The Game World Steps into Daily Life – Part 2

📍 Osaka · 👁 964 reads

Hola! I’m KURO, an international student from Mexico.

As a huge fan of Japanese games, this time I visited the official Nintendo store "Nintendo OSAKA," which is about a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro Umeda Station.

In the first part, I gave a detailed introduction to the store statues and merchandise related to Mario, Splatoon, and Pikmin.

Now, in the second part, I’d like to share my report on The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing merchandise, Nintendo OSAKA exclusives, the game experience area, and how numbered tickets are distributed!

So, let me dive into "Nintendo OSAKA" now.

First, I headed to the Zelda section.

The first thing that caught my eye were these pin badges: the Heart Container (770 yen including tax), the Ocarina of Time (1,100 yen including tax), and Majora's Mask (1,320 yen including tax)!

Online, they looked flat, but in reality, they have a nice three-dimensional quality and are very high quality. They instantly brought back memories of items I used during my adventures and helped me clear the game. I’ll buy the Heart Container pin to increase my health! (laughs)

I also found these keychains (1,540 yen including tax) with a design that would make any fan’s heart race!

So you can finally get the key to the boss room! With this, you can start a boss battle anytime… (laughs) The Lon Lon Milk next to it is also adorable.

These temperature-sensitive mugs (1,760 yen including tax) turn red one by one from the left heart when you pour in a hot drink, just like recovering health in the game! Such a brilliant idea! ❤❤❤

The person who came up with this is a genius. When I’m tired, I can drink something hot from this mug and feel my health recovering♪

Other Legend of Zelda merchandise includes stylish hoodies (8,250 yen including tax), spiral notebooks (858 yen including tax), practical tote bags (7,700 yen including tax), and even coin pouches (2,420 yen including tax)! From items that scream “This is Zelda” to subtle designs that only true fans would recognize, there’s an endless variety👍

Next, I went to the Animal Crossing section.

This, this is…! A coffee set designed after the owner of the in-game café, "The Roost." The colors and the owner’s logo are so beautiful, it feels like it could actually appear in the game! I can almost hear the owner saying, “That’ll be 200 Bells…” (laughs)

There are also plenty of kitchen items to make cooking more fun!

The preserve jars and storage containers come in simple black and white designs that blend well with home interiors.

There are adorable cutting boards (1,870 yen including tax), oven mitts (1,430 yen including tax), and enamel pots (5,060 yen including tax)—all kinds of practical items. If I gave these mitts to my mom in Mexico, she’d be so happy.

And so many villager plushies! Familiar characters like Tortimer, Johnny, the café owner, and Tom Nook are all here, and each one is super cute!!

I found some snacks that make great gifts, so let me introduce a few!

A small pack of cookies (2,200 yen including tax) featuring iconic characters from the Super Mario series.

The container is shaped like a sewer pipe, which is really playful. I wonder which Mario game I played first? (laughs)

Splatoon octopus cookies (1,595 yen including tax) include both squid and octopus-shaped cookies!

How about giving your game buddies at school or work a squid as a souvenir? (laughs)

These snowball cookie tins (1,458 yen including tax) are designed with Timmy, Tommy, and the twins.

They have a slight tropical vibe (laughs)

These marshmallows (1,469 yen including tax) are printed with various Animal Crossing characters.

Whoever receives them as a gift will be delighted, and they’re also perfect for dropping into hot cocoa to enjoy yourself.

Every snack is a great gift option—it’s hard to choose! (laughs)

These T-shirts and ballpoint pens with the "Nintendo OSAKA" logo are exclusive items you can only get here. Why not buy one as a souvenir of your visit to Osaka?

Other merchandise featuring Nintendo characters in a parade design is only available at "Nintendo OSAKA" and "Nintendo TOKYO"—these are rare items perfect for souvenirs! Seeing characters from different games come together is truly exciting.

I also found plenty of adorable Kirby merchandise!

The relaxed look of the tote bag and other trendy designs really capture Kirby’s essence, and they make me smile just by looking at them♪

Oh my gosh!!

I even found merchandise for my favorite action-adventure game, Metroid! Since it’s merchandise for a game I love, I’m absolutely thrilled.

There are also board games like Mario Life Game, Hanafuda (Japanese playing cards), poker cards, LEGO sets, eco bags, and much more—a wide variety of products☆

Game consoles and software are also on sale!

The Nintendo Switch controllers come in bright, trendy colors that look beautiful and make you want to buy every new shade.

There are even retro-style controllers compatible with the Nintendo Switch Online service! (*This product can only be purchased by subscribers of the paid service “Nintendo Switch Online.” You need to show your Nintendo Switch Online membership status at the checkout.)

By the way, I still treasure my NINTENDO 64 controller that I’ve had since I was 5 years old.

The game experience area, which was suspended due to COVID-19, has reopened!

I tried out Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It had been a while, but the tracks are beautiful, and it was so much fun. It makes me want to own it! (laughs)

You can also try out games you’re interested in and the latest releases—it’s a great place for game enthusiasts♪

Today was a weekday, so it wasn’t too crowded, but I heard it gets very busy on holidays! When it’s expected to be crowded, numbered tickets are distributed.

▲ In front of the water clock

▲ Distributing numbered tickets at the entrance of "Nintendo OSAKA"

I was told that before the store opens at 10 a.m., numbered tickets are distributed in front of the water clock, and after opening, they are distributed in front of the store. However, this can change depending on the crowd, so check the official Twitter for the latest information on ticket distribution!

Ta-da! After my research, I bought my favorite Zelda items. The bag also features Nintendo characters, making me feel like they’re coming home with me. I decided to play Nintendo games as soon as I get home! (laughs)

What do you think of "Nintendo OSAKA"? Is there any merchandise that caught your interest?

My impression from this visit is that the store is very appealing—not just for kids, but for adults too! The merchandise is really well-designed, so fans will love it, but there are also many items that even people unfamiliar with the games would want to buy. After this research, my wish list has grown even longer, and I’ll definitely come again♪ If you ever visit Osaka, be sure to stop by!

* Product prices and availability are as of the time of the interview. Please note that they may have changed.

Travelogue Index

1. Adventure Merchandise from Your Dreams Is Here – The Legend of Zelda Merchandise

2. Items That Seem Straight Out of the Game – Animal Crossing Merchandise

3. Various “Nintendo OSAKA” Snacks Perfect for Souvenirs

4. Don’t Miss the Exclusives Only at “Nintendo OSAKA”!

5. Kirby and Metroid! And Many Other Popular Merchandise

6. Plenty of Game Equipment Like Controllers

7. Try the Latest Games in the Game Experience Area

8. Check Twitter for the Day’s Crowd Level and Numbered Ticket Distribution!

Tourist Information

Hotel Index