Zelda’s Legendary Master Sword Arrives at Nintendo Museum for New 40th Anniversary Display
Image by James RichardsonNintendo has officially opened a new photo spot inspired by The Legend of Zelda’s Master Sword, giving fans the opportunity to visit one of the series’ most iconic locations as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.
The limited-time installation at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto recreates the legendary sword embedded in its pedestal, surrounded by a setting reminiscent of the Temple of Time from 1998’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
The Nintendo Museum is located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, and first opened in October 2024, allowing visitors to explore Nintendo’s history through displays of its consoles, games, and other products alongside interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences.
The Master Sword has been central to The Legend of Zelda since its introduction in 1991’s A Link to the Past, becoming Link’s signature weapon in numerous adventures across the series.
Its appearance in Ocarina of Time is especially memorable, with young Link discovering the sword inside the Temple of Time before drawing it from its pedestal and setting in motion the events that transform him into an adult.
Nintendo’s new photo spot draws on that imagery, placing the Master Sword upright in its pedestal beneath a spotlight, with the surrounding structure giving the display the appearance of a shrine dedicated to the legendary blade.
Visitors can find the installation immediately to the left when facing the museum’s BONUS STAGE shop, where it has been positioned as a temporary addition to the existing attractions.
The Nintendo Museum has created similar opportunities for fans before, including a Super Mario Bros. 40th anniversary photo spot that recreated the original game’s iconic Goal Pole and pixel-art castle, complete with Mario sliding down the pole.
The new Zelda display is accompanied by several other additions marking the franchise’s 40th anniversary, including a special history board located near the first exhibition building’s main display area.
Visitors can use the Nintendo Today! smartphone app to scan illustrations from different Zelda games, revisiting scenes and music from the series while seeing how old they were when each title originally launched.
The museum has also introduced special 40th anniversary admission tickets featuring Zelda artwork, which visitors can select instead of the usual design featuring their personal Mii.
A separate evening lighting display will illuminate the museum between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM during the anniversary celebrations, giving ticket holders another attraction to experience before leaving.
The museum additions arrive during a major anniversary year for The Legend of Zelda, with Nintendo also preparing a worldwide 40th anniversary concert tour featuring orchestral performances across Japan, North America, Europe and Australia in 2027.
Image by James RichardsonThe Master Sword is also available in a more elaborate form through Bandai’s official PROPLICA replica, a 105 cm-long recreation featuring music, sound effects and vibration functions that is scheduled for re-release in April 2027.
Alongside the new photo spot, Nintendo has released the “Nintendo Museum Official Book Vol. 02,” a 60-page, full-color publication featuring a special look at Zelda’s 40th anniversary and highlights from the museum.
The book is available in Japanese and English for ¥1,980 (approximately $13 / £9) and is sold exclusively at the museum’s Art Gallery on the second floor of Exhibition Building 1, with cashless payment required.
The new Master Sword photo spot officially opened at the Nintendo Museum on November 5, 2026, and will remain available for a limited period, although Nintendo has not yet confirmed its closing date.
The separate 40th anniversary lighting display will continue until May 5, 2027, with admission to the museum requiring tickets booked in advance through Nintendo’s official reservation system.
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