This was a classy,well designed and planned train museum. Time needed is about 2 hours maybe more with young children. Content is aimed at both adults and children with many original rolling stone and full size Shinkansen’s. A huge model train layout was a highlight especially for younger children. Even though the museum information is in Japanese there is a Michele app to download is multiple languages. Well worth the 1hr train travel from downtown Tokyo.
Very fun place for the whole family. The actual trains themselves are a bit underwhelming. You can’t go anywhere besides the seating area in most trains. Some aren’t even open to walk through. Besides the main exhibits, the museum has a great kids area with mini trains you can all sit in while they drive! There is also a mini Shinkansen to ride. They also have train simulators to check. Overall, a vast museum with many different experiences to offer!
If you are a railway enthusiast, this museum is definitely worth a visit. It’s truly an exceptional railway museum. It provides detailed information about the trains that have been used and are currently in service in Japan, as well as an in-depth introduction to the history of Japanese railways. It’s absolutely a trip worth taking.
A place that is very convenient as it is directly connected to Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan eki (The Railway Museum Station) via the New Shuttle line. One can board the New Shuttle from Omiya Station and ride one stop to reach the Railway Museum. However, take note that the estimated waiting time for a new shuttle train can be between 10 minutes and 15 minutes. Hence, booking tickets and planning the trip in advance can help one to save time and maximise the experience at the train museum.
Once you reach the train museum station, you will be greeted by displays related to train models, history and even train timetables! A 1 to 3 minute direct walk (connected to the station) will lead you to the entrance of the museum.
The moment you step foot into the museum, you will be amazed by the history of Japanese trains, their design, their description, their service coverage etc. "Go back to the past" as you relax in the train and take photos as memories! There is a train simulator at the entrance of the museum but only lucky winners from the train museum app (hence planning in advance again) will get to experience driving a simulated train ride.
Before you leave the museum, be amazed by the wide selection of gifts and souvenirs related to Japan railway for your friends, children and loved ones! From railway toys, diecast models, railways merchandise to railway confectionaries, there is surely something for everyone visiting this museum!
Will definitely recommend this place for avid transport (train in particular) enthusiasts, families with kids as well as tourists who love to learn more about Japan railway! However, for tourists visiting the Railway Museum, do prepare for translation services (google translate or any translation apps) as there might be staff who only communicate in Japanese.
Overall, a great place to spend half a day in Japan/Tokyo Saitama!
Ah, The Railway Museum in Ōmiya. It was just as cool and interesting as we expected it to be - and more!
I recommend to come here early so you don’t have to rush through all the exhibitions, because you certainly will spend hours in this place. You will be able to see many historical trains and have possibility to enter inside to see how the interior is, and everything is very well preserved.
The museum offers different places to grab a snack or have a full meal.
We went on a public holiday (Sports Day) so it was relatively crowded, but not too much. Make sure to download the app called «The railway museum raffle app» and use it while you are in the museum to be able to win chances of trying activities like simulators and miniature trains outside. I also highly recommend checking out areas in the museum such as the rooftop terrace above the «Future Station» and the railway diorama in the second floor.
