Almost a year has passed since Kyoto Railway Museum first opened its doors on April 29th 2016. Over that short period the museum has already become one of Kyoto’s top new attractions with its displays of 53 railway vehicles, model railroad dioramas, a train simulator, and steam train rides.
The 1st anniversary of Kyoto Railway Museum’s Grand Opening is on April 29th 2017
To celebrate its 1st anniversary the museum has organized a series of celebratory events which will last from Saturday March 18th until Sunday May 14th. Among the events are several special displays, miniature railroad rides, workshops, a scavenger hunt, and even a superhero show! We have listed the main events below.
The Grand Opening Anniversary Ceremony
A special ceremony will be held at the Steam Locomotive boarding site on the museum’s anniversary day. As part of the celebrations, a special anniversary nameplate will be unveiled on the working steam locomotive. Also special anniversary train tickets will be given to visitors who come to the museum on that day.
Date: April 29th
500 Series Shinkansen Public Opening
The interior of the 500 Series Shinkansen will be opened to the public for the first time. This train was the first passenger train in Japan to operate at a top speed of 300km per hour and was actually the world’s fastest train back in 1996.
Dates: March 18th – April 9th, and April 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th.
Opening Hours: 10.00 – 16.30
Location: The 1st floor of the Main Building
The 500 Series Shinkansen
Steam Locomotive Service Shed Opening
The Steam Locomotive No. 2 Service Shed will be open to the public for the first time. This service shed is dedicated to the inspection and servicing of the museum’s steam engines. Visitors will be able to view engine inspections and repairs from a connecting deck.
Dates: April 29th & 30th
Opening Hours: 10.00 – 12.00, 13.30 – 16.30
Steam Locomotive No. 2 Service Shed
Umetetsu Mascot Scavenger Hunt
There will be an “Umetetsu” scavenger hunt for kids. Umetetsu is the museum’s official mascot, and his image will be hidden at 10 locations around the museum. If you can find more than five, then you will receive a special novelty gift from reception.
Dates: April 29th – May 14th
Reception Hours: 10.00 – 17.00
Umetetsu
Trick Art Exhibition
The ongoing Trick Art Exhibition on the 2nd floor of the main building will continue displaying railway themed optical illusions until April 16th.
A miniature 500 Series Shinkansen
Miniature 500 Series Model Railroad Rides
Visitors can ride a miniature version of the 500 Series Shinkansen!
Dates: March 18th, 19th & 20th
Hours: 10.30 – 12.00, 13.00 – 16.00
Location: Beside the museum’s Promenade.
The Dream JNR Highway Bus No. 1
JNR Highway Bus No. 1 Special Display
There will be a special display of the “Dream” JNR Highway Bus No. 1 at the Roundhouse Platform. This bus ran an overnight service between Tokyo and Osaka between 1969 and 1978.
Dates: March 23rd – April 18th
Kansenja!
Kansenja Superhero Show
The official superhero mascot of the Sanyo Shinkansen, “Kansenja” will make special appearances by the 500 Series Shinkansen in the main building.
Show Dates: March 19th & 25th
Show Times: From 11.30 & 14.30
Kansenja will also appear at the museum on March 28th and April 29th to meet, greet, and have his photo taken.
Japanese Candle Decorating Workshop
Local craftsmen will show visitors how to decorate traditional Japanese candles with railway themed designs in ten 30 minute workshops. These workshops are in Japanese, are limited to 20 participants, and tickets must be bought 30 minutes before the lessons start.
Dates: March 25th & 26th
Workshop times: 10.30, 11.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30
Location: The Railway Vehicle Factory on the 1st floor of the Main Building
Workshop Fee: 1, 080 yen (includes tax)
Diorama Making Workshop
Learn how to make your very own model railway diorama with sponges and toothpicks in these 40 minute workshops! These four workshops are in Japanese, are limited to 20 participants, and tickets must be bought 30 minutes before the classes begin.
Date: April 1st
Workshop times: 11.00, 13.00, 14.30, 15.30
Location: The Railway Vehicle Factory on the 1st floor of the Main Building
Workshop Fee: 1,000 yen (includes tax)
Railway Photography Class
A professional cameraman will give advice on photographing steam locomotives in a spring setting and other railway subjects. These two hour-long classes are limited to 10 participants, are given in Japanese, and must be booked on a first-come first-served basis 30 minutes before the class begins.
Date: April 2nd
Class Times: 11.00 & 13.30
Location: In front of the 0 Series Shinkansen in the museum’s Promenade.
Fee: FREE
Kyoto Railway Museum Opening Hours:
10:00 – 17:30 (Last entry: 17:00)
The museum is closed on Wednesdays (unless the Wednesday falls on a national holiday) and closed during the New Year holidays (30th December – January 1st)
Kyoto Railway Museum Entry Fees:
General Admission (18 years and older) 1,200 yen
University and High School Students – 1,000 yen
Junior High and Elementary School Students – 500 yen
Children (3 years and older) – 200 yen
For information on the museum’s regular displays and facilities please view our introductory article on the Kyoto Railway Museum.
Article by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
