The Railway Museum in Saitama is exceptional.
In my opinion, the best in the Tokyo area. It’s got a similar vibe to the railway museum in Kyoto, actually (click here for my Kyoto with kids ideas, ok?)
Since 2020, it is very important to reserve tickets ahead of time for the Saitama Railway Museum. Tickets can be purchased at any Japan-based 7-Eleven, Lawson or Mini Stop convenience stores.
You will also need to pre-book the mini-trains (the little trains that the kids can drive.)
Little self-operated trains, a mini shinkansen, a train-driving simulator, model trains…the lot. Adult entry is 1000 yen, 500 yen for school aged kids, 200 yen for 3-school age and kids under 3 are free. I advise going straight to the outdoor section on the ground floor and book your spot for driving your own little train carriage.
Oh…and don’t lose your ticket. It’s a fake train card so you need to hand it back to get out (PS: the staff have now seen the entire contents of my handbag while in a manic hunt.)
I love the little ride on trains outdoors the most – but go there early as it gets really busy. The mini shinkansen ride is very popular. Preschool aged children need to ride with a parent. The trains are 210 yen to ride and reservations required via the Railway Museum Raffle App on weekends – no reservations needed on weekdays.
The miniature driving trains cost 210 yen to drive ( for elementary students and older) and reservations need to be made via the Railway Museum Raffle App.
There is a conductor simulator – 510 yen to participate (for elementary students and older) and reservations need to be made via the Railway Museum Raffle App.
Junior School Students and older are also able to take part in the D51 steam locomotive simulator for 510 yen. Make reservations via the Railway Museum Raffle App.
There is also an E5 Shinkansen driving simulator for elementary school students and older. Reservations can be made via the Railway Museum Raffle App. and it costs 510 yen per session.
The food isn’t award-winning but it is worth getting a little something so that you can sit in a train carriage ‘restaurant car.’
So cute.
@thetokyochapter The Tetsudo Railway Museum, Japan ( Saitama) #japanwithkids #thetokyochapter
There is even a little area where kids can practice making an ekiben ( a railway bento.)
There are lovely clean restrooms on every single floor.
There’re also vending machines selling water, soft drink and juice.
In-house stroller rental and wheelchair rental available at the ground floor entrance.
Free wifi is available in the entrance, main building, the shinkansen lounge and all of the south building.
There is also a cafe that sells bentos in little shinkansen shaped bentos.
How to get to the Saitama Railway Museum from Tokyo?
Take the train to JR Omiya Station and change for the New Shuttle -> get off at Tetsuo Hakubutsukan Station and walk for one minute.
RAILWAY MUSEUM
3-47 ONARICHO, OMIYA, SAITAMA
埼玉大宮区御成町3-47
OPEN: 10AM-6PM (CLOSED TUESDAYS & THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS)
ADMISSION: ADULTS 1330 YEN, SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN 620YEN, PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN 310 YEN, CHILDREN UNDER 3 ARE FREE
If your kids are crazy about everything to do with transport, you’ll love my ‘Fun for Transport-crazy Kids’ post here.
