[2024年]Visiting Nintendo Tokyo on Weekends: Crowds and Guaranteed Entry Tickets for Foreign Visitors

I visited Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo’s official shop, on January 28, 2024!

Nintendo Tokyo distributes admission tickets on weekends to prevent overcrowding.

Without this admission ticket, you cannot enter, so depending on when you arrive, you may receive a late admission ticket, resulting in a long wait.

Due to this situation, I was nervous about whether I would be able to enter early in the morning, but I successfully obtained the admission ticket for 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

After visiting once, I learned details about:
– What time to arrive to get an early morning admission ticket
– Where to wait until 10:00 AM if you arrive early in the morning
– How to spend your free time

What is Nintendo Tokyo?

Nintendo TOKYO is Nintendo’s official store in Japan.

It’s a place that could be considered a sacred ground for Nintendo fans and gamers alike. Here, you can find a wide range of Nintendo games, characters, merchandise, and more.

The store is beautifully designed and enjoyable even if you don’t make a purchase.

Additionally, they sell limited edition and original merchandise, making it a great place to find items you can’t get anywhere else.

Retrieved from https://www.nintendo.co.jp/officialstore/index.html

Location, Directions, and Opening Hours of Nintendo Tokyo

Nintendo Tokyo’s address is as follows:

It is located in the PARCO shopping complex building on the 6th floor.

The nearest station is Shibuya Station, which is a 6-minute walk from Nintendo Tokyo.

Shibuya Station is served by the JR Yamanote Line, Saikyo Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line, Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, Keio Inokashira Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Fukutoshin Line.

The opening hours are as follows: Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM※ Weekends and holidays: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

However, please note that opening hours may vary during holidays and at the end of the year, so it’s a good idea to check the official website for updates.

Nintendo Tokyo Store Information (Nintendo Tokyo Official Page)

Perfect for Tokyo and Japan Souvenirs! Especially for Foreign Visitors

Inside the store, you can find exclusive items that are only available at Nintendo Tokyo. So, in addition to being a Nintendo fan, it’s a great place for tourists to buy original Nintendo TOKYO merchandise and game-related items as souvenirs from their visit to Tokyo or Japan.

I purchased souvenirs when I visited the store, and they were well-received. 😍

Admission Tickets are Distributed on Weekends at Nintendo Tokyo

Nintendo Tokyo is very popular, so they distribute admission tickets on weekends and other expected busy days. Here’s a note from Nintendo Tokyo’s website:

The key point here is that on weekends and holidays, admission tickets are distributed because they expect it to be crowded. It’s likely that they distribute admission tickets during the holiday season as well.

Based on online information, it appears that you can enter without an admission ticket on weekdays, making weekends and holidays the target days for admission ticket distribution.

If the store opens at 10:00 AM on weekends and holidays, it seems that they start distributing admission tickets around 9:00 AM.

I will provide more details later, but I can confirm that they start distributing tickets around 9:00 AM, as I visited it in person.

Don’t Get Lost! Locations for Distributing Admission Tickets Before and After Nintendo Tokyo Opens

Location for Distributing Admission Tickets Before Opening

As mentioned earlier, before opening, admission tickets are distributed at “Shibuya PARCO 1F.”

You can roughly figure out the location by looking at the map provided above, but to alleviate any concerns, I’ve created a detailed map.

When you arrive at Shibuya Parco, you’ll see Nintendo Tokyo staff in red jumpers standing around, so you don’t need to worry. They also provide assistance in English when foreign visitors ask questions.

Additionally, if you want to enter right at the opening time, the entrance will be where they distribute admission tickets.

You’ll need to take the stairs up to the 6th floor to enter, so be careful if you want to enter right after they open!

Location for Distributing Admission Tickets After Opening

After opening, you can go directly to Nintendo Tokyo on the 6th floor of Shibuya Parco; there’s no issue with that.

Admission tickets are distributed at the “6F Outside Staircase Entrance in front of Mario Statue.”

Here are photos of the entrance during entry restrictions and the location for distributing admission tickets:

You Can Only Get One Admission Ticket Per Person, So Everyone Should Go Together

This is also mentioned on the official website, but admission tickets are distributed one per person.

Certainly, infants (e.g., babies aged 0) can be carried, but if they are 3-4 years old and can walk, it’s a good idea to get an admission ticket for them.

Additionally, you can only receive admission tickets for the number of people present at that moment.

So, when receiving admission tickets, make sure everyone in your group is there. You cannot have one person represent the group and get tickets for everyone.

Once You Enter, Your Admission Ticket Will Be Collected! No Re-entry Allowed

Furthermore, admission tickets are collected when you enter Nintendo Tokyo, and re-entry is not allowed.

Even if you have a temporary engagement and need to leave temporarily, re-entry is not permitted.

Please take note of this.

If You Want to Enter Nintendo Tokyo Right After Opening on Weekends, What Time Should You Arrive?

This is an important point.

In summary, if you want admission tickets for the 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM time slot, you should arrive between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM!

When I visited on January 28 (Sunday), I arrived at 9:35 AM and managed to get the last admission ticket for the 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM slot. I received the last ticket for that time frame.

After me, they started giving out tickets for the next time slot (likely 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM).

On January 28, it was a weekend, but it was relatively empty. So, on busier days, you might want to arrive even earlier to secure admission tickets right when they open.

Waiting and Passing Time Before Nintendo Tokyo Opens – Starbucks in the Same Building is Recommended

If you go to Nintendo Tokyo at 9:00 AM and successfully get admission tickets, you might be wondering where to spend your time until the store opens at 10:00 AM.

It’s natural to be concerned about what to do until then.

When I went, I waited at Starbucks Coffee in the same Shibuya PARCO building. There is an elevator near the area where they distribute admission tickets that takes you directly to Starbucks Coffee inside Shibuya Parco.

Since you’re likely starting your day early, it’s a good idea to relax at Starbucks Coffee until it’s time to enter Nintendo Tokyo.

Photos and Details of Weekend Crowds at Nintendo Tokyo

Entry Method and Crowds Before Opening

Now, I’ll share some photos of the actual situation at Nintendo Tokyo on the day of my visit.

I arrived at the entrance (where they distribute admission tickets) exactly at 10:00 AM, but many people were already in line.

People who already had admission tickets and those who wanted to get tickets for the 10:00 AM time slot were in the same line, making it quite long.

However, once it turned 10:00 AM, the line moved smoothly, and I was able to enter without any issues. There were staff members in the PARCO building to assist, and they were very polite.

Store Crowded 30 Minutes After Opening, But Shopping Is Still Manageable

I entered the store at 10:03 AM, and within 30 minutes, it was already quite crowded.

Everyone who had entry tickets for 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM had entered by that time.

However, the store wasn’t so crowded that it made shopping difficult; you could still shop comfortably.

They even had Nintendo Switch games available to play in the store, and the waiting time was around 5 minutes.

Here’s a glimpse of the store 30 minutes after opening.

Even in this situation, there weren’t many people in line at the checkout, and the payment process went smoothly.

There were only about 10 people in line at the checkout, and it took about 5 minutes to complete the payment.

Entry Restrictions Implemented After 1 Hour of Opening

After opening for 1 hour, there were even more people, but the situation didn’t change much compared to the first 30 minutes.

They are managing entry restrictions with entry tickets, so it’s crowded, but you can still shop comfortably.

After the Wait at Nintendo Tokyo, Head Over to Pokemon Center!

Actually, on the same floor as Nintendo Tokyo, there’s a Pokemon Center!

So, even if you’re delayed in getting your entry ticket, you can have fun waiting at the Pokemon Center.

I went to Pokemon Center after visiting Nintendo Tokyo, so going there after you finish at Nintendo Tokyo is also a good option.

There’s even an event space, and a large Pikachu was there on the day I visited (laughs).

Conclusion: It’s Recommended to Visit Nintendo Tokyo by 9:30 AM on Weekends!

That’s the report for Nintendo Tokyo on weekends.

If you want to enter Nintendo Tokyo on the weekend without waiting, it’s recommended to arrive by 9:30 AM!

Even if you couldn’t get an entry ticket for 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, you’ll probably be able to get one for 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Even if you enter a bit later, the store is still crowded but manageable for shopping, and you can enjoy your time waiting at the Pokemon Center.

Are You Familiar with the Famous Taxi App “GO” in Japan?

If you’re planning to move around Tokyo by taxi, consider using the taxi app called “GO.”
It’s a reliable taxi booking app that even visitors from overseas can use comfortably.

Here are some details about the “GO” taxi app:

It supports in-app English language options and accepts credit cards issued abroad. This means that international travelers can download the “GO” app from their respective app stores, register their credit cards, and not only book taxis in Japan but also take advantage of all its features, such as “AI reservations,” specifying vehicle preferences like sliding doors, and using “GO Pay” for payment during street-hail rides. Additionally, for customers who have set their device language to something other than Japanese, the automatic name confirmation when meeting the driver becomes a smooth process as it automatically checks the meeting number, benefiting both passengers and drivers who may not be confident in the language.
By providing seamless services through the app, from booking to drop-off and payment, “GO” aims to enhance the mobility experience for inbound travelers, reduce the burden on drivers struggling with language barriers when dealing with international passengers, and ultimately promote customer referrals to domestic taxi operators.

[Source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000203.000030664.html]

You can download the app from the following URLs:

Apple (iPhone)

Android