Visitors can ride a steam train here and really feel the charm of old-school railways.
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Kyoto Railway museum
Japan’s largest railway museum with 53 railway cars on display. From a steam locomotive to shinkansen, you can see, touch and put your hands on.
4.03
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Since the opening of Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in 1972, it had been dubbed SL’s mecca. Then, it was remodeled into the Kyoto Railway Museum in 2016. Under their fundamental concept, “the hub of railway culture that progresses with its community,” you can learn railway history, safety and technology through amazing hands-on experience.
On the 1st floor, 53 railway cars, including the SL inherited from Umekoji SL Museum, are on display, along with C62 style SL that pulled super-express trains during the National Railways era, the first Shinkansen, 0-model, and 500-model Shinkansen that recorded 300km/h in operation and renewed the Guinness Book record.
On the 2nd floor of the Main Hall, there is a large railway diorama, 30m-wide and 10m-long. An engineer runs the 1/80-scale railway model. The townscape and rail yard are precisely recreated, where you can enjoy watching the model run and learn about the railway operating system. On this floor, there are corners for trying out ATS that engineers use in their training and ATC, the safety mechanism.
Make sure to see the fan-shaped service shed outdoors. This unique Roundhouse Platform displays a total of 20 SLs in motion, which excites all visitors. Everyone’s favorite since the time of the Umekoji era has been riding on the SL “Steam”, which is still running to this day. The ticket has an assigned time. Check your schedule and purchase ahead of time.
Highlights
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Total of 53 real train cars from SL to Shinkansen.
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Realistic railway diorama shows how the railway operates.
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Operation simulator used in the actual engineer training.
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Fan-shaped service shed hosts 20 SLs in all.
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Riding on the SL “Steam” has been everyone’s favorite.
Photos
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Many familiar trains are on display
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Realistic railway diorama
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Operation simulator
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Roundhouse Platform housing 20 SLs in all
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You can ride on SL Steam
Reviews
3
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This place introduces the origins and history of Japanese railways. There are lots of early steam locomotives on display, and you can try out many hands-on exhibits yourself.
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There are tons of antique trains here. The collection is impressive, and the explanations are detailed and interesting. You can even watch how trains are managed at Kyoto Station.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 京都鉄道博物館
- Postal Code
- 600-8835
- Address
- 4 Kankijicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
- Telephone
- 0570-082-462 (Navi-dial)
- Closed
- Wednesdays (if fall on holidays, spring/summer breaks, it is open), the year-end and New Year’s Day
- Hours
- 10:00am - 5:00pm (Admission allowed until 4:30pm)
- Admission
- Entrance 1,500 yen, Riding SL Steam 300 yen
- Directions
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1) From JR Sagano Line, Umekoji Kyoto Nishi Station, walk 2 min.
2) From JR Kyoto Line, Nishioji Station, walk 15 min.
3) From the other lines’ Kyoto Station, walk 20 min.
4) From the other lines’ Kyoto Station, ride Kyoto City Bus Express 104, Express 108, Routes 86 or 88, get off at Umekoji Park/Kyoto Railway Museum mae, and walk a short distance. - Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (English)