The Railway Museum

A large museum with plenty of attractions for both kids and adults. There are dedicated areas where you can eat your own food, including a train car where visitors can sit and enjoy their meals. On the fourth floor, there’s a restaurant with a great view. The museum features a vast collection of trains and models. Unfortunately, most of the descriptions are available only in Japanese.

We visited the museum on a Saturday in November 2024. For train enthusiasts, this place is incredibly exciting; however, we believe that even non-enthusiasts will be in awe of it as well. This place is amazing! There are several exhibitions stretching from the train station to the entrance of the museum. If I remember correctly, there are about four to five ticket machines outside. We paid in cash, and at that time, the ticket price was ¥1600 per adult. Surprisingly, there was no queue since we arrived around 11 am, and the morning crowd had mostly entered by then. The exhibition features a huge hall displaying various models and types of trains used throughout history. We walked around several times to appreciate each train on display. You can even enter some of the trains to experience what the cabin feels like inside. The different designs of the trains and their cabins can be appreciated by anyone, not just dedicated train enthusiasts. It's also a fun place for kids; the displays are not only grand but also quite engaging. The second floor of the exhibition houses a restaurant and presents a chronological timeline of the different types of trains, including those that are still in existence and those coming in the future, complete with detailed miniature models. In another building, there are several simulators where visitors can experience what it's like to be a train conductor. It's surprisingly realistic. Overall, I can confidently say that this museum is worth the visit. It offers not only a stunning perspective on design but also a deep appreciation for engineering and technology. Over the years, advancements in engineering and technology, combined with innovative design, have made significant contributions to the history of trains.

Oh my goodness where do I begin...Rail runs through my veins like blood so this place is pretty much heaven...all the displays are amazing and there's so many trains from so many different eras! And so many carriages that you can enter! The most amazing part was the multiple displays in which a full platform as been rebuilt...signs, maps, clocks and time-tables all on display on a platform in amazing condition, as if it's been lifted straight from their original era. Even if I've never had the feeling, I really could close my eyes and feel like I was standing there on a 1960s or 1970s rail platform...the experience is unbeatable. I would come back 1 million times if I could! I would never get tired of this amazing museum!!

For anyone who loves trains, this museum is a real treat. It dives deep into the history of Japanese railways and highlights both old and modern trains. It’s a journey through time that’s well worth taking!