SCMAGLEV and Railway Park is a railway museum in Minato Ward, southern Nagoya, run by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). It opened in March 2011 and displays 39 full-size trains, from a 1913 steam locomotive and postwar passenger trains to several generations of Shinkansen and the superconducting Maglev. Start at the entrance display, then move on to the trains, the large railway diorama and the simulators. An English audio guide explains the detail on each train.
Opened by JR Central in 2011
SCMAGLEV and Railway Park opened in March 2011. It is run by Central Japan Railway Company, usually called JR Central, which built the Tokaido Shinkansen. The company operates in the Chubu region of central Japan, and the collection reflects that railway history.
The museum stands on Kinjofuto, a reclaimed island in Minato Ward, in the port district south of the city centre. It sits next to Legoland Japan. Visitors reach it on the private Aonami Line, which is not a JR line, and the station is a two minute walk from the museum. The main station is under half an hour away by the same line.
The trains on display
The museum shows 39 full-size trains. The oldest is a steam locomotive from 1913. Other displays include passenger and conventional trains used after the war, several generations of Shinkansen, and the superconducting Maglev.
Some retired carriages are open for visitors to step into, so you can see the driver's cabin and the passenger areas from inside. Visitors also come to see a retired Shinkansen nicknamed the Yellow Doctor.
A next-generation SCMAGLEV is planned to begin service in 2027. The museum notes that it is expected to cover the Tokyo to Nagoya route in about 40 minutes.
The entrance display
As you enter, a symbol display brings together three trains that each set a world speed record in their time: the C62 steam locomotive, the Class 955 experimental Shinkansen (300X), and the MLX01-1 superconducting Maglev. The trains are spotlit, which suits their scale.
Spend a few minutes here before moving to the main galleries. Apart from a couple of outdoor exhibits, the whole museum is indoors and climate controlled.
Simulators, diorama and the model train room
The large diorama shows a train network from Nagoya to Tokyo and Osaka, built around a miniature cityscape. Projection mapping and the model train room run at set showtimes, so check the schedule when you arrive and plan the rest of your visit around it.
The simulators include a Shinkansen driving simulator and a simulation of a train running at 500 kilometres per hour. Some simulators let younger children open and close the doors, so they can play at being conductors.
Visiting with children and access
Children get the most from the simulators and from sitting in real train cars. The museum has a children's play area and a theatre that hosts live performances. The souvenir shop is stocked with train-themed toys and memorabilia.
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and there is a changing table. An English audio guide and a mobile audio guide are available. Bring a headset if you plan to use the mobile audio guide.
Food and the shop
The on-site restaurant offers a limited choice, and bento meals can arrive cold. Eat before you arrive or plan a meal nearby, and leave time to browse the shop before you leave.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. The museum charges admission, and parking at the site is paid.
Do I need to book in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. The Shinkansen simulator requires a booking in advance, while the other simulators are walk-in.
How long do you need?
Plan 2 to 3 hours to see the trains, the diorama and the simulators.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The exhibits are interactive, and children can sit in real train cars and try the simulators.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, restroom and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and there is a changing table.
