Umekōji Steam Locomotive Museum

The Umekōji Steam Locomotive Museum is a railway museum in Shimogyō ward in Kyoto, Japan, housed inside a circular locomotive depot built from reinforced concrete. Around 50 rail vehicles rest on tracks within the roundhouse, while a small outdoor area displays additional locomotives and rolling stock.

The depot was built in 1914 as an operational facility and served for decades as a maintenance center for steam locomotives in the region. Its conversion into a museum took place in 1972 to mark the centennial anniversary of railway service in Japan.

The name Umekōji refers to a former district used for steam operations and rail yards. The turntable at the center of the roundhouse shows how locomotives were rotated and distributed before their next journey.

The visit combines easily with a walk in the nearby Umekōji Park, where modern railway lines remain visible. Wednesdays see the museum closed, except on public holidays or during school vacation periods in Japan.

An outdoor section displays a short stretch of track where historic steam trains sometimes run and passengers take a brief loop ride. The second floor in the administration building houses driving simulators where visitors may operate a locomotive or a high-speed train themselves.

Location: Shimogyō-ku

Inception: October 10, 1972

Official opening: October 10, 1972

Website: http://mtm.or.jp/uslm

GPS coordinates: 34.98720,135.74300

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:02