Saitama Attractions | The Railway Museum in Omiya: A Must-Visit for Both Adults and Kids

Located in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, right next to Tokyo, the Omiya Railway Museum is a national-level attraction. Originally known as the Tokyo Transportation Museum, it was one of Asia's most iconic museums. After several relocations, it reopened in 2007 at a new site in Omiya, Saitama, under the name 'The Railway Museum.' Transportation Guide: From JR Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to JR Omiya Station, which takes only 24 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Takasaki Line or Utsunomiya Line from JR Tokyo Station, which takes about 40 minutes. From JR Ikebukuro Station, take the JR Saikyo Line or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line, which takes about 30 minutes. Once you arrive at JR Omiya Station, transfer to the Saitama New Urban Transit New Shuttle and get off at 'Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station' to reach the museum. The entrance of the Omiya Railway Museum is already impressive, featuring various train heads, wheels, and information boards, setting high expectations even before entering. Admission fees are 1,330 yen for adults, 620 yen for elementary, junior high, and high school students, and 310 yen for children. Upon entering, you'll find the service desk and ticket inspection area. The museum has four floors, divided into the main building, south building, and north building, with areas for children's playgrounds, future exhibits, history, science, and vehicle displays. The exhibition space is modeled after the York Railway Museum in the UK. The first-floor hall resembles a roundhouse, with a turntable centered around the C57135 locomotive, surrounded by exhibition rooms displaying preserved vehicles. In addition to trains from the Tokyo Transportation Museum, many more preserved trains have been added. The Railway Museum houses national treasure-level historical documents, railway memorabilia, a train model gallery, and driving simulators, covering history, technology, and education. It's evident that this is a 'national-level' museum. Outside the museum, there's an outdoor railway experience area where you can see both elevated Shinkansen and ground-level conventional lines. The steam locomotives in the Omiya Railway Museum's collection are all heavyweight national treasures. The previously mentioned C57 135 is the last passenger steam locomotive of the Japan National Railways, known for its slender boiler and perfect proportions, earning it the nickname 'Lady.' After ending its service on the Muroran Main Line in Hokkaido in 1975, it was sent to the Tokyo Transportation Museum, where it lacked sufficient space. Now, the C57 135 has a new stage and regularly whistles and rotates, becoming a focal point for visitors. Various display cars are open for tours, and numerous simulation devices allow you to experience operating them firsthand. A serious visit typically takes half a day, while a quick tour requires at least two hours. If you haven't been, make sure to add this to your Tokyo itinerary—it's definitely worth the visit.