Last Updated on October 18, 2023
Happy Mario Day! In our house, March 10th, written with the month abbreviated (MAR 10) is Mario Day. Let’s celebrate everything Mario and show you the unique Nintendo experiences in Japan. Great photo opportunities and places to shop. Where are you going to go first?
Nintendo Experiences in Japan Top Picks:
Short on time? Some of my top recommendations for Nintendo Experiences in Japan:
Accommodation:
–MARUFUKURO Hotel (built inside the Former Nintendo HQ in Kyoto)
–Hotel Universal Port Vita (Universal Studios Japan, Osaka)
Click here for a full list of hotels near Universal Studios Japan
Save Money: Save money while exploring Nintendo Themed experiences and the rest of Japan with a JR Pass for Whole Japan and a Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass.
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Unique Nintendo Experiences in Japan
Editor’s Note: Driving through Tokyo in Mario-themed costumes is not on the list since drivers need to be 18 years old or older to ride. Each driver must have either a Japanese driving license, an International Driving Permit, or a SOFA driving license for members of the US military forces in Japan. Please contact the companies for exact specifications. All of these activities listed could be enjoyed by the entire family.
Nintendo Check-In at Narita Airport
Your Nintendo experience starts right when you get off your plane at Narita International Airport. International flight arrival passage at Terminal 1 will be decorated with Mario game characters and welcome you in multiple languages (English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese).
In “Nintendo Check In”, visitors can enjoy the popular games of Nintendo Switch™ for free inside the exhibit space decorated with the world view of Mario games, and you can take photos with Mario Statue. Narita International Airport Corporation also has the “Nintendo Check In”, which is located inside the Visitor Service Center on the 1st floor of Terminal 1. Guests won’t be able to purchase any Nintendo products, they can get their picture taken with a Mario Statue and photo shooting spot
Play Mario Kart in Japan
Located across Japan is the company Capcom. This Japanese company develops and distributes electronic game machines. Look for the signs that say “PLAZA CAPCOM” and you can easily find a video arcade.
Bring your 100 yen coins and your competitive spirit. Players can compete in games across Japan, or drive in road races across Super Nintendo World. Make sure that you have your Google Translate app on when you play the game. The instructions are in Japanese, with no option to switch to another language.
If Mario Kart is busy, visitors can also try their hand at playing Luigi’s Haunted Mansion. How much fun would it be to play a Super Nintendo game in Japanese? Click on the link for a map of Plaza Capcom locations across Japan.
Shop at The Nintendo Store
“Nintendo TOKYO” was the first Nintendo official shop in Japan. In November of 2022, a second store was opened in Osaka. In addition to selling game consoles, software, character goods, etc., events and game experience sessions will also be held. Impress your friends by purchasing Nintendo Tokyo or Osaka exclusive merchandise.
Shop information
| Hours of Operation | 10:00- 21:00 |
| Forms of Payment Accepted | Yen, Major Credit Cards |
How to get there
Nintendo Tokyo
15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042 (6th Floor)
| Train | A 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station on the Yamanote Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Ginza Line, or the Hanzomon Line |
Nintendo Osaka
13F Daimaru Umeda Store, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 530-8202
| Train | About 5 minute’s walk from JR “Osaka Station” central ticket gate |
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan
Super Nintendo World was the world’s first Nintendo-themed land inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan. It officially opened in March of 2021 and has been the ultimate destination for every Nintendo fan. You’ll need a day ticket to enter Universal Studios Japan and a timed-entry ticket for Super Nintendo World.
Guests travel through a green warp pipe and explore Super Nintendo World. Though the space seems small, this area of the amusement park has two attractions, a restaurant, snack stands, character greetings, and fun interactive elements.
Rides
Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly attraction where you hop on the back of a Yoshi and take a colorful tour of Super Nintendo World. On the ride, guests will need to match the colored eggs on your lap bar to the illuminated eggs while riding the ride. The color matching is great for the preschool-age crowd and younger. You must be at least 92 cm to get on this ride. Guests over 92 cm and under 122 cm need to be accompanied by another guest.
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge is an AR (augmented reality) dark-ride video game. AR goggles are attracted to a headset to superimpose characters and other video game elements within your view. Guests can experience collecting coins, throwing shells, and trying to get the highest score.
You must be at least 107 cm to get on this ride. Guests over 107 cm and under 122 cm need to be accompanied by another guest. Single Rider Option is Available.
Kinopio’s Cafe
The main restaurant is Kinopio’s Cafe, inside the gigantic mushroom on the first floor. You can’t miss it! The restaurant offers western-style foods such as themed burgers, pasta, salads, pizza, and even desserts. We thought the pizza bowl and the “? Block” Tiramisu was so cool to eat, and photograph. The prices of food can be a bit expensive than restaurants outside of the theme park. The cafe accepts major credit cards for payment.
Character meetings
Yes, you can meet Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Peach, and have your photo taken. What surprised me is that while Princess Peach waits for guests under her gazebo, she even speaks in English.
Interactive elements
Guests can purchase Power-Up Bands, which are collectible slap-on bracelets that add a real-life video game element to Super Nintendo World. While in the world, you can collect virtual coins and items plus more. To play, guests must enter Super Nintendo World and use the official Universal Studios Japan app.
Stay at MARUFUKURO Hotel
While you won’t be sleeping in a mushroom kingdom-themed room, guests could book a room at the MARUFUKURO hotel in Kyoto. This hotel is made for the ultimate Nintendo fan.
The MARUFUKURO hotel was built inside the Former Nintendo HQ. The Nintendo company was founded in 1889 in Kyoto, Japan, and they sold traditional Japanese playing cards. Nintendo fans could spend the night and stay the night in a suit that was once the former Nintendo headquarters.
Need some more popular characters to find in Japan?
