Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum, Okayama: Video Introduction

Photo：Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

This video, titled "[Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum] A Great Facility for Kids! A Railway Museum Full of Learning and Discovery (Tsuyama, Okayama)" (【津山まなびの鉄道館】こどもたちも大喜び！まなびと発見がいっぱいの鉄道館（岡山県津山市）), was uploaded by "Okayama Haretabi: Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Guide" (おかやまハレ旅:岡山県観光連盟).
Check out what the facility is like in the short, 1-minute video!

Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum: Admission Fees, Opening Hours, and Facility Information

Photo：A steam locomotive at the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum is a museum (railroad preservation and exhibition facility) that exhibits railway-related items, opened at Tsuyama Station in Tsuyama, Okayama, in Japan's Chugoku Region. The museum is operated by the Tsuyama City Tourist Agency.

The former Tsuyama Fan-Shaped Locomotive Depot was reopened on April 2, 2008, with the aim of enabling visitors to enjoy learning about the relationship between society, regional development, and the railroad.

In addition to trains, railway turntables, and a steam locomotive driving wheel, the facility includes a corner where visitors can learn about the history of railroads in Okayama and how railroads work. There is also an exhibition corner with a diorama of the cityscape of Tsuyama.

Admission is 310 yen for adults, 100 yen for junior high school and elementary school students, and free for children not yet of elementary school age. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 16:00 pm and closed on Mondays.

A Locomotive Depot With a One-Of-A-Kind Train

Photo：A DE50-1 diesel locomotive at the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

The former Tsuyama Fan-Shaped Locomotive Depot, built in 1936, is the second largest existing facility of its kind in Japan, following the Kyoto Railway Museum in Umekoji, Kyoto.
The fan-shaped locomotive depot has 17 tracks and is 22.1m (72.5 ft) deep, and displays a total of 13 locomotives, including a DD51 diesel locomotive, KiHa 58 and KiHa 28 diesel locomotives, and a KiHa 181 diesel locomotive.

The highlight of the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum is the DE50-1 diesel locomotive. This diesel locomotive is equipped with a high-horsepower engine, and only one was manufactured in Japan in 1970. This diesel locomotive is a must-see for railroad fans, and is only exhibited in Japan at the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum.

Another eye-catching feature of the museum is the steam locomotive driving wheel. The driving wheel belong to a JNR Class C57 No. 68, the largest size of steam locomotives of its kind in Japan, and is 5 ft. 8 in. across and weighs 3,480kg (3.8 tons).

The powerful whistle of the Class D51 No. 755 steam locomotive is sounded at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm on days when the museum is normally open, delighting the ears of visitors.

Family-Friendly Facilities

Photo：A diorama in the Machinami Room at the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

In addition to exhibits such as steam locomotives, the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum is also equipped with family-friendly facilities that children and families can enjoy together.

First, visitors can learn about the history of railroads in Okayama and how they work through hands-on activities. The Ayumi Room introduces the history of the Okayama Railroad and events from when railroads first appeared in Japan up to the present day. In the Shikumi Room, visitors can learn about the technology and ingenuity used to ensure the safety and comfort of the railroads, using hands-on equipment.

Next is the Machinami Room, which displays a diorama of the Tsuyama cityscape. Visitors can see N scale model trains running through the Tsuyama cityscape, which even includes the former Tsuyama Fan-Shaped Locomotive Depot. It's an enjoyable time for both children and train enthusiasts.

You can also learn about the history through photos, tickets, timetables used during that period, and retro station name plates. The Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum also has a Manabi Room that can be used for field trips, where a DVD introducing the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum is shown together with an orientation session. There are also railway-related souvenirs that can only be purchased here, goods made in collaboration with the Kyoto Railway Museum, and original goods of the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum are also available.

Other Things to Do in Tsuyama

Here are some other things places to throw on your itinerary when visiting Tsuyama.

Tsuyama Castle

Photo：Tsuyama Castle, Okayama

Tsuyama Castle is a castle built by order of Mori Tadamasa, a military commander of the Warring States period, and younger brother of Mori Ranmaru, who was killed in the Honnoji Incident (the assassination of Oda Nobunaga).
Although the main castle tower was demolished in accordance with Haijo Edict (a law abolishing castles in Japan during the Meiji Period), many other structures still remain, and spring sees the blooming of cherry blossoms around the castle.

Hours: (April - September) 8:40 am - 7:00 pm, (October - March) 8:40 am - 5:00 pm.
※7:30 am - 10:00 pm during the Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival
Admission Fee: (Adults) 310 yen. Middle school students and younger are free
※Discounts are available for groups of 30 or more.

Shurakuen Garden

Photo：Shurakuen Garden, Okayama

Shurakuen Garden is a Japanese garden located in Tsuyama, Okayama, that was built in 1658 by Mori Nagatsugu, the lord of the Tsuyama Domain. The garden has beautiful ponds and is a great place to go for a walk.
Visitors to the garden can enjoy viewing cherry blossoms in spring, water lilies in summer, and beautiful autumn leaves in the fall.

Hours: (April - October) 7:00 am - 8:00 pm, (November - March) 7:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Admission Fee: Free

Summary of the Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

Photo：Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

The Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum is a family-friendly facility that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It's a valuable facility for passing on the valuable history of railroads to future generations, as it's designed to help elementary and junior high school students deepen their understanding of railroads.

The Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum has a parking lot that can accommodate approximately 35 cars, making it possible for families to visit by car. That being said, if you're a train enthusiast, you'll probably enjoy coming by train! The museum also hosts various events, such as a quiz rally and a train-washing experience. If you're traveling to Okayama and looking for things to do, consider stopping by!

【Official Website】Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum

【TripAdvisor】Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum