Try Nintendojo’s suggestions for players of must-see locations and issues to do in Osaka!
Welcome to the third and last entry in our Nintendojo in Japan sequence. Within the earlier two entries, I mentioned the locations in Tokyo and Osaka I might suggest any gamer or Nintendo fan ought to take a look at. This time, our last cease in our journey takes us to Kyoto, the place very outdated historical past and modernity collide.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 informed and retold numerous occasions. Nonetheless, what many individuals could 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 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 resort. Authentic particulars, like lighting, tile work, molding, and even some doorways, have all been preserved and integrated into the redesign, and trendy additions are tasteful and mix into the surroundings seamlessly.
The hospitality we obtained right here was second to none. From the second we entered the foyer to the second we drove away after trying out, we had been handled with the utmost heat and respect. Company 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 buy right here to commemorate your keep, together with a mini steel reproduction keychain of the constructing’s unique placard (which continues to be mounted exterior the doorway).
Company 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 bit extra playful and pay the best homage to Nintendo’s gaming historical past, whereas nonetheless maintaining the inside design very midcentury trendy. 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, nicely, Marufukuro in its entirety.
This was my favourite resort of the journey by far, and staying right here was one among my very favourite moments general. Marufukuro does so much to shatter the stereotype that players are immature or juvenile and will by no means admire an expertise like this. There’s no means the resort designers had been unaware of the truth that it could entice players and Nintendo followers, in order that they discovered a solution to lean into embracing the gaming facet of Nintendo’s historical past whereas maintaining it relegated to at least one space of the resort and nicely integrated into the general aesthetic of the place.
NINTENDO KYOTO
Positioned a couple of 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 photographs Nintendo has posted it appears 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 instances constructed into the ceiling, which look down on adoring visitors. 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 objects 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 should you’re a collector, you’re undoubtedly 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 at the least a 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 an in depth, expensive 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. In fact, please do remember to interact 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 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 prepare to our subsequent vacation spot. I hope you’ll get to expertise the wonder and marvel of Japan your self at some point.