*Click Here for Our Travel Report to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.

About the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world. The museum is based in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture which is the epicenter of dinosaur research in Japan. More dinosaur fossils are found in Fukui Prefecture than anywhere else in Japan. Japan’s largest excavation site is located only a few kilometers from the museum. Fukui Prefecture is widely known as the “Dinosaur Capital” of Japan

The main building of the Fukui Dinosaur Museum is dome shaped in nature, meaning that there are no columns to obstruct your view. From the museum entrance on the third floor, visitors can take an escalator down to the basement. Along the way down, visitors can enjoy unobstructed views of the museums many floors. The first of which are the museum’s permanent exhibition.

The permanent exhibition at Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is separated into three different areas. They include the Dinosaur World, Earth Sciences area, and the History of Life. In addition, there is a fossil cleaning room, dino lab, and area for special exhibitions held throughout the year.

Dinosaur World Exhibition

In the dinosaur world exhibit there are over 40 complete dinosaur skeletons on display. Visitors can enjoy the true scale and size of the dinosaur skeletons in person. In addition, there are numerous animatronic dinosaur models that feel like they are alive. There are also other interactive displays that help illustrate the unique features of the dinosaurs as well as immersive dioramas that depict life during the Mesozoic Era. Lastly, the museum features the five new dinosaur species that were discovered during the excavation activities in Fukui Prefecture.

Earth Sciences Exhibition

The Earth Sciences Exhibition displays the geologic history of Earth’s sediments from land and sea as well as rocks and minerals. On display are an impressive collection of rocks, minerals, and precious gems.

History of Life

The History of Life Exhibition shows chronologically how life evolved from one cell organisms all the way to the emergence of mankind. The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum has an impressive collection of prehistoric fossils on display.

Fossil Research Experience (Takes 120 Minutes)

In this experience, visitors can learn about the process of finding, observing, and investigating fossils. Three experiences are chosen on a rotating basis depending on the season. The list of experiences include:

• “Fossil Excavation Plus” where guests can learn how to identify real fossils
• “T-Rex Skull Restoration” where guests reconstruct a T-Rex skull using tools
• “Fossil Cleaning” involves removing dinosaur teeth
• “CT Fossil Observation” where visitors can view CT scans of dinosaur fossils

Outdoor Dinosaur Museum (Takes 120 Minutes Including 40 Minutes Round Trip Bus Rides)

This experience involves hands on field work at the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum. Located approximately 20 minutes away by bus, the dinosaur quarry is a designated national natural monument in 2017. The site has three separate zones:

• “Observation Plaza” get an up close view of an active excavation site
• “Exhibition Area” view discovered fossil and there history
• “Fossil Excavation Experience Plaza” excavate actual fossils from rocks that are from the excavation site

*Note: Advance reservation is required to participate

Other facilities include a museum shop and restaurant. The museum shop has an impressive amount of dinosaur related goods and merchandise. While the restaurant has a nice selection of food that is very loosely related to dinosaurs. Except for the Spinosaurus-shaped curry, everything else on the menu has a pretty weak connection to any real dinosaur theme.

Nearby Attractions in Fukui Include: Roadside Station Dinosaur Valley Katsuyama and Fukui Station

Best Times to Visit Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

• July 14th – November 5th: Outdoor Dinosaur Museum Open

*If your not interested in the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum then any day is a good day. Weather is less of an issue since all the other exhibits are indoors.

Unique Reasons to Go to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

• One of the Top Dinosaur Museums in the World
• Largest Dinosaur Museum in Japan
• #1 Sightseeing Attraction in Fukui Prefecture
• 5/7 Newly Discovered Dinosaur Species in Japan were Found in Fukui

Admission Fee & Hours

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Admission Fee

Permanent Exhibition

Annual Pass ¥3,000/Adult, ¥2,400/High School & College Students, ¥1,500/Primary & Secondary School Students, ¥1,500/Senior, Children under age 6 are free

Individuals ¥1,000/Adult, ¥800/High School & College Students, ¥500/Primary & Secondary School Students, ¥500/Senior, Children under age 6 are free

Groups ¥800/Adult, ¥640/High School & College Students, ¥400/Primary & Secondary School Students, ¥400/Senior, Children under age 6 are free

*Seniors are anyone over the age of 70

*Group discounts are for groups of more than 30 people

*Separate fee charged for special exhibitions.

Fossil Research Experience

Individuals ¥1,200/Adult, ¥1,000/High School & College Students, ¥600/Primary & Secondary School Students, ¥600/Senior

Purchase Tickets Online via this link.

*Ticket must be purchased in addition to a permanent exhibition ticket

Outdoor Dinosaur Museum

Individuals ¥1,300/Adult, ¥1,100/High School & College Students, ¥650/Primary & Secondary School Students, ¥650/Senior, Children under age 6 are free

Purchase Tickets Online via this link.

*Ticket must be purchased in addition to a permanent exhibition ticket

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Hours

Permanent Exhibition

9:00 – 17:00 (Last Entry 16:30)

8:30 – 18:00 (Summer Schedule)( Last Entry 17:30)

Closed 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the Month (Except During Summer)

Check here for Holidays

Fossil Research Experience

• 1st 9:20 (weekdays) 9:20 (weekends & holidays)
• 2nd 10:30 (weekdays) 10:30 (weekends & holidays)
• 3rd 12:50 (weekdays) 12:30 (weekends & holidays)
• 4th 14:00 (weekdays) 13:40 (weekends & holidays)
• 5th 14:50 (weekends & holidays)

Outdoor Dinosaur Museum

Check here for Time Slots

How To Access Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

By Public Transportation

• From Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) take a JR Thunderbird Limited Express train bound for Kanazawa getting off at Fukui Station *Quickest (1 hour 58 minutes, ¥6,140/person) Note: JR Pass Compatible, Advanced Reservation at JR Train Station Required

• From Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) take a JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid train bound for Tsuruga via JR Kosei Line transferring at Tsuruga Station to a JR Hokuriku Line train bound for Fukui getting off at Fukui Station *Least Expensive (3 hour 8 minutes, ¥3,410/person) Note: JR Pass Compatible

• From Kyoto (Kyoto Station) take a JR Thunderbird Limited Express train bound for Kanazawa getting off at Fukui Station *Quickest (1 hour 27 minutes, ¥5,030/person) Note: JR Pass Compatible, Advanced Reservation at JR Train Station Required

• From Kyoto (Kyoto Station) take a JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line train bound for Tsuruga via JR Kosei Line transferring at Tsuruga Station to a JR Hokuriku Line train bound for Fukui getting off at Fukui Station *Least Expensive (2 hour 41 minutes, ¥2,640/person) Note: JR Pass Compatible

• From Fukui (Fukui Station) take an Echizentetsudo-Katsuyama-Eiheiji Line train bound for Katsuyama getting off at Katsuyama Station (58 minutes, ¥770/person) Note: Not JR Pass Compatible

• From Katsuyama Station take a Gururin Chubu Line bus (Daifuku Kotsu) get off at “Dinosaur Museum Bus Stop” (恐竜博物館前) (15 minutes, ¥300/adult (junior high school & older), ¥200/child (elementary school students), preschool students & younger are free)* Check the link above to get the most up to date information.

By Car

• Katsuyama IC (6.5 km Southwest)
• Ono IC (11 km South)
• Kamishihi IC (13.5 km West)
• Arashima IC (16.5 km Southeast)

*Parking is Free (~1,300 Parking Spaces Available)

Note: Manhole Card Located at the Park Authority Building.