Kyoto Railway Museum 京都鉄道博物館

The Kyoto Railway Museum, completed in 2016, is a grand tribute to over 100 years of railway history in Japan. Not only popular with railway enthusiasts, the museum is also an ideal place to visit for families and the young-at-heart.

The Kyoto Railway Museum is a two-minute walk from JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station, and can be reached on foot from Kyoto Station .

It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the Railway Museum from the central exit of Kyoto Station . For those who prefer not to walk, take bus 86, or 88 to Umekoji-koen/Kyoto Railway Museum-mae bus stop, right in front of the museum.

The Kyoto Railway Museum exhibits a vast array of steam, electric and bullet trains, many of which are among the most important and revolutionary trains of their time. The museum features enough exhibits to keep visitors delighted all day.

You can observe many of the historical trains up close—even underneath—to see their inner workings. For a small fee, you can ride one of the charming old steam locomotives.

Once you have seen carriages and engines on display, head up to see the second floor, where you can put your driving skills to the test. The model trains here are controlled by simulators much like those used by real train drivers.

Be sure to stop to admire the museum's exit, formerly the Nijo Station building constructed in 1904. Nearby lies the roundhouse with an old turntable designed to switch round inbound and outbound locomotives.

An observatory space on the third floor offers panoramic views of Kyoto Tower, the Toji Temple and Higashiyama mountains.

The Kyoto Railway Museum is located in Umekoji Park, with convenient access to the Kyoto Aquarium .

The museum is a perfect place to visit on a rainy day. Plan to visit for a couple of hours, or more if you've got a railway enthusiast to entertain.