Nintendo Museum Overseas Visitors Reportedly Breaking 'No Photos' Rule

Photos featuring hardware prototypes have gone viral

by · Nintendo Life
Image: Nintendo

According to a new story doing the rounds, overseas visitors are causing some troubles at Nintendo's museum in Japan.

As highlighted by Twisted Voxel, a report by the Japanese site 'Nintendo Every' claims some tourists are sharing photos of the "no-photography area" in the museum on social media platforms. One post, in particular, featuring hardware prototypes has gone viral, receiving thousands of likes:

Image: via 'Nintendo Every'

Although Nintendo is known to operate a bit differently at times, it's not uncommon for museums and places like art galleries to have a "no-photo" rule in place in certain sections, and generally touching exhibits or things you shouldn't is prohibited.

These kinds of actions follow a story last week about a museum visitor unplugging the cord of a Super Nintendo controller:

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What's concerning is the possibility this sort of behaviour could result in Nintendo implementing new rules for certain visitors.

As much as Japan welcomes tourists, there's been a sharp rise in travellers in recent years - with the country implementing new restrictions and fees in response to this. There have also been some cases where tourists are not respecting the local rules, culture and laws.

Of course, this isn't the first time something like this has happened and it's only become harder for companies to police in the age of social media.

Nintendo's new Switch Online playtest launched this week and it asked participants to not to "discuss or disclose content". Unsurprisingly, as soon as it went live, players were streaming and uploading footage of the playtest on social media and other parts of the internet.

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If we hear any other stories like this, we'll let you know. And if you are visiting Nintendo's museum, check before you take a photo, or maybe even ask a staff member just to play it safe.

[source nintendoevery.com, via twistedvoxel.com]

About Liam Doolan

Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief.

Comments 26

Nintendo’s ‘no sharing’ rules are bad design on their part if they actually expect total and complete obedience by the public.

You know, its really not that hard to obey the rules.

I hope that someone made a screenshot/downloaded the photo that was listed above. I want to see those prototypes as well. Not every Nintendo fan can afford a trip to Japan, after all.

This says a lot about how Nintendo is extremely naive when it comes to how people outside of Japan think. Japanese people are raised to be more respectful and obey the rules, while we always look to break those rules.

Nintendo did it to themselves really, same goes for their “playtest program”. Should have allowed photography on-site (at least with a tax as many museums do if they feel they would lose money somehow)

Instead of "no photgraph" areas, they should be "bound and gagged" areas. The Nintendo themed restraints they get to take home after the tour. (:

Some people just will not follow any rules. I'd been to a few places in Japan with no photo rules. There'd be staff giving several reminders about it but the second they look away someone pulls out a phone and starts taking photos anyway.

I don't see any need for discussion here. If you enter a space, follow the rules, it's not that difficult.

Says less about Nintendo and more about people that don't bother to follow even the most basic of rules.

This is only furthering the Japanese public's negative view on us Westerners when people do stuff like this. It sets a stereotype that we can't even follow the most basic rules, and showcases that a good chunk of people genuinely have no manners or understanding that other people outside of themselves exist.

This story about the photographs is annoying, but the story about the people ripping out power chords to prove that Nintendo is using "emulators" just baffles me. Would these people genuinely act like this in museums at their home country, or is this special because "It's Nintendo!!!"

How many here that say “it’s easy to obey basic rules” have ever had a comment on NintendoLife removed?

VoidOfLight wrote:

It sets a stereotype that we can't even follow the most basic rules.

I mean, I've seen a good chunk of people who don't even bother to wash their hands after COVID so it's not too far off

This is disgusting! Outrageous!

Anybody got a link to the photos so I know what not to take a picture of if I ever go to the museum?

@N00BiSH That's fair. I've known people who never washed their hands at all, even before Covid happened. Don't get why it's just so hard for some to even do that.

Oh gods, you guys are referencing twistedvoxel? That's not good. The site and associated sites are known for stealing from other reporters and sites. :/

It's probably the first time they have been in a museum.

@GrailUK Well it feels like that anyway. Most museums have similar rules.

Very simple, if you're on someone elses property then follow their rules.

Search everyone and have their phone removed before they enter said area. Much like at an airport. I would prohibit the violators from entering any Nintendo related store for the rest of their lives.

Following a simple rule as no photos should not be that freaking difficult.

Tourisst acting like a🐍🐍holes in Japan what else is new?

Rules are meant to be tested. No one likes to be told what to do. It’s human nature. With that being said, why would anyone have a museum with no photos allowed. It’s 2025 almost, people have the means and urge to capture photos. It’ll happen regardless of rules.

I’ve been a few times in Japan, and the culture and people there are so lovely, friendly, and just utterly respectful towards each other.

It’s very heart breaking to see tourists barging in and acting like complete savages. Not just in this case of the Nintendo museum, but they also behave like this in other tourist attractions and sacred temples.

@Flashlink99 please enlighten me then, if people if Japan are raised to be respectfull, why are there different (subway) trains for women?
Hint, it is the same reason as other countries like Brazil, India & Egypt.

No country is without their issues, people need to stop glazing over Japan. Yes it is annoying for Nintendo that people broke their rule, a very simple rule.

Well, I guess this is one way to ensure Nintendo never bring their boring old museum over to the West.

Great job as usual, team

Everything's the foeigners' faults in Japan.

İ am not in shock that is kind of a thing happened in the Nintendo Museum. Visitors will take photos from everything. İt is like that.
There must be warning from the entrance from the Nintendo Museum.
YOU CAN NOT TAKE PHOTOS HERE İN THE NİNTENDO MUSEUM.

@BrintaPap what does the segregation have to do with anything?…
I was simply saying how they follow the rules as enacted. Another example would be if you entered a Japanese Apple Store. You wouldn’t find the test devices tied to anything as Japanese people wouldn’t steal them en masse or mess up the stores like in the West, mainly referring here to the whole SNES controller debacle. They actually have the sense of responsibility and shame unlike here.

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