Kyoto Railway Museum — Attraction in Kyoto

TICKETS: Available on line, but require a Japanese name (Kanji) or they are just too difficult to get. Doesn't take long to get tickets at the museum, so no worries.

ATTRACTIONS: Great trains!! You can walk through many of the older engines in the roundhouse, but the majority of the trains in the museum are off limits. There is a bit of English on the displays, so take Google Translate to understand what's going on.

The roundhouse has working trains, and there is a mechanic's shop on site where you can see them working on the trains.

FOOD OPTIONS: A few reviews talk about going down to the train cars and eating lunch at a train car.

You'll have to buy the lunch down there and they have five or six different selections.

Beware that these selections are not heated and there's no way to heat them, so you're eating a cold dish that was intended to be hot. Yuk!

Our dish looked good, but was absolutely horrible, cost 1,050 yen, and a total waste of money. Better to bring a picnic lunch, which is allowed.

So after our failed attempt at the Bento Train Lunch Car, we went to the Cafe, ordered through the machine, paid for our food, to find out the hot tea we ordered was iced. Not by mistake, but by their choice. They didn't have hot, so by default, we got cold, not a refund, but cold tea. Ugh!

Cafe food looked ok, but was very, very low grade. Tasted like katsup on spaghetti. Cafe is a waste of money, too. Don't expect much from either food option at the museum.

PARKING: There is convenient parking almost on site, just across the street to the north. Cost 800 yen for the first two hours, then 200 yen per hour after that.

Recommend as a 2-3 hour attraction, less time if...

I was fortunate enough to visit the Kyoto Railway Museum in May. This is the second railway museum I’ve been to in Japan. The first one was the enormous “Railway Museum“ in Saitama, if anyone has an interest in the trains of Japan, I certainly would recommend either one of these museums! In any case, the museum was fascinating with lots of Train cars—both indoors and outdoors. My only issue was I used Google maps to get there and took a bus. The bus stop dropped me off quite a distance from the actual museum and there was zero signage in English indicating which way “The Kyoto Railway Museum” was. (Also, as much as I’ve tried to use the Google walking maps, I always get lost trying to use them! Perhaps one day I’ll actually learn how to do it properly.) Fortunately, it was a very nice day, and I got to tour Umekoji Park all the way down to the Kyoto Aquarium. I finally was able to ask some high school kids, and they were able to escort me to the museum. If the museum had provided just one sign in English with directions, it would’ve been a great help!! My real recommendation is don’t take a car or a bus to a train museum! The best way to get there is to take a train, and in this case, the Umekoji-Kyotonishi train station is right across the plaza from the museum! It was a beautiful spring day during my visit, and there were lots of very young school kids, with great enthusiasm, touring the trains, as well! Also, I recommend going to the outdoor terrace upstairs at the museum, which overlooks the nearby rail lines, and with any luck you’ll see a passing Shinkansen train zoom by! Was really quite...

The Kyoto Railway Museum, located near Kyoto Station, is a must-visit destination for train enthusiasts and history buffs. Opened in 2016, it is one of Japan’s largest railway museums, showcasing the rich history and technological advancements of the country’s rail system. Spanning three floors, the museum features over 50 trains, ranging from early steam locomotives to modern Shinkansen bullet trains, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of rail travel in Japan.

The museum’s interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences make it engaging for visitors of all ages. The highlight for many is the Steam Locomotive Experience, where visitors can ride a real steam train and enjoy the nostalgic charm of classic rail travel. The diorama room, featuring an intricately detailed model railway, demonstrates the operations of a bustling train network, captivating children and adults alike.

One of the museum’s standout features is its focus on innovation and sustainability, including displays on modern rail technology and eco-friendly practices. Visitors can also explore the roundhouse, a registered Important Cultural Property, which houses historic locomotives.

Set against the scenic backdrop of the Hozugawa River, the Kyoto Railway Museum combines education, entertainment, and nostalgia, making it a unique destination that celebrates Japan’s...