
Management promises “comfortable hospitality for both domestic and international travelers.”
As the cultural and historical heart of the country, Kyoto deserves a spot on any Japan travel itinerary. However, with the city welcoming so many travelers, sometimes it can be hard finding a hotel with vacant rooms on the nights you wish to stay.
But if you are looking for a place to stay in Japan’s former capital, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a new hotel currently getting ready to receive guests. In a nod to local history, the building is actually the former headquarters of a local company. Maybe you’ve heard of it; it’s called Nintendo.
Here’s something even more old school: Nintendo’s old headquarters (prior to their 1963 name change to “Nintendo Co., Ltd.” when they were primarily a playing card manufacturer). pic.twitter.com/FAuJEFkili
— James Burns (@kuribojim) January 7, 2019
Back in the pre-video game era, Nintendo made playing cards, and later branched out into children’s toys. After the release of the Famicom/NES, though, the company rapidly grew into one of the most successful entertainment media companies on the planet, and that expansion meant it eventually had to move out of the office building it had been working in since 1933.
https://twitter.com/shonyaku/status/752061173206437889The building still stands, complete with its bilingual “Nintendo Playing Card Co.” signs, but it’s been idle for some time. However, that’s going to change when the old Nintendo HQ reopens as a hotel, to be managed by Plan Do See, a Tokyo-based company that specializes in renovating unused historic buildings and giving them a second life.
The plan is to retain and refurbish the existing building, while adding on to the structure with new construction. In addition to guestrooms, the hotel will have a restaurant, bar, gym, and spa. It’s also in an excellent location, just two blocks from the scenic Kamogawa River and within easy walking distance of Shichijo Station, Shoseien Garden, and Higashi Honganji Temple.
The hotel, for which an official name has yet to be announced, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2021.
Source: Plan Do See via Denfaminico Gamer via Hachima Kiko
Images: Plan Do See
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’d recommend grabbing a drink at Kon’s Bar near Kamogawa, except it’s now closed down.


Former Nintendo headquarters reopens as hotel in Kyoto
Nintendo HQ-turned-hotel shows off beautiful guestrooms waiting for travelers to Kyoto【Photos】
Nintendo buys five-billion yen plot of land, will build new development headquarters in Kyoto
Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters is back to normal after replacing N that blew away in typhoon
Nintendo files multiple new trademarks for hotel/restaurant operations in Japan
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Survey finds more than 70 percent of Japanese children have an online friend
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Father of shojo manga hosts yearly one-man exhibit with new and classic artwork【Images】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
Is Tokyo’s real-world Kamurocho as dangerous as the Yakuza games’ setting? Mr. Sato investigates
Artist makes cool Gundam, tanks, and rifles out of Amazon boxes to show they’re all secretly cute
Cafe turns Japan’s most beautiful paintings into beautiful shaved ice dessert drinks【Photos】
Take it From a Native! Recipe for Delicious Japanese Curry as Found at Coco Ichiban
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Nintendo to convert former Kyoto factory into museum of the company’s history
129-year-old photo of Nintendo headquarters shows company hasn’t always been run from a gray box
The restaurant that powered the team behind one of Nintendo’s biggest hits
Nintendo’s newest Switch game will teach you how to make games of your own【Video】
Cute and comfy women’s-only hotel in Kyoto has everything you need for the perfect girls’ trip
After years of stomping on enemies, Nintendo’s Mario becomes a stamp series in Japan
Nintendo’s first smartphone app creates a virtual you that does social networking all on its own
Fire breaks out in Kyoto hotel, mobile battery to blame
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo’s first ever dedicated shop in Japan, opens–here’s the awesome merch!
Nintendo opens free gameplay area in Japan’s Kansai International Airport
Foreigners welcomed to apply for jobs as designers on Nintendo’s new Legend of Zelda game
Mario World: The awesome Nintendo-themed apartment you can rent for your next short stay in Tokyo
Tokyo’s historical Gakushikaian hotel is closing for good, but there’s still time to stay
Make summer super with Nintendo’s new Super Mario outdoor goods lineup【Photos】
Foreign tourists outnumber Japanese ones at Kyoto hotels for first time ever
Leave a Reply