Nintendo Kyoto Store - Kyoto Takashimaya Shopping Center - Review
By now you would have realised following our Instagram, that we are massive Nintendo fans so we made sure that we ticked the rest of the Nintendo boxes during our second Japan trip this month.
The Nintendo Kyoto store is located within the new T8 Building - Kyoto Takashimaya Shopping Center, more precisely on the 7th floor. But before we headed there, we noticed a few cool things along the way. When walking in the underground from the station to the store, we noticed some cool Nintendo wallpaper with retro Mario games on one side and new Mario games on the other with a few Pikmin in the mix and a sign pointing to the store - Mario original music was also playing which was pretty fun.
Photos taken January 2025.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Before you head upstairs to the 7th floor, make sure you grab a selfie or photo in front of the large Mario head on floor 1 - so cool!
Note - on days when the store expects congestion, such as Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the store will be distributing entry with numbered tickets. Before opening, tickets will be distributed in front of Mario at the entrance to the specialty store zone [T8] on the 1st floor and after opening, they will be distributed in front of the stores on the 7th floor. Only one numbered ticket will be distributed per person. More info here. We visited on a weeknight so had no issues.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
On floor 7, you will find the Nintendo Kyoto store and all the merch you may need from various games.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
We visited in January 2025 which is Japan winter, so the store had a few winter Nintendo clothing items for purchase.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
The Nintendo Kyoto store also had Hanafuda cards (origins of Nintendo) as well as many game specific merchandise such as Zelda, Splatoon and Animal Crossing (our favourite!). It also had the cool little fidget type controllers in capsule machines which you can grab for 500 Yen.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Before you leave the Nintendo Kyoto store, don’t forget to go to the roof top (see signs or ask staff) and grab a selfie with Mario or grab a seat to relax. Staff were there when we visited and took a family photo for us which was very nice of them. You can always take your own photos too. This area may be busy during busy periods but worth it for the cute photo.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Our Tips:
The Nintendo Kyoto store is located within the Kyoto Takashimaya Shopping Center. 〒600-8002 Kyoto City Shimogyo Ward Shijo-dori Teramachi Higashiiru 2-chome Otabicho 35 Kyoto Takashimaya SC [T8] 7th floor.
Transport info via train (from their website): [Hankyu Railway] Get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line, directly connected via the underground. [Keihan Railway] 5 minutes walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station.
The store is open every day 11:00 - 20:00 and entry is FREE.
If you plan on buying lots of Nintendo gear, you can get points if you use your Nintendo account as well as special gifts on some purchases (see staff for details).
Most Nintendo stores are now not Tax Free since some tax changes, however you can claim taxes in Tax Free areas or online now with new system.
There are quite a few food places and shops in the Takashimaya Shopping Center.
Note from their website regarding busy periods: For the time being, on days when we expect congestion, such as Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, we will be accepting entry with numbered tickets. Before opening, tickets will be distributed in front of Mario at the entrance to the specialty store zone [T8] on the 1st floor (location shown in the photo), and after opening, they will be distributed in front of the stores on the 7th floor. Only one numbered ticket will be distributed per person. Thank you for your understanding.