Metro Museum

Good to know before you go

Getting there: Kasai Station · 1 min walk (Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line)
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30); closed Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) and December 30–January 3
Admission: ¥220 (adults), ¥100 (children aged 4 through junior high school)
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Best time to go: Weekday mornings right at the 10:00 opening to use driving simulators without long queues

Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.

Location

Japan, 〒134-0084 Tokyo, Edogawa City, Higashikasai, 6-chōme−3−１東京メトロ東西線葛西駅高架下

Higashikasai, Tokyo

About

Located directly under the elevated tracks of Kasai Station, this interactive museum is a hidden gem for train enthusiasts and families. It offers a fascinating look into the engineering and history of Tokyo's world-class subway system, featuring historic train cars you can board. Visitors of all ages can try their hand at realistic driving simulators and watch a massive, intricate model railway layout in action.

What Japanese guides note

Visitors arriving by the Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line must take Local trains, as Rapid services skip Kasai Station entirely. When arriving from Nishi-Funabashi, using the dedicated Subway Museum Exit at the rear of the train leads directly into the entrance under the viaduct. Eating food of any kind is prohibited inside the museum, and beverages may only be consumed at the designated rest area.

Details from local sources

Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line Rapid trains bypass Kasai Station without stopping. [source]
Admission tickets are printed as magnetic paper train tickets that visitors must insert into functional subway turnstiles to enter. [source]
The yellow Ginza Line Car 1001, built in 1927 for Japan's first underground railway, is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. [source]
The full-motion Chiyoda Line cab simulator is restricted to children of elementary school age and older for safety reasons. [source]
The 1/80 HO-scale Metro Panorama model layout operates scheduled demonstration runs four times daily at 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, and 15:30. [source]
A free 18-space parking lot is located under the elevated rail viaduct 250 meters east toward Urayasu. [source]
Visitors cannot re-enter the museum on the same ticket once they pass exit gates. [source]

Insider Tip

Purchase your entry ticket from a realistic subway-style vending machine at the entrance to kick off the authentic transit experience.

Frequently asked

Can I tap a Suica or Pasmo IC card directly at the entrance turnstiles?

No. IC cards cannot be tapped directly at the turnstiles. Visitors must use IC cards or cash at the automated ticket machines in the lobby to purchase magnetic paper tickets. Those paper tickets are then fed through the authentic subway ticket gates to enter the exhibition area.

Can visitors bring food and eat inside the museum?

No. Eating food, including snacks and packed lunches, is prohibited throughout the museum galleries. Personal drinks are permitted solely within the designated rest seating corner. Numerous bakeries, fast-food outlets, and casual restaurants operate immediately adjacent to Kasai Station for meals before or after visiting.

Are the train driving simulators accessible to young children?

The motion-based Chiyoda Line simulator cab is restricted to elementary school students and older for safety reasons. However, younger children can operate three simplified tabletop train simulators located beside it without age restrictions. All driving simulator lines shut down operations daily at 16:40.