Take the Aonami Line from Nagoya Station to Kinjofuto Station, which is the terminal station. The journey takes 25 minutes and costs 360 yen. Trains run approximately every 15 minutes throughout the day. The museum is located just steps away from Kinjofuto Station at 3-2-2 Kinjofuto, Minato Ward. Note that the Aonami Line is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, so you'll need to purchase separate tickets.
Regular admission costs 1,200 yen for adults, 500 yen for school children, and 200 yen for children under 3 years. Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more people, reducing adult admission to 800 yen and school child admission to 400 yen per person. Simulator experiences require separate tickets that are sold on a first-come, first-served basis with one-time experience limits per visitor.
The museum features 39 full-size railway vehicles and one bus exhibit, showcasing the evolution of Japanese rail transport from steam locomotives to superconducting maglev trains. The highlight is the symbol display with three world record-holding trains: the Class C62 Steam Locomotive, Class 955 Experimental Shinkansen (300X), and MLX01-1 Superconducting Maglev. Interactive experiences include train cab simulators and Japan's largest railway diorama where you can observe detailed miniature railway operations.
Yes, the museum provides information in multiple languages including English. Many exhibits feature English descriptions alongside Japanese text, and the interactive displays are designed to be universally understandable. The hands-on simulators and visual exhibits make the experience accessible regardless of language proficiency, as the focus is on showcasing Japan's railway technology through physical displays and interactive experiences.
Plan to spend 3-4 hours at the museum to fully experience all exhibits and interactive displays. This allows time to explore the full-size vehicle collection, try the simulators (which may have waiting times), observe the detailed railway diorama, and learn about the historical progression of Japanese railway technology. If you're particularly interested in railways or traveling with children who enjoy the interactive elements, you may want to allocate additional time for a more leisurely visit.
Traveler reviews
What a fantastic experience for anyone interested in Japanese trains. The museum features many retired and historic trains on display, allowing visitors to see how railway technology has developed over the years. It was impressive to walk around and observe the different types of trains up close.
One of the highlights was the train simulator, which was truly amazing and very enjoyable. It gave a realistic feeling of operating a train and was fun for both adults and children. Another great feature is that visitors can actually step inside several train cars to see what they look like from the inside, including the driver’s cabin and passenger areas. This hands-on experience makes the visit educational and memorable.
SCMaglev Park is an absolute wonderland for families! It is incredibly kid-friendly and highly attractive to children of all ages, offering massive indoor spaces and hands-on experiences that keep them thoroughly engaged.
The interactive train simulators are a massive hit with the little ones. Just keep in mind that the popular Shinkansen Simulator requires booking in advance, while for the remaining simulators, you can just walk right in.
The museum features lots of real retired trains demonstrations that kids can see up close. They will love exploring historic models like the classic bullet train and the iconic Dr. yellow high-speed train.
Helpful Tips for Your Visit:
1. Beat the Crowds: There is virtually no wait during weekdays, making it the perfect time to explore at a relaxed pace.
2. Modern Facilities: The museum building itself is beautifully designed and spacious.
3. Don't Miss the Merch: Remember to reserve time to visit the souvenir shop before you head out, as it is packed with unique train-themed toys and memorabilia that kids will adore.
Have been to The Railway Museum in Omiya and while this is smaller, it was still very informative and educational! This focused more on the Tokaido line from conventional to the famous Shinkansen.
If you’re in Nagoya, and somehow have extra time after Legoland (or not into Lego but into trains haha), come here! Feel like it’s more quiet on weekdays than weekends, so keep that in mind.
The SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya is an impressive and extensive museum dedicated to Japan’s rich railway history and its cutting-edge train technology. The exhibits cover everything from historic locomotives and classic commuter trains to the latest Shinkansen (bullet train) models and even maglev technology. It’s a fascinating destination for both train enthusiasts and families alike.
When I visited, it happened to be the opening day of the recently retired “Yellow Doctor” Shinkansen, a special maintenance train that has become quite iconic in Japan. Because of this special event, the museum was especially crowded, with long lines and plenty of excited visitors eager to see the new exhibit. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere was lively and full of energy.
The museum’s layout is well-designed, allowing visitors to walk through real train cars, explore interactive exhibits, and even experience simulator rides that let you feel what it’s like to drive a Shinkansen. There are also educational displays explaining the engineering and safety systems behind Japan’s rail network, making it both fun and informative for all ages.
Overall, the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is a must-visit attraction in Nagoya for anyone interested in trains or Japanese technology.
Amazing railway heritage on display. Samples of the earliest Japanese trains imported from US, UK and Switzerland are on display, to the latest series of Shinkansen N700 rolling stock. The Maglev demonstration module - with a simulated train ride, and kid-friendly hands on stations to explain the physics of superconducting magnets and electromagnetic induction - was entertaining and informative.
There was also a bonus: near the food bar, there is a lecture theatre playing documentaties on repeat of the development of the original 1964 Shinkansen line and rolling stock, maintenance of the current trains, among others. The archival footage showed was rare, including videos of mothers and children visiting the public pitches by engineers to drum up support, and visits by World Bank officials.
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