Researched guide · Checked on Oct 21, 2026
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Climb around real locomotives and train cars and try a driving simulator at the Railway Museum (Tetsudo Hakubutsukan) in Saitama, just north of Tokyo. It is next to its own station on the New Shuttle line, about 1 minute on foot.
Quick answer
Admission (same day): adults ¥1,600, elementary to high school students ¥600, children 3 and over ¥300. Cheaper if bought by the day before (¥1,500 / ¥500 / ¥200).
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed on Tuesdays and over the New Year.
Getting there: from JR Omiya Station, take the New Shuttle to “Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan” Station, then walk 1 minute.
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Tickets
| Visitor | Advance (until the day before) | Same day |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | ¥1,500 | ¥1,600 |
| Elementary, junior high and high school students | ¥500 | ¥600 |
| Children (3 and over, before school age) | ¥200 | ¥300 |
- The museum asks visitors to buy online or at convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, Ministop) in advance, so entry is smooth.
- At the museum’s ticket machines you can pay with cash or transit IC cards such as Suica.
- Visitors with discounts (such as disability certificates) should go straight to the entrance counter instead of buying in advance.
- A weekday afternoon pass (from 12:00, valid for a year) is also sold at the entrance counter.
Simulators and hands-on experiences
The museum’s popular experiences, such as the mini driving trains, the E5 Shinkansen simulator, the D51 steam locomotive simulator and the conventional-line simulators, need a reserved experience ticket. These experience tickets are sold only through Seven Ticket (7-Eleven), so book ahead if you want to try one.
Special exhibitions (autumn 2026)
- Railway advertising: an exhibition on the history of railway advertising, from Japan’s first in-train ads in the Meiji era to TV commercials and campaign posters.
- Ekiben design: a satellite exhibition on the design of ekiben (station bento) wrappers, boxes and contents, extended until November 9, 2026.
How to get there
- Train: take the New Shuttle (Saitama New Urban Transit) from JR Omiya Station to Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station. The museum is right next to the station. Omiya is on the Shinkansen and on JR lines from Tokyo and Ueno.
- Car: parking costs ¥1,000 per day and can fill up on holidays. The lot closes when the museum closes.
- If you use car navigation, the station was formerly called “Onari” Station.
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FAQ
How much is the Railway Museum in Saitama?
Same-day tickets are ¥1,600 for adults, ¥600 for students and ¥300 for young children. Buying by the day before is ¥100 cheaper.
When is the Railway Museum closed?
On Tuesdays and over the New Year holidays.
How do I get to the Railway Museum from Tokyo?
Go to Omiya Station on a JR line or the Shinkansen, then take the New Shuttle to Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station.
Can I try the train simulators?
Yes, with a reserved experience ticket, sold only through Seven Ticket.
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Sources
Prices, hours, experiences, exhibitions and access come from the Railway Museum’s official website (checked October 21, 2026). The top page shows older prices, so we use the detailed information page. Please check before you go.
