Manpuku-ji Temple in Obaku and the Nintendo Museum

This tour takes you to the Nintendo Museum in Ogura, Uji, to experience the history of Nintendo's entertainment, followed by a ride on the JR Nara Line to Obaku. You will explore Manpuku-ji Temple, built in the Chinese Ming dynasty architectural style, and then take the Keihan Uji Line to Mimuroto-ji Temple, a pilgrimage stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage that is also known as Hana-no-Tera Temple.

Historical Background and Local Charm

The building of the Nintendo Museum was originally Nintendo's Uji Ogura Plant. Built in 1969 as the "Uji Plant," it mainly produced playing cards and hanafuda (flower cards). On October 2, 2024, it was reborn as a facility where visitors can learn about and experience the history of entertainment through the numerous products Nintendo has released over the years.

Manpuku-ji Temple in Obaku is the head temple of the Obaku sect. The eminent Chinese Ming dynasty Zen master, Ingen Ryuki, founded the temple in 1661 (Kanbun 1) and gave it the same name as the temple in China where he had previously served as abbot. Its buildings were constructed in the style of the late Ming period. In 2024, three of its structures—the Tenno-den (Heavenly Kings Hall), the Daio-hoden (Main Hall), and the Hatto (Dharma Hall)—were designated as National Treasures. The architecture, sencha (steeped tea), and fucha ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) introduced by Zen Master Ingen influenced Edo-period culture as a whole.

Mimuroto-ji Temple is the 10th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage of 33 temples. According to the temple's tradition, its origins date back to 770 (Hoki 1), when a Thousand-Armed Kannon statue that emerged from an abyss of the Shizu River, a tributary of the Uji River, was enshrined as the principal image. The temple came to be called Mimuroto-ji Temple because it served as a detached palace for three emperors: Konin, Kazan, and Shirakawa.

Major Highlights

• ​Nintendo Museum​​: On the second floor of Exhibition Building 1, numerous products released by Nintendo over the years are on display, allowing visitors to view them while recalling their own memories and experiences. On the first floor, visitors can use the 10 coins per person that come with their entry pass to enjoy interactive exhibits, such as operating a giant controller together in pairs. There are also workshops where visitors can craft and play with hanafuda, Nintendo's foundational product.
• ​Manpuku-ji Temple​​: Entering through the Somon (General Gate), the Sanmon, Tenno-den, Daio-hoden, and Hatto are aligned in a straight line, with all buildings connected by covered corridors. At the front of the Tenno-den, a large seated statue of Hotei, regarded as an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha, is enshrined. Visitors can walk around seeking unique designs not typically seen in other Japanese temples, such as the arched "Obaku ceiling," round windows, and the fish-shaped wooden gong called "kaipan" in front of the Sai-do (refectory).
• ​Mimuroto-ji Temple​​: In front of the main hall stand the "Hosho-gyu" (cow statue), which is said to grant winning luck when you stroke the stone ball in its mouth, and a guardian rabbit statue. Throughout the temple grounds, seasonal flowers bloom: 250 weeping plum trees, azaleas, 20,000 hydrangeas among the cedar groves, and 100 varieties of lotus in front of the main hall. Near the bell tower, there is also a stone monument marking the "Ukifune Historic Site," associated with the Uji Chapters of The Tale of Genji.

Recommended Route and Duration

The recommended duration is about 6 hours, including sightseeing. Tickets for the Nintendo Museum are sold via lottery, with applications accepted starting three months prior to the visit. Because the ticket specifies an admission time, adjust the order of your visits to the museum, Manpuku-ji Temple, and Mimuroto-ji Temple accordingly. The museum does not have parking for cars or bicycles, so visitors cannot arrive by car or bicycle.

From the museum, it is about an 8-minute walk to JR Ogura Station on the JR Nara Line, or a 5-minute walk to Ogura Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line. Manpuku-ji Temple is located a little over 3 kilometers northeast in a straight line from the museum; take the JR Nara Line from JR Ogura Station and get off at Obaku Station. Manpuku-ji Temple is about a 5-minute walk from the station. With an advance reservation, you can also enjoy fucha ryori at the temple.

From Manpuku-ji Temple to Mimuroto-ji Temple, it is nearly 2 kilometers to the southeast in a straight line. From Obaku Station, take the Keihan Uji Line to Mimurodo Station; Mimuroto-ji Temple is about a 15-minute walk away. There is a steep slope and stairs leading up to the weeping plum garden. During the hydrangea season on Saturdays and Sundays in mid-to-late June, the parking lot becomes very crowded, so traveling by train is recommended.

Summary of the Experience

Trace Nintendo's history of play at a museum born from a factory that produced hanafuda and playing cards, experience the exotic Zen culture brought by Zen Master Ingen at Manpuku-ji Temple with its Ming-style temple complex, and conclude at Mimuroto-ji Temple, known as Hana-no-Tera Temple. This is a one-day itinerary connecting three locations in Uji by train.