Marufukuro in Kyoto, Nintendo’s Former Headquarters Reimagined as an Exceptional Retreat

The Quiet Charm of a Revitalised Kyoto Neighbourhood

In Kyoto, Marufukuro enjoys a rare setting in the Kagiyacho district, just a short distance from the station and near the banks of the Kamo River, amid an urban landscape still steeped in old-world charm. Removed from the tourist bustle yet perfectly connected, the hotel provides an ideal base from which to explore the former imperial capital: Shosei-en Garden, an annex of Higashi Honganji Temple, Sanjusangendo Temple, and the Kyoto National Museum are all within easy reach. With its peaceful lanes, historic buildings, and new discreet addresses, this revitalised neighbourhood cultivates a nostalgic and elegant atmosphere, perfect for experiencing a more intimate side of Kyoto.

Nintendo’s Birthplace Awakens as an Exceptional Hotel

In this quiet Kyoto neighbourhood, Marufukuro draws its elegance from a remarkable history. It was here in 1889 that Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo, opening a small workshop devoted to hanafuda cards, a traditional Japanese game distinguished by its intricate motifs. From these handcrafted beginnings gradually emerged a thriving company that became one of Japan’s foremost names in playing cards. In the 1930s, to support its growth, the Yamauchi family commissioned a complex combining offices, warehouses, and a private residence: a place for both work and daily life, imbued with the spirit of Marufuku, a former name associated with the company, which was reborn in April 2022 as the quietly sophisticated Marufukuro hotel.

The property first captivates with its Art Deco architecture, inherited from the early Showa era. Clean lines, geometric motifs, colourful accents, stained glass, and original tiles create a beautifully balanced setting, meticulously restored with the utmost respect for the original structure. Nothing here feels frozen in time: traces of the past emerge through a preserved sign, an emblem, the outline of the façades, and period features retained and incorporated into the décor, including the original lifts. Together, these details offer subtle reminders of the era when Nintendo produced hanafuda, karuta, and other playing cards, long before entering the global imagination through digital entertainment.

The renovation orchestrates a delicate dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity. Alongside the three historic buildings stands a wing designed under the direction of Tadao Ando, where concrete, light, and uncluttered volumes introduce a calm, almost meditative modernity. The various spaces named Spade, Heart, Club, and Diamond subtly extend the playing-card theme, while the library designed by Suppose Design Office, the artworks, and the archival objects lend the property the character of a collector’s home. Marufukuro thus offers a discreet, cultivated, and profoundly Japanese form of luxury, where every detail connects its artisanal origins with a distinctly contemporary vision of hospitality.

18 Rooms Blending Retro Charm with Tadao Ando’s Clean Lines

Marufukuro is home to just 18 rooms and suites, spread across the three historic buildings and the contemporary annex. Each differs in size, atmosphere, and layout, cultivating a highly individual character that blends 1930s elegance, Nintendo heritage, and thoroughly modern comfort. In the original buildings, the rooms subtly evoke the spirit of the former headquarters through moss-green tones, carefully selected furnishings, and retro details, while the new wing places the emphasis on natural light, clean lines, and the exposed concrete favoured by Tadao Ando. Among the finest categories, the Japanese Suite, set within the former Yamauchi residence, charms with its traditional aesthetic, tatami flooring, and outdoor rotenburo bath; the Residential Suite, conceived as a true 75-square-metre apartment with a kitchenette and laundry facilities, offers a brighter, more contemporary atmosphere; while the Marufukuro Suite, perched atop the new annex, unites past and present within a spectacular space of approximately 78 square metres, complemented by an expansive terrace.

We had the pleasure of staying in the Japanese Balcony King, located on the top floor of the historic building. At 45 square metres, it strikes a beautiful balance between intimacy, space, and refinement within a Japanese-Western atmosphere. Its private balcony opens onto panoramic views of Higashiyama, while the high ceilings and triangular exposed framework give the room a distinctive character and heighten the sense of space. Elegant without ostentation, the décor combines retro spirit, contemporary comfort, and delicately Japanese details, creating an especially inviting cocoon after a day exploring Kyoto. Everything that defines Marufukuro’s discreet charm is present: a generously stocked minibar, postcards in the hotel’s signature colours, and a room unlocked with a charming antique iron key adorned with a key ring inspired by Nintendo’s historic signage. The bathroom features a deep bathtub, locally made amenities, and traditional Japanese washbowls and stools.

The Refinement of a Japanese Morning

The day begins with a delicate Japanese breakfast, composed entirely of savoury nuances, in which every preparation celebrates the season and the elegance of local flavours. Carefully cooked in an earthenware pot, the rice is accompanied by comforting miso soup, the fish of the day such as salmon grilled with soy sauce, and a choice of refined small dishes, from Kameoka beef sukiyaki to noodles scented with aromatic vegetables. A selection of traditional accompaniments — chirimen sansho, ume, hijiki, Manganji pepper with miso, and tsukudani-style simmered ginger — invites guests to savour each bite slowly, in the spirit of a Japanese morning that is at once simple, generous, and exquisitely considered.

Our Dinner at Tempura Marufuku

At Marufukuro, gastronomy unfolds as an intimate encounter with Kyoto and its seasons. Behind the discreet noren curtain of Tempura Marufuku, the chefs perform a delicate culinary ballet before your eyes, placing each freshly fried piece of tempura on the other side of a superb counter crafted from polished pale wood. Light and ethereal, they reveal the purity of carefully selected ingredients sourced from Kyoto and the surrounding area, presented on artisanal tableware from across Japan. In the evening, the experience takes the form of 12- or 17-course tempura kaiseki menus.

Our 12-course dinner begins with freshwater clam soup of quintessentially Japanese restraint, served in a small ceramic cup. From the very first sip, it proves a delicate yet profound opening, centred on the gentle minerality of the freshwater clams, with an enveloping warmth that prepares the palate without weighing it down. To accompany our meal, I chose a dry Sawaya Matsumoto sake, which brought crystalline precision, while my husband preferred the Nude Beer Kyoto Craft Komorezora, extending the sense of freshness like a breath of light between umami, delicate salinity, and artisanal elegance.

The kuruma prawn arrives with elegant Japanese simplicity. Encased in an almost weightless golden batter, its delicate frying allows the prized prawn’s pearly, sweet flesh to shine, while the head and slender, crisp legs lend a more intense, savoury taste of the sea. This mouthful evokes the quiet luxury of an omakase meal: precision of technique, purity of produce, and the immediate pleasure of the contrast between fragile crispness and tender seafood.

After this expression of the sea, Kyoto’s Kamo aubergine introduces a gentle vegetal sweetness, served in a small green ceramic bowl that highlights the golden tones of the delicately fried aubergine. Its flesh is meltingly soft, almost creamy, with lightly crisp edges, and coated in a dark, glossy sauce of profound umami. Shavings of dried bonito arranged on top bring an airy, saline, and smoky note, dancing in the heat of the dish and accentuating the natural sweetness of this prized Kyoto variety.

The vegetable theme then gains intensity with Manganji pepper and bottarga, presented as a delicately fried morsel in which the pepper’s tender green hue appears beneath a fine layer of light, crisp batter. Generously scattered over the top as a golden powder, the grated bottarga lends an intense maritime salinity that contrasts with the vegetal sweetness of the Manganji pepper, renowned for its subtly sweet flavour and very gentle heat. The result evokes contemporary Japanese elegance, pairing ethereal tempura with a luxurious Mediterranean condiment and combining crisp, melting, and granular textures. It carries the meal forward on a note that is refined, vibrant, and deeply umami.

In a sunnier vein, the sweetcorn arrives as a delicate golden morsel. Light and finely irregular, the batter reveals an airy, almost lace-like texture, while its honey-blond colour promises the corn’s natural sweetness concentrated beneath a crisp shell. Served alone and without embellishment, this small bite relies on the purity of the ingredient and the precision of the technique: seemingly simple yet refined, it brings the corn’s vegetal sweetness together with the subtle warmth of perfectly mastered frying.

The meal then returns to flowing waters with ayu, served whole in a delicate golden batter whose crisp contours reveal the subtle character of the river fish. Alongside it, a small touch of sansho-leaf sauce brings a fresh, peppery, almost citrus-like lift that awakens the flesh’s gentle sweetness and balances the airy texture of the coating.

As a counterpoint to this river-borne delicacy, the carrot arrives as a study in minimalist elegance: a long, deep-orange slice with its base encased in a thin, crisp tempura batter. The contrast is particularly enticing, balancing the carrot’s expected vegetal sweetness, the smoky depth of its colouring, and the ethereal texture of the batter. The result feels both rustic and refined, perfectly embodying the spirit of a Japanese fine-dining counter where every detail, from service to cooking, celebrates precision and seasonality.

Next comes the tempura of the day’s fresh fish with caviar, a morsel of rare elegance: a piece of seasonal fish encased in an exceptionally light, pale, and crisp tempura batter. A generous spoonful of caviar crowns the dish with its dark, pearlescent lustre, contrasting with the delicate coating and white flesh in an encounter between warmth, the sea, and luxurious salinity. A lemon wedge placed alongside provides a burst of bright acidity and heightens the impression of refinement within an understated, intimate, and precious Japanese presentation.

The progression through the sea continues with turbo shellfish, served by hand on a slender skewer, its light, lace-like batter revealing the shellfish’s pearly nuances beneath a crisp veil. The texture plays on the contrast between the airy crunch of the coating and the briny, almost creamy flesh, enhanced by a liver and seaweed sauce that promises umami depth with saline and subtly earthy notes.

As the savoury courses draw to a close, a bowl of rice with conger eel tempura arrives, its pearly, fluffy, gleaming grains topped with generous pieces of conger eel, fried until perfectly golden and delicately glazed with an amber-hued sauce. The coating is fine and crisp, with irregular ridges that promise a light bite before revealing the fish’s tender flesh, while the rice gently absorbs the sweet and savoury notes.

Finally, vanilla ice cream with sweet potato is presented as a dessert of refined simplicity, served in a broad, translucent bowl that highlights the contrast between the smooth, creamy ivory scoop and pieces of roasted sweet potato in golden and purple hues. The milky sweetness of the vanilla envelops the denser, almost candied texture of the sweet potato, whose lightly caramelised edges bring warmth and rustic character. It is a minimalist yet charming composition, its elegance arising from the balance of freshness, rounded sweetness, and earthy flavours — an ideal way to conclude the meal on a delicate, soothing, and deeply comforting note.

Two Lounges Between Quietly Preserved Memories and Japanese Avant-Garde

The Guest Lounge elegantly extends the arrival experience within an atmosphere that is both intimate and steeped in history. Located in the historic building, it occupies a former reception room now reserved for guests, where check-in also takes place over a welcome drink. This intimate lounge retains original furnishings and decorative elements, providing an ideal setting in which to absorb the soul of the property. Among its features are original armchairs, an antique desk, and a LEGO model of the building, a discreet nod to the company’s playful heritage. Self-service drinks are available throughout the day, inviting guests to pause here whenever they wish.

In the new wing, the Dining Lounge reveals a more contemporary atmosphere, conceived as a living and dining space open at all hours. Designed in the architectural spirit of Tadao Ando, it is also where breakfast is served and offers drinks, light bites, and late-night snacks, while standing out for its notable artistic presence. Pieces donated by Tadao Ando sit alongside various artworks, including works by Yayoi Kusama, creating a subtle dialogue between heritage, design, and contemporary art. Whether settling in for a peaceful break, an impromptu coffee, or a moment of relaxation at the end of the day, each of these two lounges possesses its own character and invites guests to enjoy the hotel at their own pace.

The Library Honouring Nintendo

Named “dNa,” Marufukuro’s library offers a rare immersion in Nintendo’s heritage. Conceived under the supervision of SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE, this elegant guest-only lounge brings together Japanese and international books, vintage consoles, collectibles, and contemporary works inspired by the brand’s founding universe. From interactive installations by Rhizomatics and references to hanafuda cards to iconic pieces such as the Famicom and Game Boy, the space delicately explores Nintendo’s origins, imagination, and philosophy as interpreted by the Yamauchi family.

The library can be enjoyed at any hour in a hushed atmosphere equally suited to conversation and contemplation. Just a few steps away, the self-service bar invites guests to settle in with a coffee during the afternoon or, later, prepare their own drink from a fine selection of whiskies, Scotches, and gins, some recalling the preferences of Nintendo’s founder. Leafing through a rare book, admiring a console transformed into an art object, and then savouring a drink amid this memory-filled setting creates a singular experience that is at once cultural, playful, and decidedly refined.

My Review

Staying at Marufukuro means surrendering to a rare form of luxury — one that favours memory over spectacle, precision over excess, and intimate emotion over grand statements. Within this former Nintendo residence turned insiders’ retreat, Kyoto reveals itself with a particular gentleness, blending Art Deco heritage, contemporary architecture, seasonal cuisine, and exquisitely thoughtful hospitality. The property will appeal equally to design enthusiasts and admirers of Japanese history, to gourmet travellers and those seeking an intimate retreat away from the most familiar itineraries. Marufukuro stands out as one of those precious destinations that inspire you to slow down, see Kyoto differently, and savour every moment with renewed attention.

What I Loved:

• The superb restoration of Nintendo’s former headquarters: the atmosphere of the 1930s has been fully preserved while integrating beautifully with the new building designed by Tadao Ando.
• The hotel’s wonderfully intimate character, with just 18 rooms, as well as its exclusive little lounge where everything is included.
• Truly outstanding cuisine: an excellent fine-dining tempura restaurant and a remarkable breakfast.

What I Regretted:

• Absolutely nothing: the experience is exceptional. Of course, with only 18 rooms, guests should not expect the facilities of a large hotel, but that is precisely what gives the property its charm and exclusivity.

Practical Information

• Japanese Balcony King room priced at €750 in July 2026.