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The Railway Museum

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Education | Avg price: ¥1310 | English Available: None (Unknown)

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  • TonetoEdo

    TonetoEdo

    on Mar 21

    Hands-on train exhibits and expriences

    Other reviews cover many highlights of this excellent railway museum in Omiya. I have a casual interest in trains, as do my visitors from abroad, but we were captivated by the quality of preservation and the accessibility of the exhibits. Not only can you board many of the carriages, but you can also operate the simulators - a mini train outdoors (for additional admission) and four different simulators inside the museum. The experience gives you new appreciation for the operation of the train lines. On my most recent visit, I opted to walk along the Railway Garden Promenade from Omiya Station. It's about a 12-15 minute walk from Omiya Station to the museum and is lined with retired locomotives, train cabs, and a railyard observation window. You can also splurge on a full experience with a combined ticket that covers a Tokyo Station to Omiya Station Shinkansen ticket, New Shuttle ticket, and museum admission. The combo is a 1000 yen discount.

  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Sep 2

    Cool place for train aficionados

    The Railway Museum in Saitama is a really cool spot to check out if you have train loving kiddos...or, quite frankly, if you're an adult who is a train fan. It's located in easy access to Omiya Station (under 10 minutes by cab or about 20 minutes on foot if you're feeling up to it), and there are so many zones to check out. There are areas dedicated to train history, parts showcasing train models, a kids play area, and plenty more. Super family-friendly if you're looking for an indoor activity on bad weather days. There's also an ekiben shop and a train themed restaurant there, so they do a great job of sticking to the theme even with the eateries. Pricier than some museums I've visited, but there's a ton to see and do and it's very well-maintained.

  • BigfamJapan

    BigfamJapan

    on Sep 22

    Biggest and best railway museum in Japan

    Apart from being an historical museum, the Railway Museum is also an educational and fun facility. It attracts visitors from near and afar. There is something for everyone and if you are visiting with children you would need at least a half day, ideally a full day, to explore everything they have to offer. A lot of people don't realise that there is an outdoor annex on one side and an outdoor playground on the other. Don't miss these attractions if you visit. The outdoor annex houses the theatre which plays Thomas the Tank Engine episodes. It is also the home to the library; a library of books about trains. They have a really good selection of English books. You can catch a mini-shinkansen down to the annex, which is included in the entry price to the museum. The main building has 3 floors of interactive exhibits, some are physical activities others are mentally challenging. There is a great play room on the 2nd floor with boxes of plarail and trains that you can use freely. It is beside a huge model railway exhibit, which you can view from one section of the play area. The main hall has dozens of trains that you can walk into and explore. There are a number of different shops and restaurants, you can even bring in your own bento and eat it there. I recommend using the viewing deck on the 3rd floor where you can see shinkansen flying by. On the roof there is an outdoor garden and another observation deck. The museum is very reasonably priced. If you plan to visit more than 3 times a year it is worth your while buying the annual pass. The parking is plentiful, but on weekends and public holidays it is not uncommon to have to queue to get in. It is charged by a daily rate. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm and closes on Tuesdays.

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Address

3 Chome Onaricho, Omiya Ward, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture

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