The Kyoto Railway Museum is one of Japan’s largest railway museums, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the history and development of the country’s railways. Located in Umekoji Park, a popular recreational space for Kyoto residents, the museum opened in April 2016.
The museum preserves the legacy of Japan’s railway heritage, with a particular focus on steam locomotives, commonly known as SL in Japan. Its collection includes 18 representative steam locomotives manufactured from the early Taisho period (1912–1926) through the late 1940s. These locomotives operated throughout Japan until 1975, and six are preserved in working condition.
One of the museum’s main attractions is its impressive roundhouse, originally built in 1914. This distinctive semicircular building has been retained from the former Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, allowing visitors to appreciate the traditional facilities used to maintain and store steam locomotives.
Another highlight is the former Nijo Station building, originally constructed in 1904 and later relocated to the museum. Recognized as a cultural property, the historic wooden building offers a glimpse into the architecture of Japan’s early railway era. It also houses a souvenir shop where visitors can browse railway-themed gifts and mementos.
Beyond the locomotives and historic buildings, the museum features a variety of railway-related documents, artifacts, and exhibits. Visitors can learn how rail transport developed in Japan and discover the engineering and technology behind the trains that helped shape the country’s modern history.
Whether you are a railway enthusiast, a history lover, or traveling with children, the Kyoto Railway Museum offers an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. Its combination of historic locomotives, preserved railway architecture, and educational exhibits makes it a memorable stop during a visit to Kyoto.
10:00 - 17:30 (Admission until 17:00)
Wed.
12/30 - 1/1 *Holidays and spring break (3/25 - 4/7)
Open during summer vacation (7/21-8/31)
General admission 1,200 yen
University and high school students 1,000 yen
Junior high school and elementary school students: 500 yen
Infants (3 years and older) 200 yen
10 min. by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.
From Umekoji Koen-mae by city bus