[JP] Where to Watch Maglev Trains at 500 km/h

[latestnews]

[JP] Where to Watch Maglev Trains at 500 km/h: The Yamanashi Maglev Viewing Center and Its Real Test Vehicle MLX01-2

Source: Tetsudo.com (Railway News), via Yahoo News
Original title:
リニア「時速500キロ」の大迫力走行が見学できる場所とは？ 本物の車両も展示「リニア見学センター」
Date: October 10, 2026, 10:35
Original language: Japanese
Web link: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/438b4 ... 5b9e06277c
Accessed: October 10, 2026

An article introducing the Yamanashi Prefectural Maglev Viewing Center (Linear Kengaku Center) in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture—the only place where the public can observe the superconducting maglev of the Chuo Shinkansen running at 500 km/h.

**Key points**:

- The Chuo Shinkansen will use the superconducting maglev system tested on the Yamanashi Maglev Line. Since most of that line runs in tunnels, and surface sections are covered by track shelters to suppress high-speed noise, the area near the Maglev Center in Otsuki/Tsuru is effectively the only spot where 500 km/h runs can be viewed ([Tetsudo.com via Yahoo](https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/438b4 ... 5b9e06277c)).

- The newer building, the "Dokidoki Linear Hall" (opened April 2014), displays the actual test vehicle **MLX01-2**—one of nine MLX01 series cars (five of them lead cars) built at the start of testing on the Yamanashi Maglev Test Line. This "aero-wedge" type features a smooth, streamlined nose, and in 2003 it recorded a maximum speed of **581 km/h**, a world record at the time ([Yamanashi Infrastructure Guide](https://www.yamanashi-infra.jp/infrastructure/965/), [Jalan](https://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_19204cc3340044918/)).

- Exhibits include a superconducting laboratory, a mini-maglev ride, a 500 km/h simulation theater, and a 17-meter diorama; the adjacent "Wakuwaku Yamanashi Hall" with viewing rooms and shops is free to enter. The facility is about 15 minutes by Fujikyu bus from Otsuki Station on the JR Chuo Line ([JR East event guide](https://event.jreast.co.jp/pages/articl ... ion-center), [Tabirai](https://www.tabirai.net/localinfo/artic ... cle-14458/)).