What other travelers are saying about Kyoto Railway Museum
Kyoto Railway Museum was excellent! So well designed and set up. It had so many interesting exhibits that were very entertaining for our kids.
There were so many different parts of trains that had interactive components to them that the family could ‘play’ with and understand how different trains work.
There were also many types of trains to see and history of the trains in Kyoto and Japan.
There were plenty of facilities and a model train show too!
Overall an excellent experience.
10/10 this place is a must visit if you are traveling with kids. All ages will enjoy and have the best time at this museum.
They have a show with miniature trains very well made in the 3rd floor. You have to make sure you check the times and be there 10-15 min before to be able to get a sit because they won’t let you stand around.
Also there is a restaurant on the 3rd floor. We couldn’t try the food because they close at 3 pm 😭 I suggest they stay open at least until 4 pm since they close the whole museum at 5pm and they should mention it in the entrance, because there is a small cafe on the first floor but a lot of the meal sets were sold out and if you want full meal the restaurant should be a good place for it. We’ll have to check it out next time.
Absolutely phenomenal experience! I recently visited the train museum with my family and was blown away by the vast array of exhibits and activities. The collection of trains was stunning, and the roundhouse was a highlight. I loved the interactive elements, such as driving train models. There was also an option of riding a steam engine!
The restaurant with its panoramic view of the entire train station was a lovely touch, offering a unique perspective on the railway heritage. The exhibits on the history of trains, railway crossings, and steam engines were fascinating, with impressive historical items on display.
The attention to detail and variety of experiences made this visit truly unforgettable. This museum has something for everyone. 5/5 stars – I'm already planning my next visit.
One of the best museums in Japan.
Expect a lot of children. The whole museum is playful, you learn a lot from the different eras of Japan Railway system.
The main floor is large and displays many trains from the 1890s to nowadays.
I would suggest to go to the second floor to see the train demonstration. It lasts around 15 minutes.
Don’t forget to collect the stamps, disseminated around the two floors.
On a round tour we had some free time. I had seen a lot of temples and shrines. So i wanted something else. I choose the railway museum. It was great. I might have expected a little more trains. But overall i had fun.
Yes, the museum offers a train driving simulator miming the experience of driving a train. Visitors can practice using the simulator and wear a train driver's cap.
Indeed, the museum features several interactive activities, including a working model train set that visitors can control as it runs around a diorama and the aforementioned train-driving simulator.
The museum showcases a vast range of Japan's railway history, from the earliest days of steam locomotion to the high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. Notable exhibits include the first Shinkansen (the 0 series from 1964) and the 500 series, the fastest train in the world in 1996. There's also a working railroad crossing among the exhibits.
The museum has family-friendly amenities, including a nursery with changing baby tables. There are also lockers for baggage storage available on the first floor.
The museum is located west of Kyoto Station at the far end of Umekoji Park. It can be reached by a 20-minute walk from the north central exit of Kyoto Station or by taking buses 86 or 88 or rapid buses 103, 104, and 110 from Stand B3 in the bus terminal on the north side of Kyoto Station, which go directly to the Umekoji-koen/Kyoto Railway Museum-mae bus stop.
