Shigeru Miyamoto was born in the small rural town of Sonobe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. His childhood was filled with exploring the surrounding countryside, an experience that would later profoundly influence his game design philosophy. He was captivated by the forests, caves, and streams around his home, fueling his imagination and nurturing a sense of wonder that he would later translate into his games' worlds.

Miyamoto pursued a degree in industrial design, which provided him with a foundation in visual communication, product design, and understanding the human-computer interface. Although his initial aspirations were to become a manga artist, his design education proved invaluable in shaping his approach to creating interactive experiences and understanding how players interact with games.