Tokyo Family Fun at Japan's Largest Railway Museum in Omiya

Japan's Largest Railway Museum

Omiya Railway Museum is Japan’s largest railway-themed museum and a must-visit family-friendly destination in Saitama. Spanning over 28,000 square meters across three floors, the museum is divided into five sections: Vehicles, History, Work, Science, and Future. Its massive scale means you can easily spend an entire day exploring, making it a railway-themed amusement park of sorts.

36 Retired Trains Spanning Over 100 Years

The highlight of the museum is undoubtedly the Vehicle Exhibition Hall, which displays 36 retired trains from various eras. Some of these trains date back over a century, including the Zenko-go from 1881 and the 181 Series electric train from 1965. Visitors can step inside these historical trains and experience what it was like to travel in different periods of Japanese history. A standout is the C57 135 Steam Locomotive, which toots its whistle and rotates on a turntable at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily—a must-see for train lovers!
 

Must-try experience: Shinkansen simulator driving!
 

Beyond the impressive collection of trains, the museum offers a wide range of interactive experiences. One of the top attractions is the Shinkansen driving simulator, where visitors can feel what it’s like to be in the driver's seat of Japan’s iconic bullet trains. There are also role-playing opportunities where children can don JR uniforms and experience what it’s like to work as a station master or conductor. Science zones dedicated to train operations and hands-on experiments add to the fun, making it an educational adventure for all.
 

For a small additional fee, visitors can also enjoy a 360-degree 3D theater screening special episodes of the popular anime Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion. Outdoors, the museum has a Railway Park for kids, featuring train-shaped slides, rocking chairs, and a mini train that kids will want to ride over and over again.

 Omiya Railway Museum Information:
- Address: 3-47 Onari-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama, Saitama 330-0852  
- Admission: Adults ¥1,330; Free for children under 3  
- Access: From Tokyo, take the JR Saikyo Line or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Ikebukuro Station to Omiya Station. Then transfer to the Saitama New Shuttle and get off at Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station (The Railway Museum Station). The total journey takes around 30 minutes, making it an easy day trip from Tokyo.