The Railway Museum (Saitama City)

The Railway Museum (てつどうはくぶつかん) is located in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It was established by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) to commemorate its 20th anniversary and officially opened on October 14, 2007, which is celebrated as “Railway Day” in Japan. The museum replaced the former Transportation Museum in Akihabara, Tokyo, which closed in 2006. Today, it stands as one of the largest and most comprehensive railway museums in Japan. The site of the museum was formerly part of the JR Ōmiya Rolling Stock Center, and it is conveniently accessible from JR Ōmiya Station via the Saitama New Urban Transit “New Shuttle,” with the nearest stop being “Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan (Ōmiya) Station.”

The museum focuses on preserving and passing down the history and technological culture of Japanese railways. Its extensive collection includes trains from the late 19th century to the present day, such as Japan’s earliest steam locomotives, the prototype Shinkansen Series 0, as well as limited express and sleeper trains from the Shōwa era. Each vehicle on display serves as a historical milestone in the evolution of railways. In addition to static exhibits, the museum emphasizes interactivity and education. It offers train driving simulators, conductor experience facilities, a massive railway diorama, and play areas for children, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the principles and fascination of railway operations. The building itself combines modern architectural design with an open layout, creating bright, well-ventilated exhibition halls that ensure a smooth visitor flow.

Beyond being a showcase of railway history, the museum also plays an educational and cultural research role. It houses a dedicated reference section and study spaces that store historical documents and technical archives related to railways, providing valuable resources for researchers and railway enthusiasts alike.