The Japanese Railway Society Homepage

Museums and Theme Parks

Kyōto Railway Museum, by Charles Rudd
Charles recently paid a visit to the new Kyōto Railway Museum, built on the site of the Umekōji Steam Engine Museum and combing the collections of both the Umekōji Museum and the now closed Modern Transportation Museum formerly in Bentenchō, Ōsaka in a greatly modernised facility.

SCMaglev & Railway Park, by Anthony Leith The museum of JR Tōkai (Central Japan Railway Co) replacing their former museum at the Sakuma Rail Park.
Otaru Synthesis Museum, by Alex Morley & Anthony Leith
A description of Hokkaidō's largest railway museum.
The Railway Museum at Ōmiya, by Hiroshi Naito
Description of the newer and immensely popular JR East museum near Ōmiya.
The Railway Museum at Ōmiya
Brief Description of the same museum by Tony Atkins.
Shuzenji Romney Railway in Niji-no-Sato, Rainbow Country
An introduction of the Izu-Shuzenji version of R, H&D Railway in the UK
By Hitoshi Naito
The Tōykō Subway Museum
An introduction of Tōkyō Subway Museum. It is not as well-known as the Transportation Museum, but more than worth the visit.
By Marcel van Dijk
Yokohama Municipal Tramway Museum, by Hiroshi Naito

Nagoya City Tram and Subway Museum
Nagoya once boasted a 108 kms tram network, with 415 cars operating 26 routes. Anthony Robins briefly introduces exhibits of the museum and the background of the tram and subway of Nagoya.
Kaya Steam Locomotive Square (Kaya SL Hiroba), by Anthony Robins
An introductory report of an interesting outdoor railway museum exhibiting fine antique railway equipment.
Usui Pass Revisited, by Naoaki Okada
A report of a visit to the rail theme park, Usui Pass Railway Monument Park, newly opened at Yokokawa in April 1999.
About Umekōji Steam Engine Museum, by Anthony Robins and Hiroshi Naito
Umekōji Roundhouse in Kyōto used to be a major engine depot on the heavily operated Tokaido main line, but now serves as a steam engine museum. With a large steam collection covering almost all classes built just after Japan's modern steam era had begun, the museum offers a good oppotunity to learn about Japanese steam engine heritage. The museum has now been modernised and renamed as the Kyōto Railway Museum and combines the collection of this museum with that from the former Modern Transportation Museum in Bentenchō, Ōsaka in a greatly modernised facility.
Sakuma Rail Park (Now Closed). Description of the former JR Tokai Museum, now closed and replaced by the 'SCMAGLEV and Railway Park'. By Anthony Robins.
American Steam Engines Waipahu and Virginia at Nikkō, by Hiroshi Naito
Two classical American steam engines are spending the rest of their days at the Western Village in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture Japan.
Tōkyō Transportation Museum (now closed), by Tony Atkins
Brief description of the former JR East museum near Ochanomizu.
Ōsaka Modern Transportation Museum (now closed), by Tony Atkins
Description of the former JR West museum in Bentenchō. This museum has now closed and has been merged with the Umekōji roundhouse and reopened as the Kyōto Railway Museum in a modernised facility on the Umekōji museum site.
Ōigawa Railway and Museum, by Tony Atkins
The most famous steam operated railway in Japan.
Kyūshū Railway Museum, Mojikō, by Tony Atkins
JR Kyūshū's museum.
Ōme Railway Park
Tōbu Railway Museum, by Tony Atkins
Museum of the Kantō region's largest private railway.
Ōmi Railway Museum, Hikone, by Tony Atkins
Museum of Seibu's sister railway in Shiga Prefecture.
SL & Piano Museum
Edo Open Air Architechture Museum, by Tony Atkins
Hiroshima City Transport Museum
Sapporo City Transport Museum
Chichibu Railway Rolling Stock Park
Nagoya Subway Museum
Tokyū Train and Bus Museum
Museum of Private Operator of railways and bus routes in West Tōkyō & Kanagawa prefecture.
Hokkaidō Railway Technical Hall
A list of Smaller Museums

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