Dinosaur excavations began in Fukui Prefecture in 1989, and now the area is known for being Japan’s leading dinosaur excavation site. To date, a number of dinosaur fossils, including those of the Fukuisaurus and Fukuiraptor, have been discovered in Fukui.

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is Japan’s only dinosaur museum, and displays materials on dinosaurs from all over the globe.

The museum is counted as one of the major three dinosaur museums in the world, alongside its counterparts in Canada and China.

There are dinosaur models and skeletons on display with various sizes, some being only waist high and some so tall they need to be seen looking straight up.

The Dinosaur Museum exhibits are separated into three zones: “The World of Dinosaurs,” “Science of the Earth,” and “The History of Life.”

In “The World of Dinosaurs” zone, one can experience the mystery and intrigue of dinosaurs.

The exhibitions are such that children and adults, people of all ages, can learn in a fun environment. There are over forty full size skeletons of every variety on display in the museum’s 4500 m2 exhibition room.

It is a rare opportunity to see the museum’s many specimens, over one thousand in number, on display.

With the addition of various fossils and diagrams complete with explanations of the history of life on earth, learning is fun and easy.

The exhibitions at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum go beyond imagination. Stepping into the thirty five meter tall exhibition dome lined with complete skeletons and models makes one feel as though they have stepped into the world of dinosaurs, a world of wonder and amazement. Make sure you pay attention to the tyrannosaurus at the entrance as it welcomes you to the museum.

■The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Address: 51-11 Terao, Muroko-chō, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, 911-0023
TEL: 0779-88-0323
Directions: Thirty five minutes from the Fukui North Hokuriku Expressway Interchange/Maruoka Interchange via National Highway No. 416
Site: https://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/