Transport Museum closes

[羽之助]

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20060511p2a00m0et016000c.html

Goddammit.

I have been past this museum at least 5 times, and always wanted to go in, but either a) the people I was with weren't interested, b) I was there too early/too late, or c) I didn't have time to go and still make my bus/train.

And now it's closing forever, on Sunday, to be exact. They (I think) even had the original underground station from 100 years ago, intact. I can't even make a quick trip down because one of my friends is coming UP.

Damn damn damn.

Anyone ever been to this particular museum?

[Niff]

Shit, I wanted to go there. Too late, I s'pose.

[EIJI]

Yes, I have been there twice with my son who was "train otaku" at that time.
Actually, "Transport Museum" has been a "Holy place" for the Japanese train otaku for long time.

[羽之助]

もう、むかつくぅぅぅ～～！

[EIJI]

Don't worry. It will be resumed late in 2007 at Saitama.

[羽之助]

Yeah but it's not an old train station, now is it.

On the other hand ... John Lennon museum in the morning, Transport Museum in the afternoon ...

[SlickWilly440]

Yeah Hanenosuke, isn't this the same train museum that was shown in one of your home videos(You talked about it not being open yet)? If so would you mind posting that link again, I didn't watch the whole thing? Thanks.

[羽之助]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4130867483012731371

[Rogue_7]

yeah i watched that vid and thought that the museum sounded awsome. Total bummer. :-(

[gentlemanandscholar]

Damnit, I wanted to visit! Didn't we conclude last time that there wasn't enough time?

[KojiroTakenashi]

Why is this occuring?

[Scott Vincent]

That sounds like a cool museum. Shame it's closing.

[Chinpokomon]

As a direct result of this thread, I went to the museum.

On Sunday...
at 4:30...
I arrived 5 minutes before they stopped letting people line up.

It was only 310 yen to get in!

Anyway, I wouldn't be too concerned about it shutting down. The old train station part of it is just a little window where you can look through and see some old steps. It was kind of interesting, but nothing overwhelming.

[gentlemanandscholar]

You don't understand. What you just described gives me chills. It's the peak of any excitement!

[Chinpokomon]

I might have been the last American to ever visit the Transport Museum.
*feels all warm and fuzzy*

Another story from here. Some guy started talking to me while I was there.
(Translated from Japanese)

"I don't mean to be rude, but can I ask you some questions?"
"Sure"
"Do you like trains?"
"Um, sure"
"What country are you from?"
"America"
"Do they have museums like this in America"
"Yes, but they are pretty rare. Most Americans don't ride on trains much anymore"
"Oh, I see. Your Japanese is really good"
"No, not yet it isn't."


*waits for gentlemanandscholar to cream his pants*

[gentlemanandscholar]

oh god
oh god
oh god