Railway Museum
| The Good | The Not-So Good |
| Unique, cultural attraction | Limited other attractions nearby |
| Close to Tokyo | Limited English |
For those interested in transportation and engineering, a visit to the nearby Railway Museum in Tokyo is a must-see. The museum offers a comprehensive look into the history of rail travel in Japan, featuring a diverse collection of train cars, locomotives, and rail equipment, many of which are on display and available for exploration. From early steam engines to high-speed bullet trains, the museum showcases the evolution of railway technology and its impact on Japanese society.
In addition to its exhibits, the Railway Museum offers interactive displays, simulation rides, and educational activities, making it a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. With its rich history and hands-on approach, the museum provides a unique opportunity to understand the significance of the railway in shaping modern Japan and beyond.
Cannot purchase tickets at the museum!
Due to the COVID pandemic, you cannot purchase tickets at the museum. Tickets must be purchases in advance from a convenience store and there is no English option. Your best bet is to hope one of the clerks is foreign and speaks some English (a sure bet when in Tokyo nowadays). Also, all of the unique hands-on experiences must be applied for using the Railway Museum app, with a lottery system used to give out tickets. Most of this procedure is explained on the official homepage. The app also has English information on the exhibits so it a must download anyway.
Getting to the Railway Museum
The Railway Museum has its own little station that is one stop from Omiya Station, a short shuttle ride on the Saitama New Shuttle. This is a quaint little shuttle service attached to the Shinkansen line for a few kilometers offering a train service (of sorts) to a populated area to the north of Omiya City center. It is run by JR so the JR pass is valid.
Combining the Bonsai Museum with the Railway Museum
The nearby Bonsai Museum is the only other attraction nearby and it well worth combining into a single day. The Bonsai Museum closes at 4PM so it may be worth visiting in the morning and going to the Railway Museum in the afternoon. The plan below assumes the opposite.
- Tokyo -> Railway Museum: Depart from Tokyo Station and arrive at the Railway Museum Station about 40-50 minutes later. You can take the Shinkansen or local express trains, depending on if you hold a JR pass. The museum opens at 10AM.
- Walk to the Bonsai Museum (30 minutes) after having lunch around the Railway Museum (there is nothing to eat around the Bonsai Museum. You can also take a taxi.
- Visit the Bonsai Museum and afterwards walk around the Bonsai Village.
- Head back to Toro Station and then back to Tokyo. There are plenty of options for trains back from Toro Station to Tokyo or Shinjuku, but you may have to change at Omiya Station.
Things to do nearby
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