Hara Model Railway Museum in Kawasaki

Excellent

Amazing diorama and a lot of scale models with incredible details. If you’re ever in Yokohama, it’s a must visit for only 1000¥

ＪＲ東海道本線横浜駅東口より横浜駅東口歩道橋を渡り右手方向へ首都高速横羽線に沿って歩いて行くのが分かりやすい。凡そ徒歩にして１０分程度である。現在は事前予約の必要はないが先に１Ｆにあるファミリーマートにて当日券チケットを発行してもらう必要はあるので事前予約をした方が手間がないだろう。当日券を購入される方は購入機器に丁寧な説明があるので難しくはない。チケット入手後はエスカレーターを上がり、消毒、検温を経てチケットのチェックを受けて入館となる。原信太郎氏が作製及び収集した日本においては主流の9mmNゲージや16.5mmHOゲージより大きい32mmOゲージや45mmサイズの１番ゲージは見応えがあり、電車好き模型好きの方にはお薦めである。なかでも世界でも最大規模と言われる１番ゲージのジオラマは圧巻である。

原先生の幼少の頃からの貴重な情報が満載です。どのように製作を重ねたのか秘伝とも言える情報にも触れることができます。また先生の使われた時代ごとのカメラやビデオも展示されており先生のこだわりも感じられます。一番切符も展示されていて当時のご苦労が偲ばれます。圧巻は鉄道のジオラマです。ホンモノさながらの電車がパンタグラフから供給される電気で走り、ガタンゴトンの音に癒されて長くいても時間があっという間に過ぎてしまうような感覚です。みなとみらいのジオラマも一日の時間の変遷が再現され一種独特な雰囲気に浸れます。マニアには素晴らしい場所ですね。このような鉄道模型の歴史を切り拓いてくれた原先生に感謝し、この博物館を誠心誠意、毎日メンテされる皆様に頭が下がる思いです。時間が許せば、何度でも来たい場所ですね。来させて頂きありがとうございました。

Awesome place, even for adults!

Recommended for authentic Japanese food.

Nice little place

very nice

If youre into model railways then look no further. Hara Model Railways is a great place to learn about the history of trains in Japan. They have two model railways, one of which is a diorama of Yokohama. I highly recommend the virtual train driver experience which lets you drive the model train using controls from a real train.

Very nice place.. could stay there all day. 2 different rooms of trains modles.. today was Thimas the train day for kids.. and big kids..

Kids loves this place very much❤

Toy Train exhibit. Good place for Children, can spend about 1hr.

For the train aficionados, the 1000-yen entrance fee may not seem too pricey. One visit is enough.

The several places to visit in this building besides the train Museum

Huge and very detailed moving train display with changing time of day and lights. Also many trains on display of different types and ages

Well worth the price of admission! Need model train set up they have there is world-class!

Beautiful collection of model trains. Its amazing that Hara had so many in his possession. It is a small museum, so if you are limited with your budget (not expensive, but in terms of price and the size of the exhibit, some may find it has less bang for their buck if in a larger family/group).Nice area for kids to play with trains and babies to crawl around and stretch their legs. If you are a train enthusiast or have a little one that loves trains, definitely a must see. If you arent interested in model trains at all, you could skip it. But yes, I love miniatures!!!

Amazing!!!!! Even got to give train driving ago

Excellent place... especially if you’re into model trains. Went during the weekday and it was super quiet. If you’re able to sign up for a slot to drive the simulator... do so!! The staff was super nice and helpful as well.

Wonderful museum, great English information and very well displayed!

If you like model trains and history, this is the place for you! Amazing Dioramas on display here

The museum has a large collection of models. While you could think that it is originally aimed to kids, the museum is more likely to attract adults despite a Thomas train exhibition in the summer for young kids. They have a large room with trains running around. Nevertheless, not much is going there for kids. Train passion is commonly shared by kids and adults in Japan, many adults collecting train pictures or models. The musuem is therefore relatively expensive if you bring your kids along. If you want to have a more interactive environment with trains for your kids I suggest you go to the tramway museum in Yokohama where your kids will be able to go inside real trams.

Kiddo really enjoyed it, but I think it was a bit expensive. There are two train museums in Tokyo much cheaper which are just as good.

Went there to kill boredom on a rainy day. We absolutely loved it, even my wife who is not even interested at all in model trains. Kids (2 and 5loved it.First a couple of rooms with lots of beautiful models on display, then a massive layout, complete with lighting that change to represent day, sunset, night, sunrise and so on, and lots of different trains travelling through it. And a smaller one of modern Yokohama, equally beautiful. There is also a room where small kids can play.Definitely recommended.

Very well curated layout. Great place to see the work that one man can do. Very nice place for kids, too.

This place is AMAZING! The staff are polite and friendly and there is a lot of train exhibits. The massive working model railway set is huge and it blew my mind!

Train geek paradise. To men and boys, from senior citizens to 3 years old, its one of the most wonderful places on earth. I loved it! The few women I saw there looked bored out of their minds, mostly sitting and staring into their cell phones, waiting for their little boys of all ages to say they are ready to leave. Haha

Excellent place to visit. If you like or love trains or at least at Thomas the Engine, then this is the must-do place for you. At lot of all kinds of trains and models. A huge area to see trains move and also for smaller kids a small play area to play with the tracks and trains. A wonderful place!

Very nice little museum. Went for the Thomas exhibition and my daughter really loved it. They have some nice extras for kids like a stamp rally, games and a free toy giveaway.

Nice museum. Interactive. Lots of pieces to see...

Not a huge venue but the quality is very high. Handmade models on display are exquisitely done. All by one man too if my translations were correct. Models were not only Japanese but also European. If anything mostly European. There are two large working layouts. One in O and the other in HO. Wasnt too busy so didnt need to fight for position for good viewing or photo taking. Some intractive displays as well. Thomas the tank engine also has a home here so kids will enjoy.

A must for anyone who loves Trains. Absolutely incredible museum. Watching the kids drive the trains about with cameras in the front is memorising. You cant explain the joy they are having you need to see it!

Great fun. Both my two year old and his grandpa loved it.

Found this by accident in Yokohama it has a very nice gauge 1 layout of European and U.S. outline trains. Lots of other models too

Exhibit area too dim, little to see & explore, not worth the visit.

A model train museum inside a commercial tower and business district Yokohama. Spent a lovely morning here seeing the curator Hara’s private collection—a static exhibition of his tin-made precision train models and some German historic model trains by Märklin. There’s also a running model train exhibitions where trains will change timely and driving section (for kids possiblyfew times a day.

Wonderful place. Kids can learn to drive a train too.

Great place to bring the kids. Mine loved it.

Love the trains

A must-go for train enthusiasts. Unfortunately I am not.

Most of the people who have spent their entire lives are unable to experience all the railways in the world. Therefore, Nobutaro Hara has devoted himself to creating a place where everyone can fly to the railroads around the world.

Amazing trains w/interactive displays. A must see for train enthusiasts.

If you are into models, this is the place to go! Get there at opening and ask for an experience pass to drive the trains. The passes are limited slots so ask before entering to secure

Nice place for Railway Model lover.

If you love model trains, this is great place to stop. It has a private collection of model trains as well as videos and 3 working model train setups. The price is a a little high, but you would be able to spend a couple of hours in this museum. Non-model enthusiast will also enjoy the train museum for the history provided on trains but the running trains are sure to please any age.

Great place for model train lovers. Tend to gear more towards older trains and trams. Lack a little bit of interactive interaction with kids.

This was such a cool find. If you like this kind of thing...

Fun place to share with the grandchildren. Everything is done with great care and detail. The man was ahead of his time.

They have two large operating layouts. You can drive trains on one of the layouts, its fantastic.

Wonderful collection or train miniatures and several large railway system models. Collection has interesting and touching story behind. Great place to visit for both adults and kids.