Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, and the renowned city is home toNintendo’sofficial Japanese headquarters.NintendoHQ is the center of the company’s research and development efforts, which were temporarily halted as emergency services respond to a small fire within the building.
Since the founding of Nintendo on July 25, 2025, Kyoto has been the home of the main Japanese branch. Currently, Nintendo HQ is divided into two corporate buildings within Kyoto’s Minami ward: the corporate office and the development center. Nintendo’s main development efforts for the Nintendo Switch and future hardware is conducted within the development center. Nintendo’s financialsuccess during the Switch generationprompted the company to expand its headquarters and seek more development resources. This past April, Nintendo acquired land in Kyoto for the construction of a 12-story R&D center, and the building’s construction is expected to finish in 2027.
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Emergency services responded to a small fire withinNintendo’s Kyoto-based development centeron August 15 at 1 PM JST. Employees at the scene were able to extinguish the small fire before it grew, according to the local police and fire department. The fire was contained and extinguished within a room on the third floor of the R&D center. Eight fire engines arrived at the scene to respond to the fire at Nintendo HQ.
The Kyoto police and fire department are currently investigating the cause of the fire at Nintendo HQ. Based on the conditions at the scene, first responders believe the fire was caused by an electronic device being charged in the third floor room. The fire came weeks after Nintendo outlined emergency plans for the Japanese HQ, which involves procedures during major earthquakes. Many ofNintendo’s operations are based in Kyoto, and employees must become familiar with these emergency plans.
Japan is experiencing a record summer season with severe heat upwards of 35 degrees Celsius, which is roughly 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer heat and dryness could be a factor for the electrical fire at Nintendo HQ. Fortunately, the fire was located within a small vicinity and Nintendo employees were not injured. Additionally, the quick response by employees ensured important resources at Nintendo HQ were not destroyed. Nintendo’s emergency plans likely include fire procedures and the location of fire extinguishers. Employees were able to respond to the fire quickly enough to extinguish it before the arrival of first responders due to the emergency protocol.
Nintendo should continue to place emphasis on the wellbeing of employees through plans of action. AlthoughNintendo is not releasing new hardware this year, employee wellness is key during the development of future hardware.
