The Railway Museum was opened in 2007 in Saitama City by JR East. It recounts the history of railway in Japan, exhibits many previously used train cars, teaches train operation using interesting simulators, and explains railway technology as it evolved over the years.

The museum's big collection of formerly used train cars includes steam and diesel locomotives, and retired shinkansen, passenger and freight cars. Many of them can be entered or viewed from under. There is also one of Japan's largest dioramas. In another section, railway concepts, science and systems are explained through models and hands-on activities.

The museum also offers multiple, popular train simulators, including a steam locomotive driving simulator and a simulator for train conductors that involves the opening and closing of train doors. The museum's app can be used to reserve slots for many of the simulators, while other simulators can be used on a first-come first-serve basis.

The eatery and rooftop garden provide nice views of trains passing by, as the museum stands between the tracks of the JR Takasaki Line and the Tohoku, Joetsu and Hokuriku shinkansen. There are also play areas for children, as well as a mini shinkansen ride and a small network of tracks for mini trains, which visitors can ride and operate.

Some of the simulators and rides require additional fees.

Getting there and around

The Railway Museum is located just beside Tetsudo Hakubutsukan Station, which is reached in a three minute ride from Omiya Station by the New Shuttle (190 yen one way). The New Shuttle ride is not covered by any JR passes except the JR Tokyo Wide Pass.

How to get to and around Saitama

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Saitama

Top rated in Saitama
Budget:
    • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Omiya-nishiguchi
      Luxury
      Conveniently situated in the Omiya Ward district of Saitama, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Omiya-nishiguchi is located 2 km from Saitama Super Arena, 12 km from Saitama Stadium 2002 and 14 km from Torin-ji Temple. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Kawaguchi Science Museum is 14 km away and Itsukan-ji Temple is 15 km from the hotel. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. A buffet breakfast is available daily at Daiwa Roynet Hotel Omiya-nishiguchi. SKIP CITY Visual Museum is 14 km from the accommodation, while Chosho-ji Temple is 14 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 51 km from Daiwa Roynet Hotel Omiya-nishiguchi.
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    • Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin
      Luxury
      Featuring 4-star accommodation, Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin is situated in Saitama, 400 metres from Saitama Super Arena and 12 km from Saitama Stadium 2002. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Guests at Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin can enjoy a buffet breakfast. SKIP CITY Visual Museum is 13 km from the accommodation, while Kawaguchi Science Museum is 13 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 51 km from Hotel Metropolitan Saitama-Shintoshin.
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    • Restay Iwatsuki (Adult Only)
      Budget-friendly
      Set within 5.7 km of Saitama Stadium 2002 and 11 km of Saitama Super Arena, Restay Iwatsuki (Adult Only) offers rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Saitama. This 2-star love hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Kawaguchi City Cultural Properties Center is 14 km away and Hatogaya Hikawa Shrine is 14 km from the love hotel. All rooms in the love hotel are equipped with a kettle. All rooms have a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. All guest rooms in Restay Iwatsuki (Adult Only) are fitted with a flat-screen TV and slippers. The accommodation offers a sauna. Kozen-in Temple is 14 km from Restay Iwatsuki (Adult Only), while Kongo-ji Temple is 14 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 51 km from the love hotel.
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    • REF Omiya by VESSEL HOTELS
      Luxury
      Attractively located in the Omiya Ward district of Saitama, REF Omiya by VESSEL HOTELS is situated 1.7 km from Saitama Super Arena, 10 km from Saitama Stadium 2002 and 14 km from SKIP CITY Visual Museum. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. All guest rooms have a private bathroom, slippers and bed linen. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the hotel. REF Omiya by VESSEL HOTELS offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna. Kawaguchi Science Museum is 14 km from the accommodation, while Aokicho Park is 15 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 51 km from REF Omiya by VESSEL HOTELS.
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    • Candeo Hotels Omiya
      Luxury
      Located in Saitama, within 2 km of Saitama Super Arena and 12 km of Saitama Stadium 2002, Candeo Hotels Omiya provides accommodation with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is situated 14 km from Torin-ji Temple, 14 km from SKIP CITY Visual Museum and 14 km from Kawaguchi Science Museum. Niikura Furusato Minkaen is 15 km away and Aokicho Park is 15 km from the hotel. The hotel offers 4-star accommodation with a sauna and hot tub. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Chosho-ji Temple is 14 km from Candeo Hotels Omiya, while Itsukan-ji Temple is 15 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 51 km from the accommodation.
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    • eeGee STAY Omiya
      Budget-friendly
      Situated conveniently in the Omiya Ward district of Saitama, eeGee STAY Omiya is located 10 km from Saitama Stadium 2002, 14 km from SKIP CITY Visual Museum and 14 km from Kawaguchi Science Museum. With free WiFi, this 2-star capsule hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. The property is non-smoking and is set 2 km from Saitama Super Arena. The units in the capsule hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Aokicho Park is 15 km from eeGee STAY Omiya, while Torin-ji Temple is 15 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 52 km from the accommodation.
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    • Super Hotel Premier Saitama Higashiguchi
      Luxury
      Boasting a bar and a spa and wellness centre, Super Hotel Premier Saitama Higashiguchi is set in Saitama, 3.1 km from Saitama Super Arena and 11 km from Saitama Stadium 2002. Featuring a shared lounge, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 15 km from SKIP CITY Visual Museum. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. At Super Hotel Premier Saitama Higashiguchi guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Kawaguchi Science Museum is 15 km from the accommodation, while Aokicho Park is 15 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 52 km from Super Hotel Premier Saitama Higashiguchi.
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    • Royal Pines Hotel Urawa
      Luxury
      The Royal Pines Hotel Urawa features 8 restaurants, including a top-floor caf? and its own pastry shop. It has a 24-hour reception and a hairdressing salon, while free WiFi is available property-wide. Urawa Station is only a 5-minute walk away. JR Tokyo and Ikebukuro train stations are respectively a 24 and 18-minute train ride from Urawa Station. Air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator and a safe. A trouser press and an electric kettle are provided. The en suite bathroom comes with a bathtub, shower and toiletries. Certain rooms feature airweave mattresses for guest's comfort. Royal Pines offers currency exchange and safety deposit of valuables. It has a garden, and drinks vending machines are on site. The Royal Pines Hotel Urawa has a buffet restaurant, as well as restaurants offering Japanese, Chinese or French cuisines. Freshly baked seasonal pastries can be enjoyed at the coffee shop of bakery La Mora, and the Top Lounge offers original cocktails. Royal Pines Hotel Urawa is a 5-minute train ride away from Saitama-Shintoshin Station featuring Saitama Super Arena. Urawa Station connects with Omiya Station in 7 minutes. Haneda Airport is a 70-minute train ride away, while Narita Airport is a 90-minute train ride from the hotel. Shinjuku, Tokyo and Asakusa train station are a 30-minute train ride away.
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    • Water Hotel Mw (Love Hotel)
      Mid-range
      Water Hotel Mw (Love Hotel) is set in Saitama, within 6 km of Saitama Stadium 2002 and 9 km of Osaki Park. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available on site. The units at the love hotel feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, blu-ray player, and a private bathroom with a hot tub, a hairdryer and free toiletries. The rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Water Hotel Mw (Love Hotel) offers a range of wellness facilities including a hot tub and a sauna. Hikawa Shrine is 10 km from the accommodation, while NACK5 Stadium Omiya is 10 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 62 km from Water Hotel Mw (Love Hotel).
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    • Palace Hotel Omiya
      Luxury
      Built in the convention complex Omiya Sonic City, Palace Hotel Omiya offers restaurants and cafes in the city famous for railways and bonsai culture. Rooms at this property were fully renovated in 2012 and are fitted with Sealy beds. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The hotel is only a 3-minute walk from Omiya Station, which is served by 14 railway lines. Limousin buses to both Haneda and Narita airports are also available at the station. Every room at this hotel is air conditioned and comes with a fridge, electric kettle, flat-screen TV with satellite channels. For your comfort, slippers, free toiletries and a hair dryer are provided. Restaurants at Omiya Palace Hotel include Japanese, Chinese and French. There are 19 banquet and meeting rooms and a 24-hour front desk with luggage storage and Currency exchange services at the property. The Railway Museum is a 10-minute train ride away, while The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama is a 20-minute train ride away from Palace Hotel Omiya. Saitama Super Arena and Hikawa Shrine can be reached within 10 minutes by public transport.
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