Railway Museum 鉄道博物館

Japan is a nation connected by rail, and the Railway Museum is a celebration of the country's rich train culture. Not only is the museum filled with both models and actual trains, but also interactive displays covering both the history and technology of rail travel, providing a fascinating look into all things railroad related.

The Railway Museum overlooks Tetsudo Hakubutsukan Station which connects to Omiya Station via the New Shuttle service.

Several commuter lines run from Tokyo Station to Omiya Station (about 30 minutes), including the JR Takasaki and JR Utsunomiya lines. While the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line also services Omiya Station, this journey takes double the time.

From Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro stations, reach Omiya Station via the Shonan Shinjuku and Saikyo lines in roughly 40 minutes.

An unforgettable experience for kids and adults, the Railway Museum is the perfect place to get up close and personal with trains and learn all there is to know about the country's railways, and is one of the largest in Japan. A massive 28,000-square meter facility, there are three floors with five different zones to explore.

See railroad cars from throughout Japan's history, including old steam trains, freight cars, passenger cars, and the world's first bullet train. Venture inside some of these train cars and view others from underneath to see how they work.

One top-rated attraction is the museum's railway diorama located on the second floor of the main building, sure to thrill any model train enthusiast. It's one of Japan's biggest train dioramas at about 23 meters wide and 10 meters long. As the diorama is not enclosed, so you can enjoy the realistic scene. The diorama was renovated and unveiled in the summer of 2017.

On the ground floor of the South Wing, you will find exhibits about the railway system and what it is like to work on the railway. There you can learn about railway duties and try them out for yourself.

On the first floor there is a practical and educational attraction covering all aspects of how trains work. The simulators allow visitors to experience what it is like to ride a real train. The most popular is the realistic steam locomotive simulator on the ground floor of the main building.

Additionally, there are video booths, artifacts such as old signs and uniforms, and books about the science and history of trains. The second floor boasts Japan's largest HO scale model display.

A gift shop, gallery and the Teppaku Reading Room are in a recently remodeled wing. The North Wing features a play area for kids as well as an outdoor playground called Teppaku Hiroba.

Managed by JR East, the museum was opened in 2007 to commemorate Japan Railways' 20 years as a private company. No matter when you visit there will be something new to discover