Japan has always been famous for their innovation in mobility. They pioneered the high speed shinkansen, also known as the “bullet train”. It can run at speeds up to 320 km/h. On 21st April 2015, Japan once again shattered all records when its SCMaglev L0 train reaches a new world speed of 603 km/h. The Central Railway Company (JR Central) opened the SCMaglev and Railway Park in 2011 to showcase both historic steam locomotives as well as new technologically advanced transport systems.
The museum currently displays a collection of 39 actual life-sized train cars including various types of steam trains, bullet trains and the newest superconducting maglev MLX01-1. Many of these cabins are opened for visitors to enter and see the interior as passengers would.
Visitors can learn about the history and mechanism of the railways through their informative exhibits spread across two levels in the museum. There is also a mini theatre which has 55 seats and visitors are educated on the progression of railway transport.
The museum also has a room filled with dioramas. Visitors can view famous cities in Japan and how the trains bring people around the country. Everything is well-detailed and reproduced as accurately as possible.
There are also many attractions such as the Conventional Train Driving Simulator & Train Crew Simulator and the Shinkansen Train Driving Simulator. However, tickets to these attractions require additional charges and are only available through a lottery system. My family and I didn’t have enough time, so we chose to forgo the experience.
Visitors can also enjoy the original SCMaglev and railway lunch boxes sold at the museum’s canteen. Although the food isn’t bad, it is a tad overpriced and only passable in quality. Perhaps, it’s because the food is not reheated.
Additional Information*
Operating Hours: 10am-5.30pm (last admission 5pm)
Holidays: Closed on Tuesdays (Wednesday if public holiday falls on Tuesday)
Admission Fee: 1000 yen ($12 SGD) for Adults, 500 yen ($6 SGD) for Students, 200 yen ($2.50 SGD) for Children
Address: 3-2-2, Kinjofuto, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-0848, Aichi Prefecture
Telephone: 50-3772-3910
Website: http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/
*All information and prices provided are subjected to changes
Operating Hours: 10am-5.30pm (last admission 5pm)
Holidays: Closed on Tuesdays (Wednesday if public holiday falls on Tuesday)
Admission Fee: 1000 yen ($12 SGD) for Adults, 500 yen ($6 SGD) for Students, 200 yen ($2.50 SGD) for Children
Address: 3-2-2, Kinjofuto, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-0848, Aichi Prefecture
Telephone: 50-3772-3910
Website: http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/
*All information and prices provided are subjected to changes