Railways are an inextricably linked to daily Japanese life. The shinkansen (bullet train) might be famous around the world for its speed, but there is so much more to the Japanese railway system. Local trains, subways and trolley cars are all important to the Japanese; for some more than others. In fact some Japanese feel such an affinity with railways that they could be labeled railway fans! These fans-mostly men-study about railways, collect railway models and take pictures of railways and trains.

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about trains as the aforementioned fans, but there is a newly opened museum that will no doubt entertain and educate people from all walks of life; the Railway Museum.

Half of the museum is dedicated to the History Zone. Within the zone, 35 real vehicles are exhibited to give visitors an overview of the history of railways in Japan, starting from the Meiji era (1868-1912). The museum also features a railway model diorama (200 square meters), the largest of its kind in Japan.

Besides the exhibitions, there are some other exciting attractions. Visitors can actually drive the mini-trains (a 300 meter round-trip) to get a feel for the driving system and learn about safety. There is also a locomotive simulator where you can experience driving in front of a wide screen. There are five driving simulators in all, including a shinkansen and Yamanote Line (the famous JR line that runs through Tokyo) vehicle.

There is no need to go hungry on this train journey; there are a number of attractive restaurants and shops at the museum. The museum is so authentic that there are menus in the restaurants which are the same as those that were available in dining cars in the past!

All explanations at the museum are written in Japanese but don’t let this stop you.
By using QR codes you can also read explanations in English, Chinese and Korean.
It takes about 45 minutes from Tokyo Station to reach the Railway Museum.
To enter, you can even use a Suica card (train boarding IC card issued by JR East). Why not learn about railways in Japan and experience the thrill of driving a shinkansen before actually getting on one!

It is well known that the Japanese are good at creating things that are both compact and space efficient.
You only have to take one look at a Capsule Hotel to see that hotels are no exception. Instead of sleeping in rooms, as the name suggests, guests at a Capsule Hotel literally spend the night in capsules. Japanese businessmen have frequented capsule hotels for some time, but recently, they have becoming increasingly popular with overseas tourists.

Capsule Inn Akihabara-located in the heart of Akihabara, an area synonymous with electronic shops and famous for Japanese pop culture-is the perfect example of this unique form of accommodation. Each Capsule Inn Akihabara capsule unit is 1m x 1m x 2m and yet features amenities such as a TV, radio, alarm clock and adjustable lighting, all of which can be controlled while remaining prone. There is even a wireless internet connection inside the capsule. You basically get the services that a hotel offers at a much more reasonable price! What else could you ask for? Importantly, floors are separated for men and women so women traveling alone can feel safe. In addition to capsules, there are shower rooms, a lounge and space to store your luggage.

When visiting Japan, staying at a traditional Japanese-style inn (ryokan) is highly recommended as you can sleep in a futon on tatami mats, the normal method in the Japanese lifestyle. For another uniquely Japanese experience, though, you can also try to “squeeze” in a stay at a Capsule Hotel.