A museum dedicated to dinosaurs in Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture, and one of the largest of its kind in Japan. Its landmark is a silver dome said to evoke a dinosaur egg, and inside, 50 full dinosaur skeletons are on display. Fukui is known as a source of dinosaur fossils, and the museum serves as a center for their research and exhibition.
The full skeletons on display number 50, of which 10 use real fossils. Among them are the skeletons of Fukuisaurus, Fukuiraptor, and Fukuivenator, all found in Fukui, so you can meet dinosaurs born from the local ground. The sight of skeletons standing in rows in the open atrium hall is striking.
At the Dino Lab, centered on a Tyrannosaurus skeleton, you can learn about dinosaur bodies and lives through features such as a projection that shows the inside of the skull. Rare specimens are also on view, including the mummified fossil of a Brachylophosaurus that preserves traces of skin and muscle. A moving, life-sized Tyrannosaurus robot is also popular.
There are hands-on programs such as a fossil research experience, where you dig out fossils using real tools. The outdoor Dinosaur Museum, which tours the excavation site in Kitadani in Katsuyama, also offers observation and digging experiences. Beyond just looking, the museum lets you try work close to that of a researcher.
恐竜の塔
In July 2023, a three-story new wing was added, greatly expanding the exhibits. The number of full skeletons grew from 44 to 50, and some were given more dynamic poses. In the open atrium hall stands a monument known as the Dinosaur Tower.
In 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended to Fukui, making the museum easier to reach. From Fukui Station, you can get there by the Echizen Railway or a direct bus. Some of the popular experiences require reservations, so it is best to check in advance.
〒911-8601 51-11 Murokochō Terao, Katsuyama, Fukui
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| Mon | 09:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 09:00–17:00 |
Regular holidays:The second and fourth Wednesdays (the following day if a public holiday), and the New Year period
Last entry is at 16:30. During the summer holidays the museum opens daily with extended hours (in 2026, July 18 to August 16, 8:30 to 18:00).
Hours verified June 2026
Hours may have changed. Please confirm before visiting.
The anime, manga, and games that feature Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in real life.
A travel guide to the real-world locations of Yamato, the western-Japan nation in the manga and anime Nippon Sangoku. It tours the actual spots in Ehime, Osaka, Fukui, and Aichi that became settings in the story, with the scenes they inspired, what to see on site, and how to reach them from abroad.
The museum's official site, with hours, admission, and reservations (English available).
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