Tracing the dining car from the Meiji Era Showa set meal at the Railway Museum November 26, 10:15
A special exhibition that traces the history of the cafeteria car that has created a special time to enjoy a meal while watching the scenery of the car window is open at the Railway Museum in Saitama City.
This special exhibition is being held at the Railway Museum in Omiya Ward, Saitama City to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of a restaurant car in Japan.
There are about 400 items on display, such as illustrations and photographs explaining the history, in the venue where the image of a pre-war cafeteria car was created.
Japan's first restaurant car appeared on the Sanyo Railway connecting Kyoto and Hofu in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1890.
The magazine “Fuzoku Gaho”, published in 1890, depicts the appearance of women in kimonos eating Western food in a cafeteria car in color, indicating that the wealthy were using them.
The coal-fueled range used in the cafeteria car kitchen until the middle of the Showa era was also unveiled specially.
A replica of a restaurant car flyer that was distributed to passengers before the war, when there was no announcement in the car, and a customer service manual for employees were also exhibited.
Along with the special exhibition, the restaurant at the museum offers a menu that reproduces a “Western set meal” such as a beef and vegetable garnish that was offered for around ¥ 150 at the time of Showa 13 at the current price of about 2500 yen.
Mr. Kenichi Igarashi of the Railway Museum's Department of Arts and Sciences said, “In addition to the transition of the vehicle, what is being eaten and what kind of equipment has been cooked is displayed in an easy-to-understand manner to many people I want you to come to see me. "
This special exhibition is open until January 19 of next year.