The station building is designated as a national Important Cultural Property.
The D51 locomotive on display, known as 'D51 793', is one of the most iconic steam engines produced in Japan.
It is the oldest surviving railway station building in Japan.
The site was converted into a museum in 1958 to preserve the architectural legacy of the 19th-century terminal.
The tracks preserved on the site represent the original gauge width used during the early Meiji rail expansion.
Nagahama Tetsudo Square is Japan's oldest existing station building, originally constructed in 1882 during the Meiji period. The facility houses a restored D51 steam locomotive and an ED70 electric locomotive within a preserved indoor exhibition hall. The museum occupies the original Nagahama Station terminal, which operated as a crucial link on the Hokuriku Main Line. Exhibits detail the evolution of regional rail transport and the station’s historical role in the development of Shiga Prefecture. Visitors can explore the interior of the station master's office and see authentic period signaling equipment. The site serves as a monument to the early infrastructure of the Japanese Government Railways.
The platform side of the D51 steam locomotive with the historical wooden station building in the background.
Combine your visit with the nearby Nagahama Castle and Kurokabe Square area.
Check the locomotive exhibits closely, as maintenance schedules occasionally restrict access to the cabs.
Photography is permitted throughout the station building and outdoor engine displays.
Do not attempt to climb on the exterior machinery of the locomotives, as they are protected historical assets.
Closed during the year-end and new-year holidays.
