Japan is well-known throughout the world for its railways, from the blazing fast-speeds of the shinkansen (新幹線, Bullet train) and the sprawling rail networks of Tokyo. Railways have also become an integral part of Japan’s imagery. The Kyoto Railway Museum hosts an impressive array of exhibits, including a roundhouse turntable, steam locomotives (including the opportunity to ride on one for ¥300), and older models of the shinkansen.
While the thought of visiting a train-based museum might seem uninteresting at first, the wide variety of exhibits introducing the behind-the-scenes of Japan’s complex railway system gives you a newfound appreciation every time you board the train. Learn about how complex train timetables are arranged, how the ticket barriers work, how trains keep from colliding from one another, or even try out a train simulator to try and operate one for yourself. For those who love dioramas, the Kyoto Railway Museum offers a huge diorama packed with trains, cars, and many other small figures that bring the diorama to life.
