Marufukuro in its entirety.
This was my favourite resort of the journey by far, and staying right here was one in every of my very favourite moments total. Marufukuro does so much to shatter the stereotype that avid gamers are immature or juvenile and will by no means admire an expertise like this. There’s no approach the resort designers have been unaware of the truth that it will appeal to avid gamers and Nintendo followers, so that they discovered a strategy to lean into embracing the gaming facet of Nintendo’s historical past whereas preserving it relegated to at least one space of the resort and properly integrated into the general aesthetic of the place.
NINTENDO KYOTO
Situated 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 excellent was that timing?), however from the images Nintendo has posted it appears to be like completely beautiful.
The shop is on the seventh flooring of the Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. division retailer, and friends are greeted by a lifesized statue of Mario hanging onto a objective pole that they’re welcomed to take images with. In step with the classiness of Kyoto, product shows are distinctive, clear, glossy, and fashionable, such because the gadgets in show circumstances constructed into the ceiling, which look down on adoring friends. By way of 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 gadgets I didn’t see there. Every retailer has its personal character, in order that in itself makes it price checking all of them out if in case you have time. However for those who’re a collector, you’re undoubtedly going to wish to pop into Nintendo KYOTO to see precisely what gadgets 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. Nevertheless, this new retailer ought to do at the very least a little bit bit to minimize 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 course 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 have interaction in Japan’s non-gaming associated tradition if in case you have the chance to go to. It’s a rustic wealthy in historical past — historic historical past you’ll be able to see and contact — that had me in awe. I used to be stunned even when partaking within the mundane, like shopping for an onigiri at 7-Eleven or hopping on a prepare to our subsequent vacation spot. I hope you’ll get to expertise the wonder and surprise of Japan your self sooner or later.