New Annex of Railway Museum Unveiled ahead of Opening

June 27, 2018

Saitama- The Railway Museum in the city of Saitama, north of Tokyo, on Tuesday unveiled to the media its new annex, which will be shown to the public from July 5.

The museum started work to renovate its entire facility last year, 10 years after its opening in 2007.

The new annex features exhibitions on work, and the history and future of railways, as well as a Shinkansen bullet train simulator.

The simulator allows visitors to experience operating the E5 series train, used mainly on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line of East Japan Railway Co. <9020>, or JR East, while feeling its maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour.

The annex has a different simulator, which enables visitors to experience the job of a conductor.

At areas introducing some 140 years of Japan's railway history, items showing technological advancements are on display. The annex has a section allowing visitors to think about future railway systems.

"The Railway Museum has become more attractive, so we hope visitors will enjoy it with friends and families," its manger, Toshihisa Miyagi, said. Jiji Press