Family Fun on the Tracks: Tokyo's Railway Museum

The Tokyo Railway Museum is such a nice museum for all ages! Best for a 3-4 hour visit. Start at the old trains and let the kids run and explore the inside of retired cars. Afterwards, head outside to ride the miniature train (200¥) and play on the slides and gliding structure. Head upstairs to the simulator where you can drive 3 different types of trains! If you want to pretend to be a conductor or do the simulator for the Shinkansen, you must enter a raffle. Explore more levels with the library, a room with bento displays and an interactive spot with stations showing how trains work. Then make your way back down to the train cars. Bring your own snack or purchase a bento (children’s come with a souvenir box) and enjoy it in the air conditioned lunch cars. There is also a cafe or restaurant overlooking the Shinkansen. There are vending machines for drink purchases as well. Afterwards, head over to the children’s play area. This area has a toy train track, play bento box store, and soft crawl area.  

Logistics

Location: Take the New Shuttle from Omiya Station.  

Hours: 10am - 5pm daily

Things to do: Interactive train simulator, retired trains to enter and enjoy, learning rooms, library, make believe play area, outdoor train ride

Restrooms: Many available and clean

Stroller friendly: Yes. There are strollers for rent as well

Shade: Outdoor is full sun, yet there are lunch trains with aircon

Good to know

Turn right when you enter and make your way through level 1 before going up to level 3. Work your way back across to the other end via level 3 then work your way back down. Have a snack on the lunch train at level 1 on the way up, then aim for a late lunch near the other side. End by letting the kids burn out the last bit of energy at the play area and cafe before the long ride back to Tokyo.