Rail fans can now travel directly by train to Kyoto Railway Museum thanks to a new station which opened on March 16th. The new station is called Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station, and it is just a 2 minute trip away from Kyoto Station for a fare of 140 yen. Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station is located on the JR Sagano Line (JR San-in Line) between Kyoto Station and Tambaguchi Station and is served by 4 ordinary trains per hour. Saga-Arashiyama Station is on the same line and is just 14 minutes from the new station.
Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station
Kyoto Railway Museum is located inside Umekoji Park and is 1.7 kilometers from Kyoto Station, which was formerly the nearest station. Previously, visitors to the museum faced a complicated 20 minute walk from Kyoto Station, or they had to pay for a bus or taxi. Now everyone can take a train directly to the entrance to Umekoji Park, and from there it is a pleasant 3 minute stroll through the park to the gates of the museum. For families with small children especially, the new station makes both the park and museum a much more convenient location to visit.
The Kyoto Railway Museum
Kyoto Railway Museum, which opened in April 2016, is the largest railway museum in Japan and has become one of Kyoto’s top attractions. The museum’s facilities include 53 railway vehicles on display, model railroad dioramas, a train simulator, and regular steam train rides. The addition of Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station to the Umekoji Park area will be sure to attract new businesses and facilities to serve the ever-increasing numbers of sightseers.
Commemorative souvenir goods
To celebrate the opening of the new station, a limited number of special souvenirs including stationery, T-shirts, and mugs, are now available in the Kyoto Railway Museum shop.
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
