Guide to visiting the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

• Table of Contents
• Let's prepare in advance
• Latest Attractions:3 must-see spots inside  the museum
• Plan Your Visit for a Smooth Experience
• shopping and dining
• A Must-Know for Visitors Using Public Transportation!
• Hotels and accommodations near the Dinosaur Museum
• Enjoy  the renovated dinosaur museum

Let's prepare in advance

buy tickets

Currently, advance reservations are required to enter the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Once you have decided on your visit date,book  your ticket as soon as possible.

 Same-day ticketsA limited number of same-day tickets are available at the museum entrance, but only if there are remaining reservations.During long holidays and summer vacations, tickets sell out quickly, so it is best to book in advance.

Click here for ticket types and prices.

Reserve your fossil excavation experience in advance!

the Fossil excavation experiences is a must-do activity, offering two exciting options:

・Outdoor Fossil Excavation – Travel outside the park by bus for a hands-on experience at a real dig site.

・Park Fossil Excavation – Stay within Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest Park for an on-site excavation adventure.

Reservation Required
Both experiences require advance booking and fill up quickly, especially during long holidays and summer vacation. Secure your spot early to avoid missing out.

Latest Attractions:3 must-see spots inside  the museum

1. 

Location :  first basement floor of the main building.
As you step inside, a life-sized moving Tyrannosaurus robot will greet you. Its lifelike movements are so realistic that you might instinctively take a step back.

This massive Tyrannosaurus moves its head and tail, creating an impressive presence. The detailed design and fluid motion make it feel like stepping into the Jurassic era.

Although its movements can be intimidating, it is a must-see attraction for visitors.

2. Three-sided dyno theater

This immersive theater features three massive screens in the special exhibition room, offering a unique cinematic experience. The screen displays stunning recreations of the Fukui Station area today and its prehistoric landscape during the Early Cretaceous period, 120 million years ago. As dinosaurs appear on the screen, the theater vibrates with their footsteps making the experience even more lifelike and engaging.

3. Japan’s First Unveiling of the“Mummy fossil of the herbivorous dinosaur Brachylophosaurus”

Visitors can see an authentic mummy fossil of Brachylophosaurus, a herbivorous dinosaur, displayed in Japan for the first time.

What makes this fossil extraordinary is the remarkably preserved skin impressions covering 80 to 90 percent of its body. This is an extremely rare find, as fewer than ten mummy fossils have been confirmed worldwide.

Standing before this specimen offers a rare opportunity to connect with the distant past, providing a glimpse into what dinosaurs may have truly looked like.

Plan Your Visit for a Smooth Experience

Beyond the main museum, there are many activities and attractions to explore. To make the most of your day, planning in advance is recommended.

Things to do outside the museum:
1. Katsuyama Dino Park – Walk among life-sized dinosaur models

2. Fossil Excavation Experiences – Try digging for real fossils within the park

3. Private Bus Tours – Travel to additional fossil sites outside the park

4. Special Exhibitions – Held during the summer holidays, featuring limited-time displays

With so much to see and do, creating a schedule in advance will help you maximize your experience and enjoy a seamless visit.

■Recommended model course April to November ver.

AM 9:00~11:00 Tour the dinosaur museum and browse souvenirs at the museum shop

AM 11:00~PM 12:30 Lunch at DINO Cafe

PM 1:00~3:00 Join the outdoor  excavation and the fossil excavation experience within  the park!

PM 3:00~4:00 Visit Dino Park

PM 4:00~5:00 Shop for souvenirs at Geo Terminal and Rainbow House

Note:  The outdoor fossil excavation experience runs  from mid-July to early November, while the fossil excavation experience is available from late March to late November.

■Recommended model course (December to March ver.)

AM 9:00~11:00 Tour the dinosaur museum and browse souvenirs at the museum shop

AM 11:00~PM 12:00 Enjoy winter  activities such as cross country and sledding at Snowland

PM 1:00~2:00 Lunch at Zaurus Kitchen

PM 2:00~4:00 Experience in the museum (fossil excavation plus)

PM 4:00~5:00 Shop  for souvenirs at Geoterminal and Rainbow House

*Note: The availability of snowland depends on snowfall conditions, may be adjusted accordingly

shopping and dining

The museum underwent major renovations in July 2023, expanding its shopping and dining areas and introducing new menu items.

At the museum’s restaurants, visitors can enjoy Fukui’s famous dishes, such as:

・Sauce Katsudon (pork cutlet rice bowl with tangy sauce)

・Oroshi Soba (grated daikon radish soba noodles)

The diverse menu offers something for all ages, from children to seniors, making it an enjoyable dining experience for everyone.The museum shop has also expanded, featuring an even wider selection of exclusive sweets and dinosaur-themed goods

Additional Shopping & Dining Nearby:

Souvenir Shop Furaputuru – One of Japan’s largest dinosaur specialty stores, offering unique items not available inside the museum.

Saurus Kitchen – Located in the same building, this restaurant is a great alternative if the museum’s dining areas are crowded.

A Must-Know for Visitors Using Public Transportation!

Get to the Dinosaur Museum with a Discounted Set Ticket

A value-packed set ticket is available, which includes:
・A one-day pass for the Echizen Railway

・Unlimited rides on Daifuku Kotsu buses within Katsuyama City

・Admission to the Dinosaur Museum’s permanent exhibition

This is a convenient and budget-friendly way to visit the museum.

Click here for details on Echizen Railway discount set tickets

Hotels and accommodations near the Dinosaur Museum

Katsuyama City, home to the Dinosaur Museum, offers 15 different accommodations, including:

・Hotels

・Guesthouses & Inns

・Pensions (small lodges)

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are camping facilities available as well.

List of accommodation facilities in Katsuyama City

Enjoy  the renovated dinosaur museum

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.

Spend a fun-filled day surrounded by dinosaurs, and who knows you might just fall in love with dinosaurs even more! 

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

911-8601 51-11 Terao, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture

Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture is known nationwide as a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the world's leading dinosaur museums. The vast, immersive space is filled with exhibits of dinosaur skeletons, fossils, specimens, dioramas, reconstructed models, and more, allowing you to see impressive dinosaurs up close. The area surrounding the museum is also full of experiences such as fossil excavations and play equipment, making it an area that the whole family can enjoy. The Dinosaur Tower, which reopened in July 2023 and appeared in the new small egg hall, is a must-see. In the atrium of the new building, there is a 13m-tall monument called the Dinosaur Tower, which features five species of dinosaurs and one species of bird discovered in Fukui. In addition, the facility has been upgraded to be a facility that can be enjoyed in all seasons, including the impressive ``3-sided Dino Theater'' and the ``Fossil Research Experience'' .