Train enthusiasts shouldn't miss this impressive, expensively produced railway-history museum located about thirty minutes north of Shinjuku in Saitama Prefecture. The showpiece here is a collection of thirty-five real train cars and full-size reproductions from various eras, including steam locomotives and passenger cars from the 1870s and 1880s.

Even more popular with younger visitors, though, is the massive, highly detailed HO-gauge model train layout on the second floor, which measures 200 square meters. Younger kids will also get a kick out of the miniature railway located behind the museum's main building (advance reservations needed), and visitors of all ages can try their hand behind the wheel of five different train simulators, including the world's only steam-locomotive simulator.

The ground-floor museum shop sells a lot of cute train-related toys and merchandise, and the second-floor cafeteria is recommended for its Y250 drinks bar, which includes unlimited cappucino and cafe latte.

See also the photo album on Facebook.