JR Sagano Line Local from Kyoto to Umekoji-Kyotonishi for Kyoto Railway Museum Train Review

Kyoto Railway Museum was once without a direct station serving it, as it was located within a wye junction, and stations aren’t built on a major junction itself as it will instantly congest the line. But alas, the human demand for the area around Kyoto Railway Museum required more public transport, and Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station was opened on 16 March 2019, served by the Sagano Line (Sanin Main Line), on the former point of the now-disused bypass wye between Nishiōji and Tambaguchi.

Kyoto Station

JR Sagano Line Local trains depart from Platforms 32 and 33.

The next Local train is departing from Platform 33 for me.

Platforms 32 and 33 share the same island platform. Across from Platform 33 on the same track, there is also an alighting platform, Platform 34, and the Spanish Solution is adopted here for passenger alighting and boarding.

If going to Umekoji-Kyotonishi for Kyoto Railway Museum, do not take the Rapid train as it bypasses Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station.

JR Sagano Line Local from Kyoto to Umekoji-Kyotonishi

My incoming JR Sagano Line Local train is formed by a 223 Series EMU.

Passengers alight on the arriving platform before doors are opened for boarding on Platform 33.

I headed to the front of the train to avoid the crowds building up.

The interior of the JR Sagano Line Local 223 Series EMU. Seats are in benches of which the seat back can flip to form the bench in the direction of travel.

My JR Sagano Line Local departed from Kyoto Station on time at 10.33am.

Following the many parallel lines out of Kyoto Station.

Heading up the elevated viaduct.

Turning away from the JR Kyoto Line and Tokaido Shinkansen Line.

Passing by the sidings of Kyoto Freight Station and Kyoto Railway Museum.

Passing by the entrance of Kyoto Railway Museum.

Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station

My JR Sagano Line Local train arrived at Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station on time at 10.36am. The train ride from Kyoto Station to Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station takes just 3 minutes.

Despite being an infill station, the platforms are surprisingly wide.

The station sign of Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station.

JR Sagano Line Local trains aren’t that frequent, so check the timetable before using it unless you have lots of spare time. For me, I was spending the whole day at Kyoto Railway Museum, so it didn’t matter too much for me.

Heading down the escalator to the exit.

Heading out through the ticket gates at Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station.

Kyoto Railway Museum is just up ahead around the bus park.

The façade of Umekōji-Kyōtonishi Station.

Walking under the Sagano Line tracks to Kyoto Railway Museum.

Kyoto Railway Museum

The façade of Kyoto Railway Museum.

Heading in to Kyoto Railway Museum.

Kyoto Railway Museum Tickets

Kyoto Railway Museum tickets can be purchased on the spot.

If using cash or an IC card, you can purchase your Kyoto Railway Museum ticket directly from the vending machines.

If using credit cards or whatever QR payment mode it is in Japan, you can purchase your Kyoto Railway Museum ticket at the manned ticket counter.

I bought my ticket with an international credit card from the manned ticket counter, and my ticket information was printed in English.

Do note that the ticket price has since increased to 1,500 yen.

Ticket checks are conducted by another staff before the entrance, before entering Kyoto Railway Museum proper.