In January of 2006, built with personal donations from Nintendo ex-President Hiroshi Yamauchi , Shigureden, a museum honoring the legendary Ogura Hyakunin Isshu card game, opened to the public in Kyoto, Japan.

What sets Shigureden museum apart from other destinations in a city that oozes Japanese history, is the seemless fusion of old Japan tradition with new Japan technology. Mr. Mario himself (Shigeru Miyamoto) oversaw the technological development of the museum exhibits. In one exhibit room, a giant LCD aerial map of Kyoto is set into the floor. With a 'buttonless' DS equipped with ShigureNavi (short for Shigureden Navigator) one can navigate over Kyoto. Watch as this visitor is guided by a yellow NintenBird to Nijojo Castle and then Shigureden.

Also, throughout the museum there are interactive Hyakunin Isshu displays where one can test his/her knowledge and skill of the traditional card game often enjoyed at home by families during the Oshougatsu (New Years) celebration. Here are some useful links to learn more about the history of the card game that every Nintendo fearin', tax payin' Japanese citizen owns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyakunin_Isshu
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Hyakunin_Isshu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uta-garuta

Now, with the release of DS Shigureden, Nintendo has brought the Museum experience to your DS, so to speak. Card game AND aerial tour guide 'exhibits' are both included. Other reasons to own this game? If you ever plan on visiting Japan for an extended period, knowledge of this game could be extremely impressive to your hosts. Act as as if you've never heard of the game and maybe let them just barely win the first game to not arouse suspissions. Then, 'bring it' in the second game and rock the Japanese Hyakunin Isshu foundations. Imagine the satisfaction of winning an ancient card game that's, well, not too gaijin friendly.

At the Hyakunin Isshu launch event, legendary Hyakunin Isshu player, Riki Bobisan was overheard comparing his excitement of the DS release to being jacked up on Mountain Dew while being chased by a wild pack of Arashiyama Spider Monkeys. That pretty much sums up Pink Godzilla's impression too. Here's some YouTube footage of the game in action. What's your take?

Did you know:
That Nintendo still makes card games including a 'hard' version of Hyakunin Isshu?
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n09/index.html

Other useful links for info on DS Shigureden:
Shigureden Museum HP
DS Shigureden HP
Kotaku's recap of visit to Shigureden.