Kyoto is famous for its ancient temples, bamboo forests, geishas, and traditional machiya houses. But for the kid in me, it’s also famous as the birthplace of Nintendo. Almost everyone knows Nintendo. It’s one of those iconic Japanese companies that has shaped generations through its legendary games and characters. Growing up, Nintendo was a huge part of my childhood. From the Game Boy and Family Computer to the Nintendo Switch, it was always there. Characters like Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong became part of our lives growing up.
So you can imagine how excited I was when I had the chance not only to visit Nintendo’s original office, but also spend the night inside its very first headquarters—now beautifully preserved as the luxury boutique hotel, Marufukuro.
MARUFUKURO
342 Kagiya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan
+81 75-353-3355
reception@marufukuro.com
@kyoto.marufukuro
https://marufukuro.com/en/
HISTORY
Tucked away on a quiet street near the Kamo River, Marufukuro is a luxury boutique hotel with an interesting history. Before becoming a hotel, this property served as Nintendo’s original headquarters, making it one of Kyoto’s most historically significant buildings for gaming fans.
Originally built in 1930, this Art Deco building stands out among the traditional neighborhood that surrounds it. Carefully restored by the Yamauchi family, every effort was made to preserve the property’s original character while transforming it into one of Kyoto’s most unique luxury hotels.
To give you an idea, Marufukuro is made up of four interconnected buildings.
The first building is Nintendo’s original headquarters. The second is a contemporary addition designed by the legendary architect Tadao Ando. The third was once the private residence of Nintendo’s third president, Hiroshi Yamauchi. Finally, the fourth building was the original warehouse and factory where Nintendo produced its famous hanafuda playing cards.
Even the impressive LEGO model displayed here was commissioned from renowned LEGO Certified Professional Jumpei Mitsui.
Before checking in, guests are treated to a guided tour of the property where they share the fascinating history behind Nintendo and how everything began. The space we’re standing in right now used to be Nintendo’s reception area and now serves as the hotel’s elegant lounge.
Even better, many of the original sofas, chairs, and furnishings have been carefully preserved, making it feel as though the employees had just stepped out for lunch.
Throughout the lounge you’ll find original office items transformed into art, including this collection of authentic office keys that once opened Nintendo’s office spaces. Today, they’re displayed as beautiful reminders of the company’s humble beginnings.
You’ll also get the chance to play hanafuda—the traditional Japanese playing cards that Nintendo originally became famous for long before video games ever existed.
Believe it or not, Nintendo began in 1889 as a hanafuda playing card company. Long before Mario and Zelda, they were producing handcrafted cards used for traditional games throughout Japan. This room now serves as a small museum showcasing that fascinating history.
They call this room the Library, but honestly it feels more like a museum filled with Nintendo memorabilia and rare artifacts that you probably won’t find anywhere else.
One of my favorite discoveries was the Nintendo Light Telephone, released in 1971. Instead of using radio waves or wires, it transmitted voices using a beam of light. It perfectly captures Nintendo’s quirky creativity long before they entered the video game industry.
Another fascinating artifact is this original Nintendo office stamp that was once used to approve official company documents.
And of course, who could ever forget the legendary Family Computer or Famicom that many of us grew up playing?
Another unexpected surprise is this beautiful self-service bar. Guests are actually encouraged to step behind the counter and mix their own cocktails. Even cooler, many of the spirits served here are personal favorites of the Yamauchi family.
Heading back downstairs, the lobby continues to showcase original architectural elements, including these beautifully restored wooden floors that have witnessed decades of Nintendo history.
This grandfather clock isn’t just decorative, it originally served as a time clock where Nintendo employees would punch in and out for work.
As you explore the hotel, you’ll notice one recurring artwork—a heron sculpture created using old wallpaper, newspapers, and original documents. The heron was said to be a favorite motif of the Yamauchi family and appears throughout the property.
Interestingly, the heron and fish motifs also pay tribute to the nearby Kamo River, which runs alongside or parallel to the hotel.
Moving into the second building, the atmosphere becomes noticeably more modern. One highlight here is the blueprints by Tadao Ando. On the right is his unrealized Urban Egg proposal for Osaka—a futuristic egg-shaped auditorium designed inside a historic brick building.
This second building also houses another guest lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks available throughout the day.
Outside, you’ll immediately recognize Tadao Ando’s signature exposed concrete architecture—simple, minimalist, and instantly recognizable around the world.
The third building was once the private residence of Nintendo’s third president, Hiroshi Yamauchi, which explains why it feels much more like a traditional home than the other buildings.
It even still has its original doorbell in place—a small but charming reminder of its past.
Inside are several guest rooms featuring elegant European-inspired interiors that have been carefully restored to match the home’s original design.
Another quirky fact is that from a certain angle, the house resembles the shape of a boat. I’m not entirely sure if that was intentional, but it’s definitely an interesting detail.
Finally, we arrive at the fourth and last building—the original warehouse and factory where Nintendo produced its hanafuda playing cards.
Outside you’ll still find the original wooden crates once used to store and transport the playing cards. On the side is Nintendo’s name in Japanese, commonly interpreted as “Leave luck to heaven,” a fitting phrase for a company whose roots were in playing cards.
Inside, you’ll also see the original electrical control panels and freight elevator that were once used to move goods between floors. I love that they’ve preserved these industrial details instead of hiding them.
The hallways are lined with original hanafuda cards and historical displays showing how Nintendo evolved from a card manufacturer into one of the world’s greatest entertainment companies.
STAY
But beyond being a museum of Nintendo history, Marufukuro is first and foremost a luxury boutique hotel that offers one of Kyoto’s most unique stays.
During my two-night stay, I had the chance to experience two different room categories, both located in the fourth building.
For the first night, I stayed in a Japanese-inspired balcony room featuring high ceilings, japanese lanterns with a warm homey atmosphere.
It beautifully blended Japanese and Western design with tatami flooring paired with raised Western-style beds.
What I loved most, though, was the panoramic view overlooking Higashiyama and the mountains surrounding Kyoto.
For my second night, I was upgraded to the spacious Japanese Junior Suite, which felt incredibly spacious by japan hotel standards.
Although it didn’t have a balcony, I really appreciated the separate living room and stylish sliding doors that divided the bedroom from the lounge.
There was even a cozy reading nook beside the bedroom—perfect for relaxing with a book or sneaking a quiet midnight snack.
This suite also featured walk-in closets, double vanities, and a huge soaking bathtub. I honestly wish I had stayed here longer than just one night—but hopefully next time.
DINING
Of course, no staycation is complete without great food, and Marufukuro certainly delivers.
For dinner, we enjoyed an intimate kaiseki experience at the hotel’s restaurant, which opened just beside the fourth building.
We chose their 15-course kaiseki menu. It sounded overwhelming at first, but every course was surprisingly light, balanced, and beautifully prepared using locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
One of the highlights was the sweetfish paired with homemade cucumber. The flavors were simple, while the slightly bitter fish head added an unexpected taste that actually complemented the dish beautifully.
The vegetable roll was another surprise. It showcased seasonal vegetables bursting with flavor while serving as a refreshing palate cleanser.
My favorite, however, was the Kameoka duck. It was served rare and lightly tempura-fried—a technique that’s apparently difficult to perfect. Surprisingly tho, the meat remained juicy while keeping its satisfying texture.
Another standout was the grilled eel served with wasabi and rice. I don’t normally order eel, but this one completely changed my mind about the dish.
But dessert stole the show. A sweet potato slow-cooked for an hour before being lightly fried and topped with vanilla ice cream. It reminded me of a naturally made crème brûlée with its caramelized exterior and creamy interior. Easily one of my new favorite desserts.
Compliments to Chef Atsushi, who has spent over two decades mastering Kyoto cuisine, for preparing such a memorable kaiseki dinner.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I had an incredibly memorable stay at Marufukuro.
When I think of Kyoto hotels, they’re usually either deeply traditional or strikingly modern. Marufukuro somehow sits perfectly between the two. It blends classic Japanese design with contemporary luxury while preserving one of Nintendo’s most important historical buildings.
More than just a hotel, it felt like spending the night inside a living museum. Every hallway, artifact, and room told a story—not just about Nintendo, but about Kyoto’s history itself.
For someone who grew up with Nintendo, this wasn’t simply a luxury staycation. It felt like stepping inside a time capsule and reliving a small piece of my childhood.
And honestly, that’s something you simply can’t put a price on.
MARUFUKURO
342 Kagiya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, Japan
+81 75-353-3355
reception@marufukuro.com
@kyoto.marufukuro
https://marufukuro.com/en/
Live an Awesome Life,
NICO of Team Our Awesome Planet