International Railroad Discussion > Tokyo RR museum

What's the best railroad museum around Tokyo? I'll be back in Japan in late June, and this is on my to-do list. Thank you for any guidance.

I did a railtrip in 2008 around the south island. We visited the museum at Saitama, which is I reckon the national railway museum in Japan. It's about 25km from Tokyo, and obviously easy by train out there! We used Omiya station, but I would check up as things change so fast out there.  Finally, I would certainly recommend a visit. Chris uk.

You probably have been there but just in case
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_Museum_%28Saitama%29.

    There is aso a Wikipedia under "railroad museums" that lists others in Japan. I f you are interested in steam, the one in Kyoto is good.

The Kyoto Ralway Museum reopens (after rebuilding/expansion) at the end of April.  I can definitely recommend the Museum at Saitama. Transfer from train to the "New Shuttle" at Omiya station, the railway museum is at the first stop.

symph1 Wrote:
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> What's the best railroad museum around Tokyo? I'll
> be back in Japan in late June, and this is on my
> to-do list. Thank you for any guidance.

Can't go wrong with the Railway Museum in Omiya (Saitama Prefecture) suggested above by everyone. About 45 minute journey from Tokyo Station to the museum by train, including transfers, but give yourself more time in case there are surprise foaming opportunities during your travel.

If you want to try something off the beaten path, try the Ome Railway Park in western suburbs of Tokyo, close to USAF Base at Yokota. Here's the official English link:

http://www.ejrcf.or.jp/ome/english/index.html

If you plan to use the JR Rail Pass, you can go for a train adventure where you can combine mainline steam excursion with a museum visit with proper planning, in Gunma Prefecture, to the Usuitouge Railroad Park. You can drive an electric locomotive (reservation recommended, and availability limited), learn about Japan's mountain railroading (6.67% grade main line, abandoned when Nagano Shinkansen started service), do some hiking and railroad archaeology. Couldn't find the official English link, but here's a tourist link:

https://www.visitgunma.jp/en/sightseeing/detail.php?sightseeing_id=42
 

Thank you so much, everyone. This is excellent information.