How to get a numbered ticket for the “Pochi” railway model sale
Details about Kyoto’s famous Kinshi-don and where to find it
Kyoto’s bread culture and recommended bakeries in the Shijo area
A model itinerary for an early morning Kyoto adventure
Saturday Morning — Heading to Shijo Before Dawn!
On a Saturday morning, with barely a car on the road, we made our way to Shijo-dori in Kyoto.
The Mascots were fidgeting with excitement — “Are we getting something?” But the shop we were heading to was still firmly closed. While the Mascots looked on in bewilderment, this was all part of a carefully laid plan.
The Shijo Area of Kyoto is easily accessible from Hankyu Kyoto Line’s Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station and JR Kyoto Station, with plenty of sightseeing, dining, and shopping on offer. Early morning on Shijo-dori, with almost no one around, offers a rare and precious glimpse of Kyoto’s quiet, peaceful side.
Securing a Numbered Entry Ticket Before Opening — That Was the Whole Plan!
The shop opens at 10 AM — but numbered entry tickets are distributed before opening, which is why we set out so early in the morning (laughs).
With our ticket successfully secured, all that was left was to relax in a nearby café until opening time. A morning café in Kyoto is a truly special experience in itself.
Tips for Getting Your Numbered Ticket
The more popular the event, the earlier you’ll need to arrive
Check the official SNS accounts in advance for ticket distribution times
Once you have your ticket, a nearby café is the perfect place to wait
Time for the “Pochi” Railway Model Sale! Sneaking Off While the Mascots Sleep
When the time came, we made our way to the “Pochi” railway model sale.
But just at that moment, the Mascots surrendered to sleepiness and dozed off inside the bag. “Now’s our chance!” — and so, carefully avoiding waking them, we quietly slipped off to the battleground (laughs).
We successfully secured the trains we had our eyes on — an absolute dream for any railway model enthusiast!
“Pochi” Railway Models is a well-known shop specialising in the buying and selling of second-hand railway models. Their sales events often feature rare and limited-edition vehicles, drawing railway fans from all across Japan.
Next Stop: Kinshi-don at the Legendary “Kyogoku Kaneyo”
With the model sale thoroughly enjoyed, it was time for a proper meal. Our destination was Kyogoku Kaneyo — a Kyoto institution, unmistakable by its famous signboard.
Here we enjoyed the Kinshi-don — a uniquely Kyoto dish featuring a generous topping of finely shredded kinshi (golden) egg over an unagi (eel) rice bowl. Paired with a beautifully dashi-flavored chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), the refined, elegant flavors were everything we had hoped for.
Kinshi-don is one of Kyoto’s most beloved local dishes. A bowl of unagi rice topped with delicate shredded egg, it carries the gentle, sophisticated flavors that define Kyoto cuisine. Kyogoku Kaneyo has been serving guests for over 100 years and remains a firm favourite with both tourists and locals alike. Lunchtime can get busy, so arriving early is recommended!
One Last Treat Before Heading Back to Osaka
Back at Kyoto Station for a commemorative photo, we prepared for the return journey to Osaka — but not before stopping at one of Kyoto’s famous bakeries for a little something extra.
Kyoto is known as one of Japan’s most competitive cities for bakeries, and the Mascots were absolutely delighted to have secured a shio-pan (salt bread) for the journey home (laughs).
Kyoto’s bread culture ranks among the very best in Japan. The Shijo and Kawaramachi area is home to many popular bakeries, and food-hopping between them is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Make sure to add a bakery stop to your Kyoto itinerary!
Model Itinerary for an Early Morning Kyoto Adventure
Time
Activity
Early Morning
Head to Shijo-dori to secure a numbered ticket
Morning
Wait at a nearby café until opening time
From 10 AM
Enjoy the “Pochi” railway model sale
Noon
Kinshi-don & chawanmushi lunch at Kyogoku Kaneyo
Afternoon
Commemorative photo at Kyoto Station / bakery stop
Evening
Return to Osaka
Summary | Early Rising Is the Secret to a Perfect Kyoto Morning!
Spot
Highlights
“Pochi” Railway Model Sale
A must-visit event requiring a numbered ticket — fans travel from across Japan
Kinshi-don (Kyogoku Kaneyo)
Over 100 years of history — shredded egg over unagi rice, simply exquisite
Kyoto Bakeries
Salt bread is a must — the perfect treat for the journey home
Kyoto rewards early risers — start your day before the crowds and you can pack an enormous amount into a single day. Popular spots and events often require numbered tickets or advance reservations, so always check ahead before you go!
How to ride the Uzushio Limited Express and access the museum
Highlights and must-see exhibits at Otsuka Museum of Art
Important warnings about the Ikenotani Station transfer
Why checking timetables in advance is absolutely essential in Shikoku
First Ride on the Kotoku Line! Why We Chose the Uzushio Limited Express
The Kotoku Line connects Takamatsu and Tokushima — and this was our very first time riding it. The train we chose was the Limited Express “Uzushio.”
At Takamatsu Station, a member of staff helpfully walked us through the return journey options. Given that trains run only once per hour, we were truly grateful for that advice — as we would come to appreciate very deeply later in the day.
Limited Express Uzushio is operated by JR Shikoku between Takamatsu and Tokushima. Running on diesel multiple units (DMUs), this line has limited departures, making advance timetable checks absolutely essential. Miss your train and you could be waiting up to an hour for the next one.
Our Destination: Otsuka Museum of Art | 20 Minutes by Bus from Naruto Station
Our destination was the Otsuka Museum of Art, located approximately 20 minutes by bus from Naruto Station.
“It’s just reproductions, right?” — you might be thinking. But this is truly no ordinary museum. It brings together ceramic-plate reproductions of masterpieces from around the world, offering experiences like no other:
View all seven of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers paintings side by side in one visit
See The Last Supper — both the pre-restoration and post-restoration versions — displayed together in the same room
Experience Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling reproduced at full scale
I actually visited here once during my student days, and seeing the Sistine Chapel ceiling here for the first time made the experience of seeing the real thing in Rome years later all the more moving. As a place to prepare yourself before encountering the originals, this museum is simply unmatched.
Otsuka Museum of Art is one of the largest ceramic art museums in the world, located in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. It features approximately 1,000 Western masterpieces from over 190 museums across 26 countries, all faithfully reproduced at original scale on ceramic panels — including the full Sistine Chapel. Admission: ¥3,300 for adults. Allow a minimum of 3–4 hours for your visit.
Soak Your Tired Feet at Naruto Station’s Free Foot Bath
After a thoroughly satisfying museum visit, we stopped at the free foot bath right in front of Naruto Station to rest our weary legs. The warm water was an absolute blessing after hours of walking.
It’s completely free to use, so make sure to stop by whenever you’re passing through Naruto Station. Your feet will thank you!
Beware of Ikenotani Station! A 20-Minute Wait in the Rain
The painful lesson of the return journey came at Ikenotani (池谷) Station — a transfer point that caught us completely off guard.
Standing in the pouring rain, we waited a full 20 minutes for the next Uzushio Limited Express toward Takamatsu. In Shikoku, where trains are infrequent, missing a connection can mean a very long wait.
Important Warning — Ikenotani Station Transfer: This is the junction between the Kotoku Line and the Naruto Line, but waiting facilities are very limited. On rainy days especially, this transfer requires careful planning. Always check the timetable in detail before you travel.
Why Checking Timetables in Advance Is Non-Negotiable in Shikoku
Despite securing a seat in the unreserved car, we didn’t make it back to Takamatsu Station until after 6:30 PM.
Compared to the mainland, train services in Shikoku are significantly less frequent. Miss a connection and you could be stranded for a very long time. If you have plans later in the day, meticulous timetable planning is absolutely essential.
Key Planning Tips for Shikoku Travel
Check transfer waiting times at every station in advance
Always confirm the time of the last limited express of the day
Build generous buffer time into your itinerary
Have a plan for waiting in bad weather
Mascots Take on the Oni Stone Statue at Takamatsu Station!
Back at Takamatsu Station, the Mascots immediately set their sights on the Oni (demon) stone statue in front of the station — made from the prized local Aji Stone. They insisted on climbing up for a photo, scrambled their way up… and then couldn’t get back down. Classic Mascots (laughs).
Meanwhile, at Naruto Station, they posed quietly and obediently at the feet of the local mascot Uzuhime-chan. Apparently even the Mascots are a little intimidated by demons (laughs). The contrast in their expressions makes for one of the best photos of the entire trip.
Aji Stone (庵治石) is a premium granite quarried in Kagawa Prefecture. Known for its exceptionally fine grain and beautiful lustre, it is often called the “Diamond of Granite” and is one of Japan’s most prized natural stones.
Summary | Otsuka Museum of Art Is an Absolute Must on Any Shikoku Itinerary
Item
Details
Access
Takamatsu → Uzushio Ltd. Express → Naruto Station → Bus approx. 20 min
Key Warning
Ikenotani Station transfer / trains once per hour
Foot Bath
In front of Naruto Station (free)
Admission
¥3,300 for adults
Recommended Time
Minimum 3–4 hours
Top Tip
Check timetables thoroughly the day before you travel!
Otsuka Museum of Art has far more to offer than a single day can do justice to. For a truly relaxed experience, we recommend staying overnight in Naruto or Tokushima and taking two days to fully explore the collection.
How late the Sendai Tanabata decorations are actually up on the final day (we checked in person)
Journey time from Tokyo to Sendai on the Hayabusa, with real departure and arrival times
How the station, our hotel and the festival arcade sit in relation to each other, and how long the walks take
Sendai food — grilled nodoguro, and a hotel late-night soba (with an allergy warning)
Leaving Tokyo at 16:44, on the Final Afternoon
Our “Tohoku Summer Trip 2025” began in Sendai, the City of Trees.
Sendai is home to the Sendai Tanabata Festival, held every year from 6 to 8 August. The only day we could get there was the last one, Friday 8 August — and everything we could find beforehand said the decorations came down around 6pm.
So why the final day, and why a late-afternoon departure? Because we had spent that morning at Tokyo Big Sight.
We were there for the railway convention we’d been forced to abandon the previous year because of a typhoon — a whole year’s wait, finally repaid. We stayed from 10am until 3pm, tore ourselves away, and hurried to Tokyo Station.
The train we threw ourselves onto was the Hayabusa No. 63, leaving Tokyo at 16:44.
Our journey Hayabusa No. 63, Tokyo 16:44 → Sendai 18:17 (1 hr 33 min, 351.8 km) Seats: Car 8, seats 19D and 19E (reserved)
Which meant that by the time we reached Sendai we were already seventeen minutes past the supposed finish. We spent most of the ride half resigned to missing it, agreeing that we’d run the moment we were off the platform.
The Sendai Tanabata Festival is one of the three great festivals of the Tohoku region, held annually from 6 to 8 August. Enormous handmade streamers fill the shopping arcades, drawing visitors from across the country, and a fireworks display is held on the eve of the festival.
The Festival Had Already Started Inside the Station
Coming through the ticket gates, we rather deflated — in a good way. The station concourse was already full of Tanabata decorations.
Streamers in red, blue and yellow hung from the ceiling, and the Shinkansen gates were framed by festival displays. The atmosphere had reached us before we’d even left the building.
So much for hurrying. We stopped right there.
The Hotel Was Five Minutes from the Station — First, a Wish
Rather than heading straight for the arcades, we checked in first, at the Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Ekimae, about a five-minute walk from the station. Carrying luggage through crowded arcades seemed like a poor idea.
The hotel had set up a traditional Tanabata display of its own — bamboo hung with tanzaku, the paper strips you write a wish on. It had probably been decades since either of us last wrote one. We kept it simple and wished for a safe journey.
A hotel that makes something of the season adds more to a trip than you’d expect.
Into the Hapina Nakakecho Arcade — Still Plenty to See at Nearly 7pm
We headed for the Hapina Nakakecho shopping arcade. Walking and looking up at the decorations along the way, it took about ten minutes. By the time we arrived it was nearly 7pm.
A full hour past the “around 6pm” we’d been told. And yet — the decorations were still very much there.
Stepping into the arcade, the streamers fill the space above you entirely. Each one is handmade by an individual shop, and the invention on display is remarkable. Our eyes drifted upwards and our walking pace collapsed. There are so many places you want to photograph that making forward progress becomes difficult.
There were plenty of other visitors, too. Well past 7pm, people were still wandering and taking photographs.
It was only when we walked back to the hotel after dinner that the decorations were finally beginning to come down.
How late can you see them on the final day? (measured on 8 August 2025) From what we saw, the decorations were still fully photographable until around 9pm on the last day — considerably later than the “around 6pm” we’d found beforehand. If you’re arriving on the final evening and thinking of giving up, it’s worth going anyway.
We’d thought of ourselves as “just making it.” In truth there was rather more room than that. We hope that’s useful to anyone else currently panicking about the time.
A few practical notes
The venue is a covered arcade, so rain isn’t a problem
Each arcade has its own themes and character
Evenings are busy — if you want a photograph without people in it, you’ll need patience
Finding Dinner Was the Hard Part
With the decorations seen, we went looking for dinner. This turned out to be the real challenge of the evening.
It was the last night of the festival, and every restaurant had a queue. The lines were long enough that we hesitated even at chain restaurants we’d normally walk past. After a hungry circuit of the area, we were drawn in by two characters on a sign — 伊達 (Date), the name of the samurai clan that founded Sendai — and stepped into a place called Kura no Sho (Date no Irori-yaki).
It was the right call. What we found there was grilled nodoguro.
The flesh is rich and falls apart in soft flakes, and the salt was judged perfectly — it dissolves in your mouth. It arrives whole, head to tail, the skin crisped over a charcoal grill. Put your chopsticks in and the flesh simply gives way. We both went quiet for a while.
Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) is a prized fish caught mainly along the Sea of Japan coast. It’s so rich that it’s sometimes called “the toro of white fish,” and grilling it with nothing but salt really is the best way to eat it.
Back at the Hotel: Kamo Nanban Soba
We were, in theory, completely full. Then we got back to the hotel and found the late-night service running. What we were given was kamo nanban soba — duck and leek soba. Not ramen: proper Japanese soba. We worked through the warm broth as the Sendai night wore on.
The Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Ekimae also offers free soft-serve ice cream and one free alcoholic drink. Between a late-night noodle bowl and dessert, there’s little need to overdo it out in town.
If you have a buckwheat allergy, please read this. Some Japanese hotel chains offer a free late-night noodle service known as yonaki soba, which despite the name is usually ramen — that is, wheat noodles. What we were served here was genuine soba, made from buckwheat. The names are similar; the ingredients are not. Buckwheat allergy can be severe. If it affects you, please check what’s actually being served before accepting it.
The Next Day: North to Kakunodate on the Komachi
Having had our fill of the Sendai evening, we headed further north the following day, boarding the Akita Shinkansen Komachi for Kakunodate.
Summary | Arriving on the Final Evening Still Works
Getting there
Hayabusa No. 63, Tokyo 16:44 → Sendai 18:17 (1 hr 33 min, 351.8 km)
Festival dates
6–8 August, annually
Decorations on the final day
Still photographable until around 9pm (confirmed 8 August 2025)
Where we stayed
Richmond Hotel Premier Sendai Ekimae, about 5 min from the station
Hotel to the arcade
About 10 min on foot to Hapina Nakakecho
What to see
Handmade streamers in the arcades; displays inside Sendai Station
What to eat
Grilled nodoguro (Kura no Sho); kamo nanban soba at the hotel
Hotel extras
Late-night soba, soft-serve ice cream, one free drink
Booking note
Rooms go early during the festival — and restaurants queue on the final night
Next stop
Kakunodate, by Komachi
Arriving on the final evening turned out to be perfectly workable. Finishing work and throwing yourself onto a Shinkansen is a more realistic plan than it sounds.
Redemption at Last — This Year, We Finally Made It!
8 August 2025, Tokyo Big Sight. We finally made it to the railway convention we’d had to abandon the previous year because of a typhoon.
The summer before, we were in Kanazawa. The plan for the following day was to travel to Tokyo for this very event — but it coincided with a typhoon making landfall in the Kanto region. We held an emergency meeting the night before, gave up on Tokyo, and turned back west toward Nagoya via Toyama and Takayama instead.
We carried that disappointment around for a year. And this year’s theme turned out to be freight trains — which settled it. The mascots were more than ready.
What is the Railway Convention? A major event bringing together railway models, goods, and exhibitions — a must-attend gathering for railway enthusiasts from across Japan. Held at Tokyo Big Sight, it’s an event by railway fans, for railway fans, with the focus firmly on display and community rather than sales.
Getting to Tokyo Big Sight
Access to the venue is straightforward and convenient.
By Train
Yurikamome Line: 3-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimom Station
Rinkai Line: 7-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station
When Is It Held? The Railway Convention takes place once a year. Keep an eye on the official website and social media for announcements about dates and details.
So Many Types of Railway Fans! Overwhelmed by the Depth of the Hobby
Stepping into the venue, the vast floor of Tokyo Big Sight was packed wall-to-wall with railway-related displays.
What struck us most was the sheer diversity. “Railway fan” turns out to be an umbrella term covering a remarkable range of passions:
Shinkansen enthusiasts — collecting models and materials on every generation of bullet train
Steam locomotive devotees — deeply passionate about the mechanics and history of SL trains
Tram fans — dedicated to the charming tram networks found across Japan
Freight train followers — exploring the overlooked world of cargo rail
Station building admirers — visiting and documenting unique station architecture nationwide
Rather than a sales event, the atmosphere was that of an exhibition that goes far beyond the level of a hobby — you could feel the love and dedication radiating from every display. This was a place where the true depth of the railway enthusiast’s world could be felt in person.
Rediscovering the Appeal of Freight Trains — This Year’s Theme
This year’s theme was “Freight Trains” — a side of railway culture that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves. Yet freight trains are the unsung heroes of Japan’s logistics network.
Freight Train Fun Facts
JR Freight operates cargo services across Japan’s rail network
Types include container trains, tank wagons, and vehicle transport trains
Many freight trains run late at night or in the early hours — making them rare and exciting targets for railway photographers
Thanks to this convention, we discovered a whole new dimension to enjoying railways — the world of freight!
The Exhibit We Loved Most: The Real “Ozashiki Train”!
Among all the displays, the one that captured the Mascots’ hearts completely was this one.
A “tatami room train” — a miniature layout built on a traditional Japanese tatami mat, with freight trains and limited express vehicles running across it.
There’s something wonderfully heartwarming about watching tiny trains glide across a tatami floor. You could almost picture the joy of the person who put it together — every detail spoke of genuine affection for the hobby.
It was a moment that reminded us: there are no rules when it comes to enjoying model trains. Intricate dioramas, humorous displays — the freedom of expression is exactly what makes this world so endlessly fascinating.
“Ozashiki Train” traditionally refers to a tourist train with a Japanese-style tatami interior. But this display offered a wonderfully playful reinterpretation — running models on top of a tatami mat. Pure creative genius!
The Beautiful Diversity of “Loving Something”
The most lasting impression from this year’s convention wasn’t any single exhibit — it was the remarkable diversity of the people who love railways.
People meticulously crafting intricate models. People whose joy comes purely from watching trains run. Photographers. Collectors. Historians. All united by a shared love of railways, yet each finding their own completely unique way to express it.
With freight trains as the theme, we also gained a new appreciation for a corner of railway culture that rarely gets its moment in the sun. Broadening your gaze beyond the trains you ride to include the ones that keep Japan moving — it opens up a whole new world of railway enjoyment.
Thinking About Starting Model Trains?
After walking through the convention, it’s hard not to feel inspired to try model railways yourself! For beginners, N gauge is the recommended starting point.
Why N Gauge?
Compact size — doesn’t take up much space
Wide price range — accessible for beginners
Huge variety of vehicles available
Highly expandable — you can grow your layout gradually
Summary | The Railway Convention Is a Must for Every Railway Fan
Item
Details
Event Name
Railway Convention 2025
Venue
Tokyo Big Sight
This Year’s Theme
Freight Trains
Access
3-min walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimom Station (Yurikamome)
Highlights
Displays that go far beyond hobby level
Top Exhibit
The tatami-mat train layout
Recommended For
Railway fans, model enthusiasts, families
This year’s convention — our long-awaited redemption visit — exceeded every expectation. The depth of passion in the railway community, and the sheer joy of people sharing what they love, made for an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to see what theme next year’s convention will bring!
We spent five solid hours at the venue, from 10am to 3pm. And then we hurried straight to Tokyo Station — because that same evening, we were carrying on north.
We threw ourselves onto the Hayabusa No. 63, departing Tokyo at 16:44, bound for Sendai. It was the final day of the Sendai Tanabata Festival.
If you’re travelling in from a distance, carrying straight on with a trip after the convention works rather well. Catch an evening Shinkansen, as we did, and you can be a long way from Tokyo by nightfall.
What we actually paid to travel Osaka–Kyoto on a limited express
Buying a limited express ticket thirteen minutes before departure
How long to allow at the Kyoto Railway Museum, and when to claim the SL ride ticket
A weekday between holidays versus the middle of Golden Week — how different the crowds really are
Why Take the Thunderbird from Osaka to Kyoto at All?
Osaka to Kyoto takes about thirty minutes on an ordinary train. We chose the Limited Express Thunderbird anyway.
The mascots insisted on it. Riding a Tsuruga-bound limited express just as far as Kyoto felt slightly absurd — but a good number of overseas visitors were doing exactly the same thing, which told us something about the Thunderbird’s appeal.
First visit — the journey (1 May 2024, Wednesday) Limited Express Thunderbird No. 21 — Osaka 12:12 → Kyoto 12:39 (27 minutes) Seats: Car 9, seats 16C and 16D (ordinary car) WESTER Point Ticketless: ¥450 + 200 points per person This is the limited express charge only — a separate base fare ticket is also required
We Bought the Ticket Thirteen Minutes Before Departure
This is the part worth passing on.
The payment went through at 11:59. The train left at 12:12. Thirteen minutes.
People will tell you to book limited express seats well in advance. For this particular journey, we bought it on a phone after arriving at the station — and with points applied, it came to ¥450 per person.
You can decide on a whim to take the express and still make it. Since realising that, the trip to Kyoto has felt a little more indulgent.
The second visit (below) was much the same: purchased 43 minutes before departure.
A note for visitors from overseas The WESTER Point Ticketless fare we used requires a JR West WESTER account and accumulated points, so it isn’t something most short-term visitors can take advantage of. The transferable point is this: on the Osaka–Kyoto stretch, the Thunderbird does not need booking weeks ahead. Seats were available shortly before departure on both of our visits. If you’re deciding on the day, you have options.
Getting to the Kyoto Railway Museum
It’s about a twenty-minute walk from Kyoto Station — but only two minutes on foot from JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station. With luggage, or on a hot day, the second option is far better.
Claim the SL Steam Locomotive Ticket the Moment You Arrive
What got the mascots most excited was the SL Steam Locomotive ride — carriages pulled by a genuine steam engine. It’s a short run, but it holds adults just as firmly.
The ride requires a separate numbered ticket. We claimed ours immediately on entering, which turned out to be the right call.
We have form here. At another railway museum we left it until after looking round the exhibits, and by then the tickets for the equivalent attraction were long gone.
At a railway museum, get the numbered ticket first. The exhibits will wait. The tickets won’t.
The Model Railway Diorama Show
An intricately built townscape with trains running through it. The mascots pressed their faces to the glass — “That train’s moving! It looks real!”
There are also driving simulators, though we didn’t try those on this visit. Something for next time.
We Stayed Four Hours, Including Lunch
We ate at the museum restaurant and spent four hours there in total.
The building has three floors, and the highlights are spread widely.
1F Promenade and Main Hall — a C62 steam locomotive among others, with some vehicles you can board and sit in the driver’s seat
2F Vehicle & System — how railways work and how they developed, with plenty of hands-on displays
3F Observation Terrace — views over Kyoto and Umekoji Park, and you can watch real trains running
The roundhouse — over twenty preserved vehicles arranged around a turntable. This is the showpiece
Two hours for a quick visit; four if you want to take your time. That’s a fair way to plan it.
The Souvenir: Chocolate-Coated Baumkuchen
From the museum shop we picked up a chocolate-coated baumkuchen (¥864 including tax).
The packaging carries a railway design and is almost too nice to open. We opened it, and it was very good. The shop is strong on sweets as well as the usual railway merchandise.
Then in 2026, We Came Back for the 10th Anniversary
The Kyoto Railway Museum opened on 29 April, and reached its tenth anniversary in 2026.
We returned to mark it on 3 May 2026.
The Museum Was Decked Out for the Anniversary
The entrance carried elaborate anniversary decorations, with more scattered throughout the building. At the photo spots the mascots elbowed each other out of the way to pose.
In front of the steam locomotives and Shinkansen it was the same — “Take a photo with me!” “Me too!” The atmosphere of a place marking ten years is infectious.
We Got the 10th Anniversary Commemorative Ticket
The object of the day was the 10th anniversary commemorative ticket. The mascots were airborne when we managed to get hold of one.
Commemorative tickets are issued in limited numbers. If you want to be certain of one, arriving as the museum opens is the safe approach.
And the Thunderbird Home Again
Second visit — the journey (3 May 2026, Sunday) Limited Express Thunderbird No. 26 — Kyoto 16:10 → Shin-Osaka 16:32 (22 minutes) Seats: Car 5, seats 7A and 7B (ordinary car) WESTER Point Ticketless: ¥450 + 200 points per person Purchased 43 minutes before departure
Faced with that blue streamlined nose again, the mascots were every bit as excited as the first time. They sank into their seats and talked through the day all the way home.
When to Go | What Two Visits Taught Us About Crowds
This is the part we could only write by going twice.
First visit
Second visit
Date
1 May 2024 (Wednesday)
3 May 2026 (Sunday)
Timing
A working day between holidays
The middle of Golden Week
Crowds
Genuinely quiet
Busy throughout
Golden Week is Japan’s cluster of public holidays running from late April into early May, and it is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. But it isn’t uniform: a few working days fall in the middle of it, and they behave completely differently.
The museum’s own anniversary falls on 29 April, which pulls extra visitors in during exactly this period. Go on one of the working days in the gap, though, and it was remarkably comfortable.
If your dates are flexible, aim for a weekday in the middle of Golden Week rather than the holidays themselves. If you’re going for an anniversary event, accept the crowds and arrive as the doors open.
Kyoto Railway Museum — Basic Information
Address
Kankiji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Access
2 min walk from JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station / about 20 min from Kyoto Station
Hours
10:00–17:30 (last entry 17:00)
Closed
Wednesdays (the following day if a public holiday), and over New Year
Admission
¥1,500 adults / ¥1,300 university and high school / ¥500 junior high and elementary / ¥200 age 3+
Dates visited
1 May 2024 and 3 May 2026
The museum was open on the Wednesday of our first visit, during the Golden Week period. Check the official site for current opening days before you go.Prices are subject to change.
Summary | Taking the Express on Purpose
Journey
Limited Express Thunderbird (Osaka–Kyoto 27 min / Kyoto–Shin-Osaka 22 min)
Limited express charge
¥450 + 200 points with WESTER Point Ticketless (base fare separate)
If You Can Guess This From the Photo, You’re Quite the Expert
A question to start with: can you tell where this is?
Gachapin and Mook are waving. And then, for some reason, an enormous turnip.
“Wait — a turnip?” We genuinely did a double take.
Fairy Tales Hidden All Over the Place
Look closely and there are stories tucked in everywhere.
Snow White
Moon viewing
The Three Little Pigs
The Crab and the Monkey
There’s something irresistible about this particular sense of humour.
he Answer Is… the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
This is the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya. We visited on 7 October 2023.
It’s a museum covering the history and future of the Shinkansen and maglev — but everything in those opening photographs comes from the museum’s diorama. More on that below.
The Maglev in the Flesh — “Why Is Its Face So Long?”
True to the name, the unmissable exhibit is the actual superconducting maglev vehicle.
The mascots’ first reaction on seeing it was this:
“Why is its face so long?”
Fair enough — that distinctive streamlined nose really does make an impression the first time. It’s a futuristic shape, quite different from a Shinkansen, and we stood looking at it for some time.
There’s a section explaining how superconducting maglev works, and the answer to “why is the face so long” is in there too. It leaves you rather keen for the day it actually runs.
A Lineup of Historic Shinkansen
The other major draw is the collection of actual Shinkansen vehicles. The 0 Series, 100 Series and 300 Series all gathered in one hall is quite a sight.
The one with real presence for us was the 151 Series limited express. The polished bodywork carries the engineering of its era rather well.
The Driving Simulators — We Didn’t Get to Try Them
The driving simulators are a popular attraction. To be honest about it: we didn’t get to use them.
Some of the simulators run on a numbered-ticket system, and they’re claimed almost as soon as the museum opens. By the time we thought about it, we were far too late.
If you’re going, check the numbered-ticket situation as soon as you’re through the door. Looking at the exhibits first is exactly what we did wrong. Homework for next time.
We Spent Nearly Two Hours in Front of the Diorama
Those opening photographs — Gachapin and Mook, the giant turnip, Snow White — all come from the museum’s diorama, one of the largest railway dioramas in Japan.
It recreates a day in Japan along the Tokaido Shinkansen: city blocks, farmland, hot spring towns in the mountains, all built in fine detail.
The remarkable part is the lighting, which moves through morning, afternoon and night. What’s more, the diorama compresses a full 24 hours into 20 minutes. Lights come on across the town at nightfall, and the Shinkansen runs with its headlights lit. Those twenty minutes are genuinely beautiful.
How far did it draw us in? We watched the 20-minute cycle two and a half times.
But that isn’t the whole of it. We stayed in front of the diorama during the gaps between cycles as well. All told, we spent close to two hours at this one exhibit.
The reason is that you look at different things during the cycle and between cycles. While the lighting is moving, your eye follows the whole scene changing. When it’s still, you can work through the detail properly. It was during those still periods that we spotted the fairy-tale characters.
Gachapin and Mook, the giant turnip, Snow White. Walk past once and you will not find them.
It’s easy to see why so many visitors say they enjoyed it despite not knowing much about railways. Hunting for Snow White with a child would be good fun.
The Doctor Yellow Exhibit Opened in June 2025
This happened after our visit, but the Doctor Yellow exhibit opened on 14 June 2025.
Doctor Yellow — the yellow inspection train said to bring good luck to anyone who spots it — ended scheduled operation in 2024. Having the actual vehicle on permanent display is reason enough to return.
We haven’t seen it yet. Next time we’re in Nagoya, we intend to go back properly — this time with a simulator ticket in hand and enough time set aside.
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park — Basic Information
Address
3-2-2 Kinjofuto, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Access
2 minutes on foot from Kinjofuto Station on the Aonami Line
Opening hours
10:00–17:30 (closed Tuesdays)
Admission
¥1,000 adults / ¥500 school age / free for preschool children
Date visited
7 October 2023
Prices and opening hours are subject to change — please check the official site before visiting.
Summary | Two Hours Disappear at the Diorama Alone
Highlight
In short
Superconducting maglev
That long nose, in person
Historic Shinkansen
0, 100 and 300 Series lined up
The diorama
24 hours in 20 minutes. We watched two and a half cycles and stayed nearly two hours
Driving simulators
Numbered tickets — claim one as you arrive
Doctor Yellow
On display since 14 June 2025
It’s a place that works for families as much as for railway enthusiasts. Give the diorama more time than you think it needs — we ended up spending close to two hours at that one exhibit.
