Kyoto Railway Museum

The Kyoto Railway Museum (京都鉄道博物館, Kyōto Tetsudō Hakubutsukan) offers an exciting and educational journey through Japan’s rich railway heritage, ideal for visitors of all ages. Spanning three floors and covering 30,000 square meters, the museum features over 50 authentic trains, ranging from classic steam locomotives to sleek modern shinkansen bullet trains. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits such as a train-driving simulator, stroll beneath a retired freight train, and marvel at one of Japan’s largest railway dioramas, showcasing intricately detailed model trains. Both children and adults will enjoy the hands-on train conductor experience, while the museum’s second-floor restaurant and observation deck offer panoramic views of real trains speeding along nearby tracks.

Adjacent to the main exhibition hall is a rare 1914 roundhouse, home to Japan’s largest collection of steam locomotives. Through large viewing windows, visitors can watch authentic maintenance work in progress and, for just 300 yen, take a thrilling ride on a functioning steam train. At the museum’s exit, the historic Nijo Station Building welcomes guests—a beautifully preserved wooden structure originally built in 1904 and relocated here in 1997. As Japan’s oldest wooden station building, it offers a charming glimpse into the early days of the country’s railway history and adds a nostalgic touch to the overall museum experience.