The Railway Museum in Omiya, Saitama
For train enthusiasts, in your Japan holiday, visiting The Railway Museum is a must, where you can learn about the history of the railway in Japan and even experience riding a shinkansen train in a simulator.
The Facilities
The history
② Science Station
It is a corner where visitors can enjoy various of Japan train carriages from the old to the new, with 36 carriages on the first floor, and there is an introduction to the transition of train carriage display on the second floor.
① Rolling Stock Station
The Railway Museum opened in October 2007 in Omiya, in Saitama prefecture as the centerpiece of JR East's 20th Anniversary Commemoration Project. In July 2018, the museum opened its south wing.
This museum now consists of 5 different stations: The Rolling Stock Station, Science Station, Job Station, Future Station, and the History Station. Apart from being able to enjoy historical dioramas of Japanese railways, visitors can also experience of driving various types of trains, from ordinary trains to shinkansen trains (there are different ways to get the tickets, by reservation or by lottery on the spot).
③ Job Station
At the Science Station, visitors can discover interesting things about the railway, and can even try out some of the equipment.
At Job Station visitors can find out how railway professionals work as a team to keep passengers safe and trains running on time.
④ Future Station
At Future Station, visitors have the opportunity to imagine the future of the railway. Visitors can create an avatar and travel to the future railway world!
⑤ History Station
Historically, the first railway in Japan started operating in 1872. In this space, the museum highlights the history of nearly 150 years from the start of operations to the present day. The historical materials and photographs on display here explain the process of how the railway evolved in great detail.
How to go to The Railway Museum from Tokyo
From Tokyo station, The Railway Museum can be reached in 45 minutes to 1 hour (depending on train type). The nearest station is Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Station, which is a one-minute walk to the museum when you get off. From Tokyo, head to Omiya (Saitama) station, and change to the line called "New Shuttle" in the direction of Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Station.
How to buy the tickets of The Railway Museum
Entrance tickets can be purchased online, and even visitors from outside Japan can access it to reserve tickets. For further information, please visit the following website:
The Railway Museum
Address: 3 Chome-４７ Onaricho, Omiya Ward, Saitama, 330-0852
Opening hours 10:00～17:00
Closed: Every Tuesday, New Year's holiday
