Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, this museum represents a key tourist spot in a region renowned for its dinosaur fossil excavations. After a renovation of its facilities, it reopened on July 14, 2023, and is expected to attract even more visitors. With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen connecting Fukui and Tsuruga anticipated in spring 2024, the museum is garnering significant attention.
Additionally, the museum features an "Outdoor Dinosaur Museum" where visitors can participate in actual fossil excavations. This area is divided into three zones: "Observation Plaza," "Exhibition Hall," and "Fossil Excavation Experience Area," where visitors can make reservations to receive detailed explanations about fossils from researchers.
Furthermore, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum showcases several unique dinosaurs indigenous to Fukui Prefecture, such as Fukuiraptor and Fukuititan. All these dinosaurs were discovered during excavation surveys in Kitayama, Katsuyama City.
Basic Information
- Spot Name
- Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
- Location
- 〒911-8601 51-11 Terao, Muraoka-cho, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture
- Access
- Approximately 15 minutes by community bus or about 10 minutes by taxi from Echizen Railway Katsuyama Station / About 10 minutes by car from Chubu Jukan Expressway Katsuyama IC.
- Parking
- Capacity of 1,500 vehicles.
- Business Hours
- 9 AM to 5 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
*During Golden Week and summer vacation, from 8:30 AM to 6 PM (last admission at 5:30 PM) - Regular Holiday
- Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (if a holiday falls on one of these days, the following day will be closed), and during the New Year period (December 31 and January 1). However, there may be temporary closures for exhibition changes or facility inspections (please check the website or call for details).
- Fees
- Adult: 1,000 yen
Adult (Group): 800 yen
Adult (Annual Passport): 3,000 yen
High School and University Students: 800 yen
High School and University Students (Group): 640 yen
High School and University Students (Annual Passport): 2,400 yen
Elementary and Junior High School Students: 500 yen
Elementary and Junior High School Students (Group): 400 yen
Elementary and Junior High School Students (Annual Passport): 1,500 yen
Individuals aged 70 and above: 500 yen
Individuals aged 70 and above (Group): 400 yen
Individuals aged 70 and above (Annual Passport): 1,500 yen
*Free for children who have not yet reached the age of elementary school enrollment
*Group rates apply for groups of 30 or more for permanent exhibitions
*No group rate available for fossil research exhibitions due to limited capacity - Contact Information
- Phone Number：0779-88-0001
- Official Website
Map
Detailed Information
▶ Permanent Exhibition Hall
The Dinosaur Museum features a dome-shaped permanent exhibition hall divided into three zones: "The World of Dinosaurs," "Earth Sciences," and "History of Life." In the vast pillarless space, full-body dinosaur skeletons, fossils, rocks, dioramas, and more are displayed, allowing visitors to enjoy the world of geology and paleontology, particularly dinosaurs.
▸ The World of Dinosaurs
In this zone, there are 50 full-body dinosaur skeletons on display, 10 of which are actual fossils. Visitors can experience the dinosaur era through lifelike dioramas depicting the Mesozoic scenes of Sichuan, China, and the Dino Theater with interactive screens.
▸ Earth Sciences
This zone systematically displays the history of earth sciences, sediments from land and sea, fossils embedded in sediments, geological activities, and the rocks and minerals formed by these activities.
▸ History of Life
This zone showcases the long 4.6 billion-year history of the Earth, illustrating how life began, evolved, and faced extinction through the changing environments, ultimately leading to the emergence of humanity. A newly added large mosasaur, Tylosaurus, is a must-see.
▶ Outdoor Dinosaur Museum
Located in Katsuyama City's Kitadani area, this field station allows visitors to observe dinosaur fossil excavation sites and experience fossil digging. Access is possible only through a designated bus tour from the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. The outdoor museum features three zones: "Observation Area," "Exhibition Area," and "Fossil Digging Experience Area."
For the excavation experience, participants must wear gloves or garden gloves to protect their hands.
▸ What is the Kitadani Dinosaur Fossil Excavation Site?
This is the largest dinosaur fossil excavation site in Japan. The site features the Kitadani Formation of the Early Cretaceous period, where various fossils are recovered. Test excavations began in 1988, followed by full-scale excavations in 1989. The valuable fossils obtained through repeated excavations have become important collections for the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which opened in 2000. The outdoor dinosaur museum opened in 2014, and a portion of the fossil excavation site was designated as a national natural monument in 2017.
▸ Three Zones
Visit the excavation site (Observation Area)
Visitors can explore the Kitadani dinosaur fossil excavation site with guidance from a navigator. If fortunate, they may witness researchers at work.
Exhibition of Excavated Fossils (Exhibition Area)
The Kitadani dinosaur fossil excavation has a long history. The exhibition introduces what this area was like during the dinosaur era and what fossils can be found here.
Fossil Digging Experience (Fossil Digging Experience Area)
Participants become part of the museum's excavation team. Important fossils they find may contribute to future research at the museum.
▶ Objectives and Significance of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
The Dinosaur Museum was built with the purpose of utilizing Fukui Prefecture's dinosaur resources for academic research, lifelong learning, regional revitalization, and enhancing its image, promoting it both domestically and internationally. Since its opening on July 14, 2000, over 20 years have passed, and it has become a hub for dinosaur research in Japan while being widely supported by visitors of all ages. In its first five years, the number of visitors hovered around 250,000 annually, but by 2010, this number had increased to 500,000, and by 2015 it reached 900,000, leading to congestion in the entrance area and around the entrance hall, making facility management a challenge. Restaurants and shops also consistently faced full capacity during peak seasons. With the opening of new Shinkansen lines in 2022, an increase in visitors is anticipated, which necessitates expansions of exhibition spaces and common areas to maintain and enhance satisfaction.
Additionally, analyzing monthly visitor numbers reveals that 25% of annual visits occur in August, during summer vacation, indicating a significant seasonality. Expanding winter visitation is therefore considered important. To address these issues, providing new year-round experiences in addition to traditional exhibitions is sought. Aiming to make the Dinosaur Museum a leading hub for dinosaur fossil research and information dissemination globally, the museum plans to undergo comprehensive renovations under the concept of "Transforming into a Year-Round Experience Museum."
