(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
Saitama Prefecture is just north of Tokyo and very easy to drive to from Yokota Air Base.
Recently, I decided to venture out and explore some of the local attractions in Saitama.
One of my stops was at the Saitama Railway Museum to learn about the evolution of trains from steam to electrical in Japan.
After paying my admissions fee of 1,600 yen (about $10), I first stopped by the gift shop. They sold lots of train toys and miscellaneous items, including a cool necktie with a network map of Tokyo trains for 3,200 yen. Despite being 31 years old, this place brought out the kid in me.
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
What’s old is new
The first room in the museum had many classic trains, including a very large steam engine. Compared to the enormous locomotives, I felt like an ant.
These vintage trains were very old but were in excellent condition, making them look like they were ready to go on their first ride.
Further down the room, they had express trains with a 70s-era feel. Visitors can enter the trains to check out the interiors. It was interesting to see the ashtrays inside the cabin, relics of the golden age of the smoking culture.
Near the end of the room, they had a brake system display that is slightly functional and interactive. The line was long with children waiting to test it out, but to me, it was worth the wait. Everything is in Japanese but there’s no harm in just turning dials and seeing each lever’s function.
They did have a simulator on this floor that cost 600 yen to experience. However, save your money, because there are other modern train simulators in the museum that are free to test!
Speeding like a Shinkansen
The next area was all about Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train. The display allows visitors to walk through and approach the underbelly to appreciate the electrical components that work to make the train a fast and efficient way to travel long distances around Japan.
(Photo by Luis Samayoa/Stripes Japan)
In the control room
In the final area of the museum was a construction and control room. This room was very interactive; however, a good understanding of Japanese or Google Translate is needed.
It was cool to see how things work behind the scenes. Although I couldn’t do the talking portion, I could press the emergency button on the display, which was something I always was interested in doing.
Moving up the stairs, there was a train conductor simulator room, mostly free of charge. The only train that required payment was the Shinkansen, but everything else like the modern trains are free to use. Each simulator depicted what it was like to drive different trains on the Keihin-Tohoku line and Yamanote Line. I tried the Yamanote line simulator, and it was fun!
A visit to the Saitama Rail Museum is fun for the whole family, even those who are not train enthusiasts. The interactive displays were great for learning more about an important aspect of daily life in Japan.
Although somethings are only in Japanese, there are lots of things to see and even try when visiting. The staff was very helpful here, even with language barriers, making navigating the museum easy.
Saitama Railway Museum
Website
Address: 3-47 Onari-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture 330-0852
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday, Closed on Tuesday.
Other info: Yen and cards are accepted. Parking is 1,000 yen all day. Accessible by JR train using the Higashi-Fussa Station and exiting at Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Station
AloJapan.com