Railroad Runs Through in the Restaurant – Aioi Shokudo 🚃
There is a restaurant in Kyoto where trains running inside.
It’s a restaurant that has been around for over 80 years, and there’s a full diorama inside that runs a model N-gauge railway.
The total length of the rail is about 25 meters!
The unique restaurant “Aioi shokudo" is located on Senbon-dori, one of Kyoto’s famous streets.
It has a nondescript appearance, but there is a yellow sign at the entrance that says “a restaurant where trains run".
When you enter there, you will see tables lined up like a traditional Japanese restaurant.
A large diorama is placed all over the wall on one side of the store, and trains run through it. It’s surprisingly big and quite authentic.
The N-gauge runs lightly next to customers who enjoy eating.
The diorama reproduces the scenery of Japan’s JR Sanin Line. The station near the center is Kinosaki Onsen station. It has a realistic design.
The names of famous Thunderbird and Twilight Express that run along the Sea of Japan side are displayed on the small electric bulletin board.
There are many other scenes of Japan reproduced and you will be fascinated.
A small CCD camera installed on the side of the rail shows a moving train. The monitor also allows you to view the train as if you are looking at it.
The owner surprisingly owns 750 vehicles. He changes them every week.
The dioramas took about 20 years to complete, as a hobby for owners who love railways.
He is so particular that he changes the fields and cherry trees every season. He has many trains that don’t actually run now. There are many Japanese who feel nostalgic after coming here.
The menu includes noodles such as udon, soba and ramen, donburi, teishoku, sushi and yoshoku. Most of the prices on the menu are reasonable, less than 1,000 yen.
The popular ramen is based on soy sauce and topped with roasted pork fillet, green onion, bean sprouts and seaweed. Ramen soup is thick and has a deep taste. It goes well with thin noodles and is filling.
When we look at a railway diorama like this, we will feel childish and happy.
Why don’t we have a meal while looking at the train running through the Sea of Japan?
Information
- Hours: 11:00～15:00, 17:00～19:30 (L.O. 19:00)
- Closed: Thursday
- Tabelog Website
Basic Knowledge of N-Gauge Model Railway 🚄