If you’ve ever visited Japan, you will know that trains hold a special place in the hearts of its people. This passion is evident in the countless railway museums and preserved facilities dedicated to celebrating this beloved mode of transportation.
JR East, a major railway company in Japan, is no exception, boasting its own impressive railway museum located in the heart of Omiya (大宮) in Saitama, just north of Tokyo.
With Railway Day (14 October)(鉄道の日 Tetsudō-no-Hi) approaching soon, why not visit The Railway Museum (鉄道博物館)? We had the special honour of visiting The Railway Museum to speak to Ms. Yamanoi (山之井) and Ms. Sugita (杉田) from the East Japan Railway Culture Foundation team to learn more about The Railway Museum in Omiya.
Thank you for having us at The Railway Museum! Could you give us a crash course on the history behind The Railway Museum?
1921 (Taisho 10):The first ever Railway Museum (鉄道博物館) opens underneath the elevated tracks on the north side of Tokyo Station.
1936 (Showa 11):The Railway Museum was relocated to Manseibashi Station (万世橋駅) (Manseibashi Station is a former station on the Chuo Line which closed in 1943, located between Kanda Station and Ochanomizu Station in Tokyo.)
1946 (Showa 21): The Railway Museum was renamed to “The Transportation Culture Museum” (交通文化博物館).
1948 (Showa 23): The museum was renamed to “The Transportation Museum” (交通博物館).
2006 (Heisei 18): Closed for relocation.
2007 (Heisei 19): The Railway Museum reopens at its current location in Omiya, Saitama.
The Railway Museum opened in Omiya on Railway Day on 14 October 2007 as the centrepiece of the JR East 20th Anniversary Memorial Project.
In July 2018, the new South Building of the museum was opened and the permanent exhibits in the main building were entirely renovated. With this renewal, the museum was divided into five stations—Rolling Stock Station, History Station, Job Station, Science Station, and Future Station—reborn into a space that unfolds the rich history of railways and those involved from various perspectives.
The “Rolling Stock Station” is the largest exhibit space in The Railway Museum, boasting a display of 36 rolling stock or railway vehicles, from the first ever steam locomotive train that ran when Japan’s railways first started, to the first “Series 0” Shinkansen.
Here, you can experience the scale of these railway cars firsthand and imagine what it was like to travel with them in their era with your five senses.
History buffs would find the “History Station” most interesting, as this exhibition showcases the history of Japan’s railway over the past 150 years through historical artefacts and photographs.
You are right, all of the stations are very interesting, especially The Rolling Stock, which leaves a lasting impression on even seasoned visitors. The Railway Museum also offers interactive hands-on experiences, right?
Yes, we have a handful of simulators in which visitors can experience for a small fee, of which the E5 Simulator and D51 Simulator are the most popular!
Experience the thrill of driving the Series E5 Shinkansen at a maximum speed of 320km/h! The E5 Simulator features a large curved screen that projects real-life footage from a driver’s point of view, and visitors will get to sit on a full-scale replica of the driver’s seat. This setup provides an immersive experience, making you feel like you’re actually operating the Shinkansen!
Another popular experience is the D51 simulator. A steam locomotive is usually operated by two people, an engineer and an assistant engineer, who would create steam and adjust the steam pressure to suit the route conditions. The D51 simulator allows you to try your hands on this operating procedure and gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and skills involved in steam locomotive operation, and how it differs from driving a train.
If you have always wanted to experience what it’s like being a train driver, our train simulators are the best way to do so!
*The E5 simulator is for elementary school students and above, and the D51 simulator is for junior high school students and above. For a chance to experience these Simulators, visitors will have to sign up for them on the “The Railway Museum Raffle App” where winners will be selected by raffle.
Must-see events at The Railway Museum
Are there also any events held at The Railway Museum?
Among the daily events, the “Turntable Rotation and Whistle Blowing Demonstration” and the “Railway Diorama Commentary Program” are popular.
Turntable Rotation and Whistle Blowing Demonstration
Located as the centrepiece at the first floor of the “Rolling Stock Station”, the large turntable starts rotating with a powerful whistle, accompanied by a commentator who provides an explanation.
Visitors can look forward to listening to the authentic sound of the whistle that was used when the trains were in operation while gaining insights about the trains’s characteristics and fascinating life stories, from their time in service up until their arrival at The Railway Museum.
Feast your eyes on the massive HO gauge model railway with a total track length of approximately 1,200m and a fleet chosen from around 1,700 train models (scaled at 1/87 size for Shinkansen and 1/80 size for local trains).
The diorama has been recreated with precision, including the realistic reproduction of railway facilities. Visitors can enjoy an up-close view and sound of one of Japan’s largest railway dioramas.
In addition to these daily events, we offer a variety of other events that change depending on the day or are limited-time only. Please visit the official website of The Railway Museum for more information.
Railway-related activities around The Railway Museum
Wow, looks like people can really spend the whole day at The Railway Museum! Are there any other fun spots around The Railway Museum for fellow railway fans?
Did you know that Omiya Station is served by five Shinkansen lines—Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata, Joetsu, and Hokuriku?
In fact, in Omiya Station, there is a “Shinkansen Viewing Area” on platforms 15 and 16 where you can safely observe these high-speed trains.
Although there are relatively few trains on this platform, there are helpful signs indicating what time and what type of shinkansen you can see. Plus, there is a constant stream of shinkansen arriving and departing from the neighbouring platforms 14 and 17, making for a great sight.
Additionally, the New Shuttle, which connects Omiya Station to The Railway Museum via the Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station (鉄道博物館駅), is an innovative train that runs on tires using a new transportation system. Enjoy a unique railway experience with a different mode of operation.
Furthermore, if you walk from Omiya Station to the Railway Museum, you’ll pass by the JR East Omiya General Rolling Stock Center, where trains are maintained. On the wall separating the Rolling Stock Center from the pedestrian walkway, you’ll find informative panels about trains. There’s even a steam locomotive on display that was actually manufactured there, adding to the excitement of your journey to the museum.
All this and more is why Omiya gained its nickname as “Railway Town” (鉄道のまち大宮)!
Of course, there is also a TRAINIART souvenir shop at The Railway Museum where visitors can buy their favourite train memorabilia at the end of their visit, including limited edition merchandise that are only sold at The Railway Museum!
Thank you so much for sharing! Lastly, do you have any parting messages to our readers?
We have a special message from the Director of The Railway Museum, Mr. Oba (大場館長): The Railway Museum showcases the history of Japanese railways and 42 railway cars, also has simulators for the E5 Series Shinkansen and others, allowing both children and adults to enjoy learning about how railways work.
For a more holistic experience, free Japanese and English audio guides are also available on your smartphones, and the Japanese version uses narrations by our museum staff members!
Please visit The Railway Museum!
The Railway Museum (鉄道博物館) Address: 3-47 Onari-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama-shi, Saitama, 330-0852 Access: From JR Omiya Station (大宮駅), take the New Shuttle train and alight at the next stop at Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station (鉄道博物館駅). The museum is just a 1-minute walk, directly connected to the station. For the most updated information on opening hours and entry fees, please refer to the official website.
Discover the joy of Japan’s railways with JAPAN RAIL CLUB this October 2024! Subscribe to our “Treats on Tracks” Omiyage Snack Box and receive a rail-ly exciting assortment of rail-themed snacks, as well as freebies from JR Omiya Branch Office.
Sue Lynn
Currently based in Tokyo, Sue Lynn first came to Japan as a university exchange student. With 6 years of experience in Japan’s inbound tourism, she is familiar with Japan, particularly on rail passes and East Japan spots, and has a passion for travelling. Some of her favourite places in Japan include Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture and Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture.
Sue is also passionate about Japan’s thrifting culture, and is keen to uncover more anaba hidden gems while visiting all 47 prefectures during her stay in Japan. Sue’s 5Cs are cats, cameras, cinema, (vintage) Coach bags, and city pop. Ask her about how her favourite JR Pass (JR TOKYO Wide Pass) saved her life (and wallet).
