Kyoto Railway Museum has announced its lineup of events for December 2026. The month includes a workshop for children, two new collection exhibitions, a lecture for adults, a special viewing of a Series 100 Shinkansen car, and hands-on exhibits for the winter vacation period.
Workshop for Children: "Build It with Blocks! Everyone's Handmade Container Train!"
December's workshop is for children. Participants build a container from blocks, following a drawing modeled on a real container. Once finished, the container is loaded onto a block-built train and sent running. A block layout will also be on display.
- Dates: December 19 (Saturday) and December 20 (Sunday)
- Reception hours: (1) 10:30 AM to 11:40 AM; (2) 1:30 PM to 4:15 PM (about 15 minutes per session)
- Venue: Main Building, 2nd Floor, near the railway diorama
- Fee: Free (museum admission required)
- How to join: Guided on a first-come, first-served basis. Come to the venue during the reception hours.
- This workshop is eligible for the "Kyoto Railway Museum Workshop Stamp Card."
- The container you make cannot be taken home.
Collection Exhibition: "JR Kyoto Line"
This collection exhibition shows materials from the museum that are not normally on display. This time, it introduces materials related to the JR Kyoto Line (between Kyoto Station and Osaka Station).
- Period: December 5, 2026 (Saturday) to March 28, 2027 (Sunday)
- Venue: Main Building, 2nd Floor, display booth beside the Special Exhibition Room
- Planned display: Commemorative platform ticket for the 100th anniversary of the Kyoto–Osaka railway opening, and more
▲Commemorative platform ticket for the 100th anniversary of the Kyoto–Osaka railway opening
Collection Photo Exhibition: "Diesel Cars That Ran Through Western Japan"
The KiHa 40 series will mark the 50th anniversary of its entry into service in 2027. To mark the occasion, this exhibition introduces diesel cars that ran across western Japan and supported regional transport.
- Period: December 26, 2026 (Saturday) to April 4, 2027 (Sunday)
- Venue: Main Building, 3rd Floor, Gallery
- Planned display: KiHa 40 (photographed March 25, 1987) and 21 other items
▲KiHa 40 (photographed March 25, 1987)
"Adult Learning Lecture"
In December, a curator at the museum explains the theme "10 Years of Special Vehicle Exhibitions."
- Date: December 17 (Thursday)
- Time: 2:00 PM (about 60 minutes)
- Venue: Main Building, 3rd Floor, Hall
- Fee: Free (museum admission required)
- Capacity: 50 people, first come, first served (doors open 15 minutes before the start time)
- Lecturer: 廣田 琢也 (curator)
- This lecture is eligible for the "Kyoto Railway Museum Adult Learning Lecture Stamp Card."
Special Vehicle Viewing: Series 100 Shinkansen Type 122 Car No. 5003
The vehicle opened to visitors in December is Series 100 Shinkansen Type 122 Car No. 5003. The Series 100 Shinkansen was introduced as the successor to the Series 0 Shinkansen. The interior preserves the look of the car from its days on the Sanyo Shinkansen "Kodama" service, and even the ordinary car has seats arranged in two columns on each side. Viewing comes with a brief explanation from staff in the morning and is self-guided in the afternoon.
- Dates: Saturdays and Sundays in December
- Venue: Main Building, 1st Floor, Series 100 Shinkansen Type 122 Car No. 5003
Guided viewing
- Times: (1) 10:30 AM; (2) 11:00 AM; (3) 11:30 AM (about 20 minutes per session)
- First come, first served. Gather in front of Type KuHa 489 Car No. 1 on the Main Building 1st Floor by the start time.
- Reception for each guided session closes once it reaches its capacity of 20 people.
- While a guided session is under way, visitors who are not taking part cannot tour the inside of the car.
Self-guided viewing
- Time: 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
▲Series 100 Shinkansen Type 122 Car No. 5003
10th Anniversary Mini Commentary: "Mamechishiki 10!"
As part of the museum's 10th anniversary program, short commentary sessions introduce exhibits in the museum, including its rolling stock. The seventh session, in December, features the Series 151 limited express train, which served on limited express services such as "Kodama."
- Dates: December 6 (Sunday) and December 27 (Sunday)
- Times: (1) 1:30 PM; (2) 3:30 PM (about 15 minutes per session)
- Venue: Main Building, 1st Floor, Series 151 limited express train (mock-up)
- Fee: Free (museum admission required)
- How to join: Come to the venue by the start time.
- Target age: No age restriction
▲Series 151 limited express train (mock-up)
Hands-On Exhibits During the Winter Vacation
Track bicycle experience
- Dates: Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (daily from December 26, 2026 to January 5, 2027)
- Reception hours: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM (suspended from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
Railway diorama
- Times: From December 28, 2026 (Monday) to January 5, 2027 (Tuesday), the number of sessions increases. Times vary by date, so check the museum's official website for details.
▲Railway diorama
