【ONGAKUKAN】Expanding Beyond Music into the Gaming Industry Through Professional Simulators! Check Out Their Unique Lineup of Software!

Hello, railway enthusiasts and gamers alike! Today, let’s talk about the unique company “ONGAKUKAN,” which merges the seemingly unrelated worlds of music and railways. Learning about their history is sure to reveal new charms of trains and simulation. Let’s dive into their uniqueness!

The founder of ONGAKUKAN is none other than Minoru Mukaiya, the keyboardist of the Japanese fusion band “Casiopea.” The company began in 1985 as a business renting out recording equipment. Later, they ventured into the gaming industry by creating a CD-ROM software titled “Touch the Music by Casiopea,” which combined music and visuals. This bold step eventually led to the development of railway simulation games.

In 1995, ONGAKUKAN released a PC software titled Train Simulator, which brought Mukaiya’s childhood dream to life. This game realistically recreated the experience of driving a train and quickly became popular, with the series growing to include 31 titles. For railway fans and gamers, Train Simulator was more than just a game—it provided a “dream experience” of sitting in the driver’s seat.

Building on the success of Train Simulator, ONGAKUKAN began developing professional simulators for railway crew training in 2006. They created advanced simulators adopted by various railway companies, including Tokyu Corporation. These realistic designs, capable of simulating emergency situations like accidents, have become indispensable for driver training.

Beyond professional use, ONGAKUKAN has also developed simulators for exhibits at places like railway museums and KidZania. One highlight is the D51 steam locomotive simulator, which took about three years to develop. It allows users to experience not only the driver’s role but also the fireman’s duties, such as stoking coal and supplying water. It provides an immersive experience, as if you’ve traveled back in time to the steam locomotive era.

In addition to railway simulation, ONGAKUKAN also contributes to railway safety. In 2016, they co-developed lightweight platform doors with Nippon Signal. These were tested at Kyushu Railway Company stations, and their compact and efficient design received praise. It’s remarkable how this gaming company tackles real-world railway challenges.

In 2022, ONGAKUKAN announced JR EAST Train Simulator. This game, a consumer adaptation of their professional simulator for JR East, was released on Steam, offering a new experience for railway fans. The Early Access version allows users to operate lines like the Keihin-Tohoku and Hachiko lines, enabling professional-grade driving simulation at home.

From music production to railway simulation and safety technology development, ONGAKUKAN continues to create new value with their unique perspective. Their journey, filled with a love for railways, brings us realistic experiences and profound inspiration.

Whether you’re a railway enthusiast or a gamer, exploring ONGAKUKAN’s history might lead you to your next “railway adventure”!