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Kyoto Railway Museum

Description

The Kyoto Railway Museum exhibits over 50 rolling stocks including steam, diesel, electric, and shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) locomotives as well EMU (electric self-propelled carriages), coaches, and freight wagons. It also features a roundhouse from 1914 built around a turntable and the relocated former Nijo Station.

Access & Transport

The museum is located next to Umekoji Park and Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station (JR San-in line), 1.5km west of Kyoto Station. There is a car park next to the building and the station.

Instructions & Recommendations

Families may be interested in combining this activity with the nearby Kyoto Aquarium. For something more cultural, Tō-ji is a 5mins walk away.

Meta review

Often listed as an afterthought by travel guides, the online reviews are consistently good. Of course, train buffs will get the most out of it, but they are not the only ones since there are plenty of information panels and it is visually very impressive (turntable, shinkansen, etc.), modern and didactic - which makes it very popular with families as well. The curation is also well thought through with pits, exploded views of engines, and the ability to get in some of the coaches.

Environmental & Social

Low carbon footprint on a per visitor basis. Educational + preserves the country's technological heritage.

Conclusion

Japan knows how to design and manufacture trains, so we think this museum highly deserves a visit once you have hit the main 5-8 cultural and urban exploration hotspots of Kyoto, especially for families with children running bored of temples.

Key positive

Wide range of locomotives + roundhouse

Well curated and didactic

Easy to reach

Key negative

None

Suitability

Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility and suitable for all ages

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

August 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closed for NY break on 30 Dec - 01 Jan

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:2h 15m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 17:00

Tuesday10:00 - 17:00

Wednesday -

Thursday10:00 - 17:00

Friday10:00 - 17:00

Saturday10:00 - 17:00

Sunday10:00 - 17:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
JP¥1,500
Adult
18 - 64
JP¥1,500
Teen & Young
15 - 17
JP¥1,300
Child
5 - 14
JP¥500
Infant
0 - 4
JP¥0
Between 3 yrs. old and elementary school age is 200 yen.

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