Railway Museum

On Sunday we did a day trip to the Railway Museum in Oomia. 　This museum is definitely not just for sad old trainspotter types - there is a lot that their daughter and wive can enjoy as well.

Right now Hanna is very keen on trains and was literally shaking with excitement when we walked in ("gatan goton!, gatan goton!").



It is difficult to overstate how well designed this museum is, especially for kids. For example, the location is just between the 2 main lines north out of Tokyo so from the lunch and observation areas kids can watch different shinkansen and regular trains go past.



Also there are many excellent hands-on activities like train driving simiulators and even a minature railway where kids can drive 3-seater trains around a track (mum and dad can sit in the back). It has a automatic train control system so the trains can't crash into each other.





This is Japans largest HO scale model railway. Its so popular that you have to que up for a half-hour show. Hanna was very excited by this and kept shouting 'shinkansen!'.





The man in the left rear of the set gives some idea of the size. He is on his way to fix a de-railment in one of the tunnels.


Hanna playing with Shinkansen toys in one of the free play areas. This area was kindly sponsored by Tomika, maker of Shinkansen toy trains.