Museum · Umekoji

Kyoto Railway Museum 京都鉄道博物館

One of Japan's largest railway museums, with 54 trains including the first Shinkansen, a working roundhouse of steam locomotives and a short steam train ride.

About

Opened in 2016 by JR West on the site of the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, the Kyoto Railway Museum displays 54 retired trains, from 19th-century steam engines to the 0 Series Shinkansen, the 500 Series and the EF66 electric locomotive. Its centrepiece is the 1914 Umekoji fan-shaped roundhouse, the oldest reinforced-concrete locomotive shed in Japan, where around 20 steam locomotives are stored and maintained around a turntable. Visitors can ride the SL Steam train on a 1 km round trip, try driving simulators (by lottery), and watch the giant model railway diorama show. The third-floor Skyterrace looks out over the Tokaido main line and the Shinkansen tracks with Kyoto Tower in the background, a classic train-spotting deck.

Highlights

• Fan-shaped Umekoji roundhouse with about 20 steam locomotives
• SL Steam train ride
• 0 Series Shinkansen and 500 Series display
• Huge model railway diorama show
• Skyterrace view over the Shinkansen and Tokaido lines

Tips

• Weekday mornings are calmer; school holidays are packed.
• Simulators are allocated by lottery at the museum; enter early.
• The new JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station is 2 minutes away, or walk 20 minutes from Kyoto Station.
• Combine with Kyoto Aquarium in Umekoji Park.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Umekoji ParkPark · 190 m away
• Kobushi RamenRamen & Noodles · 250 m away
• Kyoto AquariumZoo & Aquarium · 460 m away
• Shimabara Omon GatePhoto Spot · 630 m away
• Toji Kobo-ichi Flea MarketMarket · 850 m away
• To-jiTemple · 860 m away
• Aitsu no Ramen Kataguruma (Honten)Ramen & Noodles · 880 m away
• Nishi Hongan-jiTemple · 940 m away