Tsuyama Manabi Railway Museum

The Tsuyama Manabino Railway Museum opened in 2016 in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, occupying the site of the former Tsuyama Engine Depot. This facility preserves an important chapter of Japan's railway heritage, showcasing the region's significance as a major railway junction during the steam locomotive era. The museum's centerpiece is its second-largest turntable in Japan, measuring 17 meters in diameter, which once served the bustling depot that maintained locomotives traveling through the Chugoku region.

The museum houses an impressive collection of historic railway vehicles, including steam locomotives, diesel engines, and vintage passenger cars that operated from the Meiji period through the modern era. The fan-shaped engine house has been meticulously preserved, allowing visitors to see locomotives positioned around the operational turntable just as they would have been during active service. This authentic setting provides rare insight into railway maintenance operations from Japan's industrial age. The collection includes the D51 steam locomotive, one of Japan's most iconic engine types, alongside other significant models that represent different technological periods in Japanese rail history.

Visitors can explore the interiors of several preserved trains, examine railway equipment and tools, and watch the turntable rotate during scheduled demonstrations. The museum features interactive exhibits explaining railway technology and the daily operations of engine depots. A viewing platform offers comprehensive views of the entire turntable complex, while informational displays provide context about Tsuyama's role in connecting major cities across western Japan. The facility also includes a small gift shop selling railway-themed merchandise and local products.

The museum is located approximately 15 minutes on foot from Tsuyama Station, which is accessible via the JR Tsuyama Line from Okayama Station in about 70 minutes. From major cities, travelers typically connect through Okayama, which has shinkansen service from Tokyo, Osaka, and other metropolitan areas. General admission costs 310 yen for adults and 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students, with children under six entering free. The museum's compact size makes it suitable for a 90-minute to two-hour visit, easily combined with exploring Tsuyama's castle ruins and historic samurai district in the same day.