Marufukuro
Heritage meets Ando minimalism. Art Deco bones with raw concrete modernism layered on top. Quiet, residential, genuinely intimate — only 18 rooms means it never feels crowded. Nintendo nostalgia runs through every corner without being kitschy.
The self-serve bar in the Nintendo dNa Library is open until 11pm — pour your own whisky or gin while browsing first-edition Nintendo books
Why It Matters
The only hotel in the world built inside Nintendo's original corporate headquarters (occupied 1933–1959, when the company made hanafuda playing cards). Tadao Ando oversaw the entire renovation and designed the new annex — complete with his trademark exposed concrete and signature green apple paintings. The result is one of Kyoto's most architecturally significant hotels.
MARUFUKURO is a 18-room all-inclusive boutique hotel occupying Nintendo's original 1930s headquarters in Kyoto's quiet Kagiyacho neighborhood. Three historic buildings — the old office wing, the Yamauchi family residence, and a former warehouse — were restored and paired with a fourth, brand-new building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. The Nintendo Playing Card Co. sign still hangs on the exterior wall. Inside, you get original Art Deco tiles, carved wooden beams, and old fireplaces alongside Ando's signature raw concrete and floor-to-ceiling glass. Everything is all-inclusive: the minibar, lounge drinks and snacks around the clock, and access to the Nintendo dNa library where you can mix your own cocktail at the self-serve bar.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
Deluxe
A corner room at the top of the library building, so natural light comes in from two sides. The bed is positioned at the very rear for maximum privacy. Original construction details are preserved in unexpected places — cross-girders in the bathroom ceiling are the standout quirk.
Japanese Balcony King
Top floor of the original building, with a private balcony offering a full panoramic view of the Higashiyama mountains. The triangular-frame high ceilings create a dramatic atmosphere. Recently renovated (early 2026) as a Japanese-Western hybrid room where you remove your shoes at entry, with added Japanese design elements.
Japanese Junior Suite
On the second floor of the existing building with the largest bathroom of any room in the original buildings. The space is unified by a calm, modern color scheme — more restrained than the other heritage rooms. Separate living room and bedroom make it feel like an apartment.
Japanese Suite
The only room in the hotel with a traditional tatami-floored Japanese room alongside a Western-style bedroom — this was once part of the Yamauchi family founder's private residence. Carved wooden beams and traditional layout intact. Private outdoor bath. At nearly 70 sqm it's one of the most generous footprints in the existing buildings.
69.99 sqm
Marufukuro Suite
The flagship room, spanning both old and new buildings — the only room where you truly experience both halves of the hotel at once. At 74.65 sqm before you even factor in the rooftop, it includes a private barrel sauna on the terrace (85°C, with a 12°C cold plunge), a spacious bedroom, and a living room in Ando's signature green and natural wood palette. If you want the best room in the building, this is it.
74.65 sqmResidential Suite
Feels like a high-end city apartment — has a mini kitchen and laundry, so it works for longer stays. Floor-to-ceiling windows across one entire wall, with Higashiyama views visible even from the bathroom. Ando's raw concrete texture comes through clearly here.
Standard
The most understated room in the existing building. Divided into two sub-spaces, with William Morris wallpaper at the entrance and a large decorative wooden door that nods to the building's original use. Quieter aesthetic than the other heritage rooms, but still full of character.
Standard Twin
The entry point into Ando's new wing. Wood-paneled interior, natural light throughout the day, and the same minimalist design principles as the rest of the annex. Smaller footprint than the suites, but still well above typical hotel standard in terms of finish and size.
Superior King
Formerly used as a guest room when Nintendo occupied the building — so the original furnishings informed the design. The fireplace is the centerpiece and remains as a design feature. Rare Taishan tiles and original ceiling decorations are still in place, and the curtains pick up the same color palette.
Superior Twin
In Ando's new annex, with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that define the building. Clean, minimal, flooded with natural light. A small library sits in front of the room in the corridor — if you book the adjacent Standard Twin simultaneously, the two rooms connect.
The Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A fitness gym with showers, an 8-minute walk from the hotel. Complimentary for guests, open 10:00–19:00 (last entry 18:00). Available to guests aged 18 and above. Contact reception to arrange.
Morning guided tours of the hotel's history and the Nintendo origins story, offered in both English and Japanese. Covers the building's architectural details, the hanafuda card-making era, and the preserved design elements throughout. Free for guests.
Complimentary bicycles available for guests, 7:00–21:00. The hotel recommends cycling south along the Kamo River to Fushimi Inari Taisha and Tofukuji Temple, or north to Shijo Kawaramachi and Nishiki Market.
Guests can play bartender in the Nintendo dNa Library, choosing from a range of whiskies, scotches, and gins and mixing drinks for themselves or fellow guests. Open 8:00–23:00. Included in the all-inclusive stay.
A traditional public bathhouse with sauna, just a 3-minute walk from the hotel. Complimentary access for hotel guests. Open 14:00–26:00 (Sat–Sun: morning bath from 6:00). Closed Thursdays. Contact reception to arrange access.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Complimentary high-speed wireless internet throughout all guest rooms and public areas.
Every room includes a fully stocked complimentary minibar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and snacks — refreshed throughout the stay.
Japan Bed brand mattress, bedding, and bed frame in all rooms.
Marshall Bluetooth speaker provided in each room.
Locally-produced oltana bath amenities in all rooms: shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hand soap, and body lotion. Japanese wash bowls and stools in bathrooms.
A curated library dedicated to Nintendo's history and culture. Vintage game consoles displayed as art, Japanese and English books on Nintendo, participatory hanafuda artworks, and the original Family Computer on display. Open 8:00–23:00, guests only.
Two guest-only lounges accessible around the clock. Free-flow drinks and light snacks included in all room rates.
Marufukuro does not have a swimming pool.
Dry cleaning and laundry services available on request.
Multilingual staff available around the clock. English-speaking staff confirmed.
Private luxury car transfers from Itami Airport (from ¥24,600 JPY) or Kansai Airport (from ¥42,300 JPY). Driver meets guests in the arrival lobby with hotel name card. Advance reservation required — contact the hotel directly.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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