A Nintendo Pilgrimage [part 7 of 7]: My Unforgettable Week in Kyoto

A Short Stop in Osaka Before Heading Home

After the incredible days in Kyoto in the first week of October 2024—including two visits to the Nintendo Museum and many other memorable moments—we had one more day left before our flight home.

As the airport is a little way south of Osaka, we decided to spend that last day in Japan's second-biggest city.

While in Osaka, we had to visit Den-Den Town, of course—the electronics, games, and anime shopping area, similar in concept but smaller in scale than Tokyo's Akihabara.

Super Nintendo World

Another must-visit destination was Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan (USJ).

It was my second time at USJ, having also visited in 2023.

Once I made it into Super Nintendo World—which was crowded as always—darkness had already set in.

One of the main attractions, besides the layout designed as a full Super Mario level, is the Mario Kart ride simulation inside Bowser’s Castle.

The queue is usually long, but there’s so much to see that time passes quite quickly.

Trophies and special items are all recreated in real-life with great attention to detail.

After an exciting Mario Kart race, I spent some more time exploring the many features of Super Nintendo World. I also tried to peek into the Donkey Kong Country area, which was still under construction at the time—but I soon discovered that it was very much off-limits.

You can see part of Donkey Kong Country area in the background...

... however, the entrance to Donkey Kong Country was still blocked

One Final View across the City

The final night of the trip had come, and I headed to the Umeda Sky Building for a last view of the city.

The Umeda Sky Building stands about 170 meters tall and features a 360-view observation deck.

As I gazed across the endless sea of lights beneath me, my thoughts turned to the past seven days. They had been so full of activity that the week felt much longer—but at the same time, it had flown by.

Heading Home

It was now time to pack for the return trip home.

The morning of my flight, I got up early to head to the airport by train. Most of Osaka was still asleep, and the city that had been so full of life the day before seemed almost deserted.

My plane was already waiting for me, and I slept through most of the flight—exhausted, but happy.

Back Home - Souvenirs and Memories 

Back home, it was time to unpack and admire the souvenirs I brought with me. Most of all, that oversized Wii Remote with its equally oversized carry bag.

Another special item I took home was the 1894 Kyoto city guide that includes one of the oldest known Nintendo advertisements.

But more than anything, I will cherish the memories of visiting the Nintendo Museum together with friends Florent and Fabrice, and meeting so many wonderful people along the way.

Thank you all for the shared experience.

And so concluded my unforgettable week in Kyoto!

[Check out part 1 of this travel report here]