MIMARU Apartment Hotels has crafted what it calls the “ultimate two-week, around-the-world vacation for video game fans,” blending immersive themed accommodation with a globe-trotting itinerary that hits iconic gaming landmarks from New York to London.
The trip is anchored by MIMARU’s famous Pokémon Rooms—apartment-style suites decked out in Pokémon décor, themed tableware, exclusive gifts, and a giant Snorlax plush that guests can literally sleep beside.
The itinerary at a glance
The 14-day journey is structured as a progressive tour of gaming history, pop culture, and interactive entertainment:
- United States: Start at Nintendo New York, then fly to Dallas and visit Frisco’s interactive National Videogame Museum. Continue to Los Angeles to enter the Mushroom Kingdom at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood.
- Japan (the centerpiece): In Tokyo, stay in a MIMARU Pokémon Room at MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro, steps from Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO, Pikachu Sweets, Bandai Namco Cross Store, Capcom Store Ikebukuro, Nintendo TOKYO, Pokémon Center SHIBUYA, SEGA Store Tokyo, and Akihabara’s arcades and retro shops.
- Kyoto & Osaka: Take the bullet train to Kyoto for the Nintendo Museum in Uji, then head to Osaka for Den Den Town and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Japan.
- United Kingdom: End in England with Power Up at London’s Science Museum and Sheffield’s National Videogame Museum.
Throughout Japan, MIMARU’s Pokémon Rooms turn the hotel stay itself into part of the experience, surrounding guests with Pokémon décor, themed tableware, exclusive gifts, and that giant Snorlax plush.
What travelers and reviewers are saying
MIMARU Pokémon Rooms (Tokyo and beyond)
Guests consistently describe the Pokémon Rooms as a highlight for families and fans:
- “The giant Snorlax in the room was amazing, and the space was very comfortable. Highly recommended for Pokémon fans!”
- “The beds were comfy and the huge, snuggly Snorlax plush made the stay a truly memorable experience.”
- Families praise the spacious, apartment-style layout, kitchenettes, and friendly, English-speaking staff, with many calling it ideal for multi-generational trips.
Review aggregators rate MIMARU Tokyo Ikebukuro exceptionally highly (around 9.4/10 on major sites), with specific Pokémon Room reviews noting happy kids, cool gift sets, and well-executed theming.
National Videogame Museum (Frisco, Texas)
Visitors describe the Frisco museum as a nostalgic, family-friendly destination:
- “The whole family enjoyed our afternoon walking through the National Videogame Museum… Great family fun!”
- “It’s very cool to see the history of video games. My kids loved it.”
- It holds strong ratings (around 4.6/5) and is praised for its mix of playable classics, arcade cabinets, and rotating exhibits.
Nintendo Museum (Kyoto/Uji)
Since opening in late 2024, the Nintendo Museum has drawn fans for its deep dive into Nintendo’s history and craftsmanship:
- “Classic games and history everywhere! The interactive zone is a blast, and the exclusive merchandise inside is a big draw.”
- “If you ever grew up with any Nintendo device, this museum is for you. Pure nostalgia heaven.”
- Reviewers note it’s worth the trip from central Kyoto, though tickets must be booked well in advance via a lottery system.
Power Up (London Science Museum)
London’s Power Up exhibition is framed as a playable journey through five decades of gaming:
- “Power Up at the Science Museum is one of the best interactive family attractions in London for gamers… genuinely fun for both adults and kids.”
- Visitors highlight the breadth of consoles (150+ across five decades), retro nostalgia, VR experiences, and multiplayer setups.
- A minority of reviewers wanted more contextual information or clearer instructions, but most emphasize the hands-on fun and historical range.
National Videogame Museum (Sheffield, UK)
Sheffield’s museum is celebrated as the UK’s dedicated videogame heritage site:
- “Loved it. Spent a good couple of hours playing games that I hadn’t seen for years and reading some of the history behind the industry.”
- It offers over 100 playable titles, workshops on game development, and opportunities to test unreleased games, earning around 4.3/5 from more than 1,000 reviews.
- Some critics feel it could expand interpretive content, but families and retro fans generally rate it highly for interactivity and nostalgia.[
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD (Hollywood and Japan)
While specific comparative reviews vary by date, both SUPER NINTENDO WORLD parks are widely regarded as immersive, highly themed lands:
- Hollywood’s version brings the Mushroom Kingdom to life with Mario Kart–style rides, character meet-and-greets, and interactive Power-Up Band gameplay.
- Japan’s USJ version is often praised for its scale, queue entertainment, and integration with the wider Universal Studios Japan experience.
What the future reveals about video game tourism
This MIMARU itinerary reflects a broader, accelerating trend: video game tourism is moving from niche pilgrimages to mainstream travel planning.
- Themed accommodation as destination: MIMARU’s Pokémon Rooms exemplify how hotels are becoming attractions in their own right, not just places to sleep. Industry commentary notes these rooms are “truly memorable” and a key reason families choose specific properties.
- Museumification of gaming: New institutions like the Nintendo Museum and expanded exhibits such as Power Up signal that gaming history is being treated like film, music, or art heritage—worthy of dedicated museums, curated narratives, and tourism circuits.
- Cross-border gaming circuits: The itinerary’s structure—linking multiple countries via iconic gaming sites—mirrors how fans already plan trips around conventions, launches, and park openings. As more cities invest in gaming attractions (museums, themed lands, flagship stores), organized “gaming world tours” like this are likely to proliferate.
- Family-centric design: Reviews repeatedly emphasize multi-generational appeal—parents reliving childhood games while kids engage with interactive exhibits and themed rooms. This positions video game tourism as a durable family travel segment rather than a passing fad.
Full 14-day itinerary (as outlined)
While the original message notes the complete itinerary appears after the sender’s signature, the described route can be summarized as:
- New York: Nintendo New York
- Dallas/Frisco, Texas: National Videogame Museum
- Los Angeles: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Universal Studios Hollywood
Tokyo:
- Stay: MIMARU Pokémon Room (e.g., Ikebukuro)
- Visit: Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO, Pikachu Sweets, Bandai Namco Cross Store, Capcom Store Ikebukuro, Nintendo TOKYO, Pokémon Center SHIBUYA, SEGA Store Tokyo, Akihabara arcades and retro shops
- Kyoto (Uji): Nintendo Museum
- Osaka: Den Den Town and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Universal Studios Japan
- London: Power Up at the Science Museum
- Sheffield: National Videogame Museum
Accommodation in Japan centers on MIMARU’s Pokémon Rooms, with the giant Snorlax plush and themed amenities making the hotel stay part of the attraction.
If you’d like, I can reshape this into a polished travel-feature draft (with quotes, sidebars on costs/booking tips, and a day-by-day breakdown) tailored to a family, pop-culture, or travel audience.