Kyoto Railway Museum

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10th Anniversary: The Kyoto Railway Museum's Journey in Photographs

Archive photos of how the museum came to be: construction, trains being moved in and installed, and the halls at the 2016 opening.

Now showing29 Apr – 29 Dec¥1,500

Railways Born from Drawings: Blueprints and the Real Thing

Collection display pairing design drawings of trains and equipment with the real parts, such as a wooden pattern for a D60 locomotive grate and a 0 Series speedometer.

Now showing1 Aug – 29 Nov¥1,500

Special Display Vehicles That Came to Kyoto Railway Museum

For the museum's 10th anniversary, 22 collection photographs of the guest trains brought in on the siding for special displays, including the 113 Series C5 set (2023).

Now showing8 Aug – 20 Dec¥1,500

Railways and Architecture: Beauty and Function

Kyoto Station 150th anniversary show on railway architecture: four generations of Kyoto Station and their architects, roundhouse drawings and historic station buildings.

Now showing3 Oct – 24 Jan 2027¥1,500

Special Display: Kyoto and Steam Locomotives in the Meiji and Taisho Eras

Steam locomotives and station buildings of early 20th-century Kyoto, shown with scenes from the anime Eureka Evrika as part of the museum's collaboration with the series.

Now showing22 Oct – 5 Jan 2027¥1,500

Permanent Collections

Umekoji Roundhouse and Steam Locomotive Service Shed

The 20-track roundhouse of 1914 around a turntable, an Important Cultural Property where steam locomotives are still serviced in Japan's only working steam shed of its kind.

Permanent collection¥1,500

Exhibited Vehicles

54 rail vehicles that drove Japan's modernisation, including the very first 0 Series Shinkansen, the 300 km/h 500 Series and the C62, the largest steam locomotive built for JNR.

Permanent collection¥1,500

Railways Diorama

A 30-metre-wide diorama where staff run 1/80-scale model trains through a full railway system, including a rail yard, in 15-minute shows several times a day.

Permanent collection¥1,500

Nearby

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Ryukoku Museum

Art13 min walk

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Museum "EKi" KYOTO

Design16 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Kyoto Railway Museum cost?

Standard adult admission to Kyoto Railway Museum is ¥1,500. University and high school students 1,300 yen; junior high and elementary 500 yen; children 3+ 200 yen. SL Steam ride 300 yen (100 yen children); driving simulator 100 yen, advance e-ticket only. From 1 March 2027 prices rise to 1,900 yen adults, 1,400 yen students, 600 yen pupils, 300 yen children 3+, and 500 yen for an adult SL Steam ride.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Kyoto Railway Museum?

Kyoto Railway Museum is open 10:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30). Closed Wednesdays, except national holidays and school holiday periods (spring, summer, winter breaks); open Wed 14 Oct 2026. Closed 30 Dec-1 Jan, plus some temporary closing days in January and February (see yearly calendar).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Kyoto Railway Museum?

Kyoto Railway Museum is located at Kankiji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan, in the Umekoji area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Umekoji-Kyotonishi (JR Sagano Line), 2 min walk, Kyoto Station (JR / Kintetsu / Subway), 20 min walk or 10 min by bus 205/208 and Umekoji-koen/Kyoto Railway Museum-mae bus stop.

What can I see at Kyoto Railway Museum?

54 trains from steam giants to the first Shinkansen, a 1914 roundhouse and a real steam train you can ride. Current highlights include Special Display: Kyoto and Steam Locomotives in the Meiji and Taisho Eras, Special Display Vehicles That Came to Kyoto Railway Museum and Railways Born from Drawings: Blueprints and the Real Thing.

Do I need to book Kyoto Railway Museum in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Kyoto Railway Museum?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.