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Kyoto Railway Museum
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Kyoto Railway Museum

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See all things to do
Kyoto Railway Museum
4.5
704 reviews
#12 of 1,987 things to do in Kyoto
Speciality Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Shimogyo-ku
Shimogyo-ku is centered around the busy train hub, Kyoto Station. A nexus for commerce, shopping, dining, and hotels, the Shimogyo-ku area is infused with tourists and local business travelers, making it a competitive location for ever-new commercial structures. The shops and cafes here are chic and trendy, as a result, with many recognizable chains. Commuters flood the Shimogyo-ku area twice a day, and with Kyoto Station itself being a modern mega-complex and an architectural marvel, this neighborhood is one of the most contemporary and energetic areas that the city has to offer. Buildings here look futuristic, and huge department stores, shopping arcades, and public meeting spaces provide every possible convenience. It is also nearly the only place in Kyoto where rooftop dining and socializing is available, completing its modern tone.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
704 reviews
Excellent
414
Very good
220
Average
48
Poor
10
Terrible
12
CanuckJames
Nishinomiya, Japan1,229 contributions
Great experience
Apr 2022
Japan has three major railway museums. Nagoya highlights Shinkansen, Saitama does a good job with history. This museum really emphasizes how a train and steam engines work. They break down the train into its components and explain each part in detail. Including things like how the ticket machines work.

Located across the parking lot from the Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station. Easily accessible from Kyoto Station. This used to be the steam locomotive museum until it merged with the Osaka Railway Museum a few years ago and was rebranded as the Kyoto Railway Museum.

On the same property, there is an actual train roundhouse, full of different model trains that you can go inside.

There is an actual working steam locomotive for an extra 300 yen, you can ride for about 10 minutes. You are warned, that if the winds are right, you will get a mouthful of soot.

The actual main building has representations for all the major types of trains currently running, including the bullet train but the cool bits are at the back of the building where each component is broken down and displayed with working models. The electrical guides, the wheels, the engine design, and the power couplings. You can wander through the cab and even push the emergency stop button.

The 2F has a huge train diorama with shows. This is worth watching. There are many activities for children on this floor. An interesting activity that seemed popular for children was the train conductor simulator. There are also historical exhibits on this floor.

If there is a complaint to make about this museum is the relative lack of food options. There is a restaurant on the 2F, today the lineup was so long it was discouraging. There is a bento kiosk at the beginning of the tour near the entryway but they also were running out of food by 12:30 pm. There should be another option. Lots of vending machines.

Because this is a JR-sponsored facility, they ONLY accept CASH or the ICOCA card as payment. Credit cards or other forms of cashless payments are not available.

If you are a train buff, you need to go. If you are even a little interested in trains, it's worth coming. Well designed for children. Your kids will love this place.

As an older adult, I loved it.
Written April 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lukumay m
Romania12 contributions
YOU WILL SEE A STORY OF RAILWAY IN JAPAN
Dec 2021
You will see the story of railway in Japan from Meiji era up to recent days, there is a First Shinkansen and you can go inside. And dont worry if you can not speak Japanese, this place provide English support. And also you can see the train passes from top floor. You can bring drink if you want. and the last about noon and before closing hour you can see old locomotif entering maintenance building
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Normadic Life
Singapore, Singapore74 contributions
Kyoto Railway with a bit of enjoyment.
Dec 2022
This is a must see for visitors to Kyoto! The museum has the really old train on display - YES! All the physical big trains, including then that period mighty Shinkansen! (Aka, bullet train, looks like a bullet and at that time was one of the fastest train in the world.)

Do allocate 3~4 hrs there as there is a lot of seeing and walking due to the large trains and train parts. Even the old train depot, yes, you are reading this, train depot was part of the museum! The yard has some of the other trains too.

This place is great for kids, suitable for 3 and above, just don’t lose them running around. There was even a little fun train for kids to ride. The fun was so good for them, the queue can be quite long. Good early in the morning when they open and break fo lunch after the 4 hours. Mid-way, just stop for snacks and rest before doing more seeing.

Go to Kyoto Train Station (if you stop from Shinkansen, is additional walking), if you come from the Haruka, is just very near the Kyoto North Entrance (Isetan just on the left). Once exit the Kyoto Train Station at the North Entrance, (BTW, you’d see Kyoto Tower), turn left and follow the walking sign to Kyoto Aquarium. After you reach the Kyoto Aquarium, is another 500m walk to the museum.

This is worth the trip. Take the walk instead of bus or train. Yes, only 230¥ saved on bus ride but the walking time makes up for the wait time. In Japan, walk a little to enjoy the sights, sound and smell of the local ambiance. Summer is little warm, but the cool winter is good for walking.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore8,055 contributions
A "must visit" for train enthusiasts and fans!
Dec 2022
If you are a fan or enthusiast on trains, I think you will not want to give this place a miss as it has a great collection of the different types of trains that were in service over the days. You will be amazed on how advancement in technologies have helped to design and shape the trains that are user friendly and ergonomically designed.

The museum is huge, consisted in both indoor and outdoor exhibits and you will surely learn about the history about the railway works of the country and how it has transformed over the years to what it is today!

We didn't spend a long time here as we had a few attractions to cover (and also not really fans) but we found it insightful and interesting!
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ady998
Houston, TX38 contributions
Interactive railway museum with interesting displays
Jan 2020 • Family
While this is quite costly for a family to visit, we found the displays to be very informative and gave a good insight into the progression of how the Shinkansen (bullet trains) have evolved and developed. Each major mechanical system on the train and railway is broken down, giving young and old an understanding of the physics and engineering behind it.

Lots of interactive displays, making this more of a science museum. There is a lottery to be able to drive a simulator and an outside sheds with steam engines. You can pay extra to take a steam train ride.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Damien H
17 contributions
A place for little and big kids
Nov 2020
This museum shows the history of rail in Japan. It has a very comprehensive collection of railway memorabilia. A lot of hands-on things for the kids to experiment with. Many steam locomotives which you can get on and see the workings of. There is also a steam locomotive trip you can take, however, the whole experience lasts about 10 minutes so quite short. The only problem I had was that all the information on the displays is in Japanese. You can get an English leaflet to guide you but the information is very basic.
Written March 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Oscar Lee
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Interactive experience enjoyed by all
Dec 2019
Having visited both the Railway Museum in Saitama and Kyoto Railway Museum in the same trip, I would say the Kyoto one offers much better experience to non-rail fanatics, as the interactive displays there did a better job in introducing the different aspects of railway operations. Not only the train driving simulators that appeal to train operator wannabes, but also the "backend" operations like ticket booking. For instance, you can print your own magnetic ticket from a real ticket machine used in JR stations and put it into a fully-functional turnstile, where the image of a steam locomotive will be printed on the ticket for your collection. It is this attention to details that made the Japanese society tick.

The roundhouse is also very impressive and the steam locomotive ride is certainly a highlight in my trip to Japan.
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tomr572295
Golden, CO33 contributions
Amazing Railway Museum
Jan 2020
My wife and I toured the Kyoto Railway Museum and really enjoyed it. Some of the key features included the amazing 20 stall roundhouse, featuring the first steam locomotive imported into Hokkaido and the steam engine used to pull the Emperor's train. Lot of interactive exhibits that show how various parts of the Railway industry work. History spanning a moving replica of an early English steam engine up to the current Shinkansen locomotives. A live steam engine ride, views of the the active rails just outside the museum including a live feed of the current running trains and so much more.

There is also a restaurant to grab a bite or you can bring your own food and eat there.

The Q&A recommends 2 hours, but if you are a rail fan, you will want to plan at least 4.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy
Australia5 contributions
Interactive and informative
Jan 2020 • Family
A visit to the Kyoto Rail Museum is well worth it but make sure you allocate at least half a day. The Museum has live steam rides pretty much every day and provides a great overview of the development of Japanese railway. The museum is huge and besides an impressive display of rolling stock, includes lots of hands on type displays such as simulators and network control. There is a roundhouse full of steam locos and you can look in on the workshop at whatever project or rebuild is currently underway. Many of the displays have english explanations but not all. Its an easy walk from the Kyoto JR station.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
muhammad rizal f
Jakarta, Indonesia61 contributions
palace to learn about japan train
Dec 2020
great museum, offer information about historical japan rail way from steam train to shinkansen, the first shinkansen also displayed here. many apparatus of the real train part also displayed here to show how it works.
good places for kid to learn about train.

it is better if full explanation also available in English. some only offer title in English but explanation using Japanese.

i came during covid-19 pandemic, so not all experience is available.
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Kyoto Railway Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Kyoto Railway Museum
Kyoto Railway Museum is open:
  • Thu - Tue 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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