Right underneath Kasai Station on the Tozai line is a museum where kids and adults can learn about the history of Japan’s first metro system through interactive exhibits. Ready for some hands-on fun at the Tokyo Metro Museum? Here’s a photo diary from our latest visit!
Over the weekend, we visited the Tokyo Metro Museum, one of the spots featured in my How to Spend Summer in Tokyo With A Baby. After countless visits, my girl at 19 months is finally old enough to enjoy the exhibits.
READ: Tokyo Metro Museum (One of my first GaijinPot Travel pieces!)
The museum faithfully recreates the subway experience. Admission ticket machines are similar to ticket machines at train stations.
Even the entrance is set up with actual turnstiles, complete with IC card readers!
Once you’re in, you give your admission tickets to staff, just as you would in the olden times.
Marunouchi and Ginza Subway Cars
The main attraction of the museum is no doubt the Marunouchi and Ginza subway cars. The Marunouchi car is very impressive and a big hit with kids, who love hanging from the handrails, talking off their shoes, and walking on the plush seats.
Unfortunately, you’re no longer allowed to enter the Ginza car, but here’s a peek at the beautiful wood paneling inside:
Step back in time at the replica Ueno station:
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A Museum With Interactive Exhibits
At the Tokyo Metro Museum, nearly everything is interactive.
There’s quiz games…
Train simulators… 
Kids can sit in a real conductor’s seat and touch plenty of buttons, too!
Here’s my favorite part of the museum: the tunnel cross-section.
This area looks like it belongs in an aerospace museum!
And, there’s plenty of cutouts for taking commemorative photos:
Stamp Rally
Don’t forget to head to the gift shop to buy a commemorative stamp notebook (210 yen). There’s a place in the back to attach your admission ticket, too.
Throughout the museum there are 11 spots for collecting stamps. 9 of these stamps are necessary in order to receive a prize at the end of the stamp rally.
You can collect a prize from the Information Desk. Prizes include a choice of mechanical pencil, a pack of crayons, pins, or magnets, all of which feature original designs.
Toilets, Nursing Room, and Rest Area
Of course, a family friendly place like the Tokyo Train Museum has got you covered when it comes to changing diapers and feeding your kids. What’s more, the toilets, nursing room are located right next to each other, so you don’t have to go far.
In addition to bathroom stalls, there’s a multipurpose toilet with a baby seat and diaper changing bed.
The nursing room has two private rooms and a sink.
The rest area is spacious enough to accommodate even weekend crowds. It has several drink and snack vending machines, a sink, and reading materials, too.
We bought lunch at 7/Eleven, which is right near Kasai Station. Pick up some classic Japanese snacks or limited-edition snacks while you’re there!
The Tokyo Metro Museum is an attractive, budget-friendly Tokyo day trip for families. But, my girl and I have got our eyes set on a bigger target: the Railway Museum in Omiya, Saitama Prefecture!
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