On this the 50th anniversary of the Shinkansen (bullet train), I’d like to introduce one of Saitama’s top attractions. Japan’s largest Railway Museum in Omiya, 鉄道博物館 is a really good place to visit with a mixed audience. There really is something for everyone, even if you aren’t “that into” trains. It is particularly a great place for a day out with young children, boys and girls, as there is plenty to do and see. It is commutable from Tokyo, so it appeals to tourists and international families looking for something to do in the Kanto area with kids.
There is so much to say about the Railway museum, I just don’t have the time unfortunately, so this is more of a photo showcase. Please be sure to check out the website. One thing I would like to highlight is, that for those living in Saitama or Tokyo with young children who are into trains, it is really worth buying the annual pass.
URL: http://www.railway-museum.jp/
TEL: 048-651-0088
ACCESS:
By train: Take the New Shuttle from JR Omiya Station and get off at “Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station”. One-minute walk from “Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station”.
By car: 4km from Shintoshin exit of the Shuto Expressway. There are 280 parking spaces. It costs 500 yen to park for the day.
COST: 1000 yen for adults, 500 yen for school children, 200 yen for young children, free for children under 3. You can buy an annual pass, Teppa, for unlimited access and other benefits.
HOURS: 10am to 6pm, last entry 5.30pm. Closed every Tuesday and from December 29th to January 1st for holidays.
Kids / Play areas
TEPPAKU HIROBA
The ground floor has two outdoor areas. The Teppaku Hiroba can be accessed at the back of the history zone. There is also a “lunch train” there; a train that is a rest area, that you are allowed eat food in.
MINI TRAINS and MINI SHINKANSEN
The other outdoor area is to the left of the entrance zone. It boasts the popular mini trains that for 200 yen for upto 3 people, anyone over 6 years of age can operate themselves. You need to arrive early in the morning to book them. There is also a mini shinkansen that you can ride. It goes from outside the entrance zone to the libray and theatre.
LIBRARY, THEATRE and LEGO PLAY AREA
Past the mini trains is a fun area for smaller children, housing the library with books galore about trains. There is a great selection of English books. It also has a theatre which has a couple of showings of Thomas the Tank Engine episodes a day. There is a play area with blocks and a wooden Thomas the Tank Engine play station in this area too.
KIDS SPACE
The “kids space” is a play area for smaller children located in the entrance zone of the 2nd floor. It has rail track and trains for the kids to play with as well as a large plastic train for the kids to play in.
OTHERS
There are learning zones on each floor where there are lots of interactive challenges and experiences for children and adults alike.
The history zone displays a number of period trains including steam trains. You can enter most of these trains to have a better look.
There is also a large model railway train city on display. It can be viewed from the “Kids space” or a special theatre.
There is also a panorama deck on the roof, a shinkansen viewing area on the 3rd floor, where you are allowed eat and there are some vending machines. There are a couple of restaurants within the complex. There are toilets on each floor. Some have nappy change facilities. It is well worth a visit, no matter your age, or interest in trains… I have run out of steam, if you’ll pardon the pun, but if you would like to see more information or photos, take a look at these great blog posts too:
- Saitama Railway Museum (on Travel Dreamscapes)
- The Railway Museum, Saitama City, Japan (on Life to Rest)
- Wikipedia entry with information on the specific trains on display
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_Museum_(Saitama)
ACCESS
The Tetsudo Hakubutsukan Station on the New Shuttle line is located right beside the museum. It is just one stop and a 3 minute train ride from Omiya station.
Parking is available, but charged.