A grassy open space in the middle of Kyoto city, with a huge aquarium and the biggest railway museum.
Umekoji Park, located east of Kyoto Station, is one of the city’s largest open grassy areas. The park, opened in 1995 on the former site of a JR freight railway, remains relatively unknown to many foreign visitors.
It is a wonderful space for strolling, playing sports, or picnicking. Visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers, including plum blossoms and orchard blooms. The park features a walking course, the Midori-no-Kan and Inochi-no-Mori gardens, small ponds, and a children’s play area with swings and slides.
Umekoji Park can be enjoyed throughout the year.
The park also displays some of Kyoto’s old trolley trains and features a small museum with historical information and photos of the city’s tram lines.
Kyoto Aquarium
On the north side of Umekoji Park, a large aquarium opened in 2012. The aquarium has nine zones showcasing diverse marine life, including a Dolphin Stadium with bottlenose dolphins, the Rivers of Kyoto Zone featuring Japanese giant salamanders, the Penguin Zone with Cape penguins, the Ocean Zone, and the Main Pool with 500 tons of water and an impressive coral reef. Other areas include the Event Hall, Beauty of Nature Zone, Sea Animals Zone, and the Countryside of Kyoto Zone.
Hours : 10:00 to 18:00
Admission : 2050 yen (Adult), 1550 yen (University & High School Students), 1000 yen (Junior High & Elementary School Students), 600 yen (3 years and older)
The Kyoto Railway Museum
On the west side of Umekoji Park is Japan’s largest railway museum.
The Kyoto Railway Museum, opened by JR West in 2016, is home to around 50 locomotives and railway carriages, including a 500-series Shinkansen. The museum features a massive railway diorama, steam locomotive rides, and a train operating simulator, offering an interactive experience for visitors of all ages.
Hours : 10:00 to 17:30
Admission : 1200 yen (Adult), 1000 yen (University and high school students), 500 yen (Junior high and elementary school students), 200 yen (3 years and older)
Address : Japan, 〒600-8835 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Shimogyō-ku, Kankijichō 56-3
Access : 20-minute walk from Kyoto station or a 15-minute walk north from To-ji Temple.
Kyoto buses No.33, No.205 & No.208 run from Kyoto station to the park’s main northern entrance.
Events
Winter Illumination at Umekoji Park
Kyoto Starlight Accessories Illumination lights up Umekoji Park in winter with about 30,000 LEDs. The stream and promenade sparkle like stardust, while paths to the illuminated areas are softly lit with around 300 paper-framed lamps, creating a magical nighttime atmosphere.