The Romancecar Museum in Ebina, Kanagawa is holding "ROMANCECAR MUSEUM 5th Anniversary Week" from Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, April 26, 2026, to commemorate its 5th anniversary since opening on April 19. Since its opening, the museum has welcomed over 880,000 visitors. While it began operations under a full reservation system due to the impact of infectious disease, it has grown into a beloved destination supported by local communities and visitors of all kinds.
To mark this milestone, a range of events has been planned — including a free children's athletic attraction and a special program where guests can enjoy coffee aboard a historic train car — offering guests of all generations an opportunity to connect with the memories and allure of the Romancecar.
On April 19, the museum's official anniversary date, several standout programs are concentrated. The paid "Romancecar Athletic" — which typically sees roughly 90% of its weekend slots filled — will be free of charge, letting children enjoy slides and a ball pool while immersing themselves in the world of the Romancecar. A character greeting event featuring Mocolon, Odakyu's child-rearing mascot, and other characters connected to Kanagawa will be held in front of the exhibit car Romancecar VSE (Type 50000), whose display began last month. Tap dance performances and a Romancecar-themed quiz contest will add to the festive atmosphere.
On April 25, visitors will have the rare chance to board "Moha 1," a train from approximately 100 years ago that ran during the Odakyu Line's inauguration. On April 26, the exhibit car Romancecar RSE (Type 20000) "Super Seat" will be open for boarding alongside coffee from local brand "Atsugicoffee" — an atmosphere evoking the golden era of Romancecar travel.
Throughout the event period, the exhibit car Romancecar NSE (Type 3100) will display a 5th anniversary commemorative head mark featuring a strawberry design inspired by the agricultural heritage of Ebina. Starting April 19, the first 5,000 visitors will receive a commemorative card. On April 26, the final day, a rock-paper-scissors tournament will offer the head mark itself as a prize.
1. Free Romancecar Athletic Experience
The Romancecar Athletic, which has been used by approximately 170,000 visitors since opening, will be available free of charge on April 19 only. Children can enjoy slides, a ball pool, and more, freely exploring the Romancecar's world.
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Hours: 10:20 AM to 4:20 PM
Venue: 2F Kids Romancecar Park
Capacity: 40 per session
Numbered tickets distributed near the 2F entrance on a first-come, first-served basis; 15-minute rotation intervals
2. 5th Anniversary Stage Events
(1) 5th Anniversary Quiz Contest
A quiz contest themed around "Romancecar" and "Hakone" will be held, open to participants of all ages. The winner receives an acrylic cube featuring a special design of the Romancecar VSE (Type 50000).
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Times: 11:00 AM, 4:00 PM
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
Capacity: 50 per session
Registration: Starts 30 minutes before each session, in front of exhibit car Romancecar LSE (Type 7000); first-come, first-served
Cooperation: Odakyu Hakone Co., Ltd.
(2) Tap Dance Performance
Tap dancer Masaki Murata, who appears in the History Theater short film "Romancecar Runs," will perform live. Guests can enjoy his light-footed footwork and expressive style set to music.
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Time: 11:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
Admission: Open to all visitors
(3) Tap Dance Workshop
A workshop led by Masaki Murata, covering tap dance basics and the joy of creating rhythms freely. No prior dance experience is required.
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Times: 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM / 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
Fee: ¥800 (tax included; shoe rental included)
Capacity: 20 per session
Registration: Starts 30 minutes before each session, in front of exhibit car Romancecar LSE (Type 7000); first-come, first-served
About Masaki Murata (Tap Dancer)
After discovering tap dance at age 23, Murata has pursued a unique style through collaborations with artists from fields such as fine art, and has won numerous awards both in Japan and abroad. He is also active in educational activities for children and families under the theme "dance, sound, express."
3. Character Greeting Events
Characters from local municipalities and railway companies will appear at the museum. A total of 11 characters will take part across four days, with photo opportunities in front of the exhibit car Romancecar VSE (Type 50000).
Dates: Saturday, April 18 / Sunday, April 19 / Saturday, April 25 / Sunday, April 26, 2026
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
Individual character appearance times vary. Full schedule available at: https://www.odakyu.jp/romancecarmuseum/news/5thanniversary0418/
4. Special Boarding Experience: "Moha 1"
Visitors can board "Moha 1," a train from approximately 100 years ago that ran during the Odakyu Line's early days — normally inaccessible to the public. With its wood-paneled interior and open driver's cab without a partition, it offers a close-up glimpse of early 20th-century rail design.
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Hours: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Venue: 1F History Theater
Capacity: 25 per session
First-come, first-served at the vehicle; 15-minute rotation intervals
5. Special RSE "Super Seat" Boarding with Atsugicoffee
On April 26, visitors can board the "Super Seat" of the exhibit car Romancecar RSE (Type 20000) with a cup of coffee. Local brand "Atsugicoffee" will be selling coffee near the RSE car, and beverages can be brought aboard — which is not normally permitted. Guests can relax in the wide seats with footrests while enjoying the scent of coffee and the atmosphere of vintage Romancecar travel.
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
Menu: Coffee ¥700 (tax included)
Boarding is available without purchasing a drink; beverage sales run from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
6. Atsugicoffee Workshop: Drip Pack Brewing Class
Ryodanro Sakai, owner of "Atsugicoffee," will lead a class on how to get the most out of drip pack coffee. Participants receive direct instruction from a professional and taste their freshly brewed coffee on the spot.
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Times: 11:00 AM to 11:40 AM / 2:00 PM to 2:40 PM
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
Fee: ¥1,000 (tax included)
Capacity: 10 per session
Reservations: Fully pre-booked; reservations open April 15 at 12:30 PM at https://one-odakyu.com/events/2026042601
7. 5th Anniversary Commemorative Head Mark Display
A commemorative head mark featuring a strawberry design — a nod to the strawberry farming that flourishes in Ebina — will be displayed on the exhibit car Romancecar NSE (Type 3100) from 2:00 PM on April 18. On April 26 at 4:00 PM, a rock-paper-scissors tournament will be held with the head mark itself as the prize.
Period: Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, April 26, 2026
Venue: 1F Romancecar Gallery
The rock-paper-scissors tournament is held in front of exhibit car Romancecar NSE (Type 3100) and is open to all visitors
8. 5th Anniversary Commemorative Card Giveaway
A commemorative card sharing the same design as the tapestry on display in the 2F entrance — created to celebrate both the museum's 5th anniversary and the start of the VSE (Type 50000) exhibit — will be given out to the first 5,000 visitors.
Distribution Start: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Location: 2F Entrance
Quantity: 5,000 cards (while supplies last; one card per admission ticket)
9. 5th Anniversary Commemorative Merchandise
A tote bag from the museum's opening that had sold out — featuring three Romancecar types including the SE (Type 3000) — returns with the 5th anniversary commemorative head mark design added. A special "paper-cut museum stamp" celebrating the anniversary is also available.
Sales Start: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Sales Hours: 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Location: 2F Entrance
Items:
- 5th Anniversary Tote Bag: ¥2,000 (tax included)
- Museum Stamp – 5th Anniversary Paper-Cut Edition: ¥1,000 (tax included)
Sales location is subject to change
10. Ebina Service Area Sweets Market
Popular local sweets — including "Ebina Melon Bread," which has been featured on television — will be available to purchase at the museum, directly connected to the station, without needing an admission ticket.
Dates: Saturday, April 18 / Sunday, April 19 / Saturday, April 25 / Sunday, April 26, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Venue: Near 2F Entrance (no admission required)
Vendors:
- April 18 and 19: Melon Bread "Portugaru," World's Best Apple Pie – Kamakura mille mele
- April 25 and 26: Melon Bread "Portugaru"
