Not just a dinosaur museum! Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest Park is a dinosaur spot in Fukui that families can enjoy too!

• Table of Contents
• What kind of place is Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori?
• 1. Experience fossil excavation at "Exciting Dinosaur Excavation Land"
• 2. Meet life-sized dinosaurs at Katsuyama Dino Park
• 3. Immerse yourself in the world of dinosaurs at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
• 4. Play at the dinosaur monuments and athletic facilities
• 5. Barbecue Garden
• 6. Enjoy winter activities at Snowland
• 7. Lots of dinosaur goods! Don't miss the souvenirs!
• Park map
• If you're staying near the Dinosaur Museum, check this out
• Contact Information
• summary

What kind of place is Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori?

This is a park where you can enjoy dinosaurs to your heart's content, including the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, known as one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world, and Katsuyama Dino Park, where you can feel as if you have wandered into the world of dinosaurs. There are so many things to do and souvenirs to take home that you won't have enough time in one day, making it a must-visit place when you visit Katsuyama, the kingdom of dinosaurs.

Facility details

Business hours: 8:30~17:30 *May change depending on the season

Parking: 1200 cars (free)

Closed: December 29th to January 2nd

Admission: Free (experience fees apply at each facility)

Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori

access

・If you are coming by car

Hokuriku Expressway (Fukui Kita JCT) → Chubu Longitudinal Expressway (Katsuyama IC) → National Route 416 (30 minutes from Fukui)

Tokai Hokuriku Expressway (Shiratori JCT/IC) → Chubu Jukan Expressway Saka Toge Road (National Route 158, Route 157) (Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes from Shiratori JCT/IC)

・If you are coming by public transport

Echizen Railway "Fukui Station" → "Katsuyama Station" → "Dinosaur Museum Direct Bus" from Katsuyama Station (Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes from Fukui Station)

1. Experience fossil excavation at "Exciting Dinosaur Excavation Land"

Katsuyama City is the kingdom of dinosaurs, boasting the largest number of dinosaur fossils excavated in Japan. At "Dokidoki Dinosaur Land," you can experience fossil excavation by breaking rocks from the Early Cretaceous period 120 million years ago. You can take home one of the fossils you find as a souvenir. Excavate a fossil, have a wonderful experience, and get a commemorative fossil!

*Please note that some types of fossils may be used for fossil research.

Facility details

Event period: Late March to late November

Admission fee: Junior high school students and under: 600 yen, high school students: 950 yen, adults: 1150 yen

Age: 4 years and above (non-participants can watch from the surrounding area)

Duration: 60 minutes (maximum 4 sessions per day)

Reservations for the fossil excavation experience can be made here

2. Meet life-sized dinosaurs at Katsuyama Dino Park

Katsuyama Dino Park has four attractions, including impressive life-size dinosaurs and a giant insect tour. There are attractions for both children and adults, such as the Dinosaur Mori and Dinosaur Maze, and Gao Gao Square, which is filled with attractions that small children will enjoy. After learning at the Dinosaur Museum, be sure to have fun with the dinosaurs at Katsuyama Dino Park!

"Mori where dinosaurs live + Dinosaur maze"

The most popular attraction is the "Mori of Dinosaurs," a walk-through attraction where you can experience the feeling of adventuring in the world of dinosaurs with life-sized dinosaur robots (objects) present everywhere. More than 60 dinosaurs are hiding in the Mori consisting of nine zones, waiting for you. The dinosaurs moving and roaring loudly are very impressive. One of the nine zones is the "Dinosaur Maze." It's very easy to get lost because of the mirrors. It's indoors, so it's a recommended place to enjoy even on rainy days.

Facility details

Business hours: 9:00~17:00 (last entrance 16:30)

Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month (open during summer vacation), open from late March to late November

Price: Junior high school students and above: 1000 yen on weekdays, 1200 yen on weekends and holidays

Ages 3 to elementary school students: 800 yen on weekdays, 1000 yen on weekends and holidays

Travel time: approx. 20 minutes

Total length: 600m

The "Giant Insect Adventure Tour" has also been renewed!

The Giant Insect Adventure Tour takes you on an electric insect tram around a Mori inhabited by giant insects. The insects, which are usually much smaller than you, appear before your very eyes in giant form, giving you a strange feeling of being tiny yourself. The tour is scheduled to reopen in March 2025, with the addition of over 30 new insects and creatures. Enjoy this exciting tour, where you can view and enjoy a total of 73 insects while listening to an audio guide.

Facility details

Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entrance 16:30)

Price: 800 yen for ages 3 and up

Set ticket (Dinosaur Mori+ Dinosaur Maze + Giant Insect Tour)

→Adults 1,600 yen / Children 1,400 yen

Travel time: approx. 15 minutes

Have fun at Gaogao Square

"Gaogao Hiroba" is a place where you can enjoy dinosaurs and five attractions.

There are attractions for all ages, so even small children can have fun. You can ride around the square on a dinosaur train or on the back of a dinosaur, and on sunny days you can enjoy boating and golfing while being watched by dinosaurs. You'll feel like you're in a small amusement park, and your children are sure to have fun!

Facility details

Gaogao Boat
Price: 500 yen
Remarks: Ages 3 to 6th grade, weight up to 40kg (cancelled in case of rain)

Gao Gao Train
Fee: 500 yen
Remarks: Ages 0 and up *Children under 2 years old must be accompanied by a guardian aged 18 or over (cancelled in case of rain)

Gaogao Golf
Fee: 500 yen
Note: 9 courses in total, suitable for all ages (cancelled in case of rain)

Gao Gao Ride
Price: 100 yen
Note: Weight limit: 40kg

Gaogao Walk
Fee: 100 yen
Note: Weight up to 80kg

3. Immerse yourself in the world of dinosaurs at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

One of the most popular attractions at Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori is the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, known as one of the three largest dinosaur museums in the world. There are many exhibits, including dinosaur skeletons, specimens, and dioramas. Among the highlights are a Tyrannosaurus robot and a mummy fossil, of which less than 10 have been discovered in the world. The museum will be renovated in July 2023, and new exhibition rooms will be added, as well as a large-screen theater and special exhibitions. Since it is indoors, it can be enjoyed regardless of the weather, making it a fascinating tourist spot that we recommend to everyone.

Facility details

Business hours: 9:00~17:00 (entry until 16:30)

*Extended summer opening hours: 8:30~18:00 (entry until 17:30)

Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month (the following day on public holidays, open during summer vacation), and New Year's holidays (12/31 and 1/1)

Admission fee (permanent exhibition admission fee)

Adults: 1,000 yen, High school and university students: 800 yen, Elementary and junior high school students: 500 yen, Age 70 and over: 500 yen

4. Play at the dinosaur monuments and athletic facilities

Tyrannosaurus Square

The largest playground equipment in the park is the popular "Tyrannosaurus Square." There is a particularly large Tarzan rope and an impressive dinosaur monument. Next to the playground equipment is the "Dinosaur Waterside," where you can splash around in the water on hot days.

Chamagon Square

This park is located right outside the Dinosaur Museum. There are lots of fun play equipment, such as a large slide, a Tarzan rope, and a climbing wall. There are also low play equipment that even small children can enjoy, and a safe cylindrical slide, so children of all ages can have fun. There is also a grassy area next door, so you can enjoy a picnic or snack on the grass on a sunny day.

5. Barbecue Garden

You can enjoy a barbecue surrounded by beautiful greenery and clear air. There are 11 barbecue blocks, all with seating and a sunshade roof. As food is not sold here, you will need to go to a local supermarket or butcher to buy your ingredients, so please be sure to buy local ingredients at the Roadside Station or supermarket. If you are traveling with your family or a group, be sure to enjoy the day camp atmosphere at the BBQ Garden.

Available hours: 9:00~16:00 (last entry at 13:00)

Price Raptor site (10 people per site): 1,000 yen

Titan site (maximum 20 people per site): 2,000 yen

BBQ Titan site reservation

BBQ Raptor Site Reservation

6. Enjoy winter activities at Snowland

When snow falls, Dinosaur Mori is transformed into "Snow Land"! You can enjoy snow activities such as sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. If you wear snowshoes, you can walk on the fluffy snow without your feet getting buried. This is a highly recommended area for those coming from areas where it doesn't snow.

Rental Fee

Sled: 300 yen per sled, Cross-country skiing: 500 yen per hour, Snowshoes: 300 yen per hour

*Sleds and cross-country skis are also allowed.

・Season: During snowfall in winter (usually January to February *May change depending on snowfall conditions)

7. Lots of dinosaur goods! Don't miss the souvenirs!

There are many places selling souvenirs in Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori. Some items are only available at certain stores, so please visit the various stores and find a souvenir that you like.

Shop Rainbow (Rainbow Free Rest Area)

Shop Rainbow is a souvenir shop in the Rainbow free rest area in the parking lot in front of the Dinosaur Museum. Please stop by while you're taking a break.

Shop Dino Park (inside Katsuyama Dino Park)

The shop in the reception building of Katsuyama Dino Park sells a wide variety of souvenirs, such as dinosaur T-shirts, towels, and sweets, which are perfect as a memento of your visit or as a souvenir. Please stop by after playing at Katsuyama Dino Park.

Shop Ganbaryu (Park Management Office)

There is a souvenir shop called "Shop Ganbaryu" inside the park management office, located halfway up the Saka to the Dinosaur Museum. Here, you can purchase original towels from Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori. Please check it out.

Souvenir Shop Fraputle (inside Geo Terminal)

The Souvenir Shop Flaputle is located inside the Geo Terminal, a food and beverage facility in front of the Dinosaur Museum. Aiming to be one of the largest dinosaur specialty stores in Japan, the shop stocks approximately 4,000 types of dinosaur goods. There are plenty of original products as well as dinosaur stuffed toys and sweets. It is also a bus stop, so be sure to stop by when you take a break at the Geo Terminal.

Park map

・Dinosaur Excavation Land (5 minutes walk from the Dinosaur Museum)

・Katsuyama Dino Park (right in front of the Dinosaur Museum No. 2 parking lot)

・Tyrannosaurus Square (5 minutes walk from the Dinosaur Museum)

・Geo Terminal (inside the Dinosaur Museum No. 1 Parking Lot)

If you're staying near the Dinosaur Museum, check this out

For those who want to continue enjoying dinosaurs after a day of immersing themselves in dinosaurs at Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori, we recommend two recommended accommodations. In addition to standard rooms, rooms with dinosaur motifs decorated with dinosaurs are also popular, and are irresistible for dinosaur lovers and those traveling with children. If you want to enjoy dinosaurs, be sure to check them out.

Hotel Harvest Ski Jam Katsuyama

Hotel Harvest Ski Jam Katsuyama

911-0000 Fukui Prefecture , Katsuyama City, 170-70 Ski Jam Katsuyama

This hotel is attractive for its magnificent view of the Hakusan mountain range. Located at the front of the Ski Jam Katsuyama, you can enjoy the pure white snow world in winter, and mountain biking, Segway riding, barbecues, and other outdoor activities throughout the seasons from spring to autumn. The large Sasayuri hot spring bath is famous for its beauty-enhancing waters, and the sunset view from the open-air bath is a must-see. It is also conveniently located about 10 minutes by car from the Dinosaur Museum.

Katsuyama New Hotel

Katsuyama New Hotel

911-0811 2-114 Katase-cho , Katsuyama City , Fukui Prefecture

A 10-minute walk from the hotel is the Echizen Great Buddha（Echizen Daibutsu) and five-story pagoda, said to be the most magnificent in Japan, and nearby is Hakusan Temple, a nationally designated historic site that was founded by the great monk Taicho 1,300 years ago and is now highly regarded as the remains of a "medieval religious city." It is also close to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which inspires the romanticism of a wide range of people, from adults to children. In the nearby mountains is Ski Jam Katsuyama, one of the largest ski resorts in western Japan, and in the winter season the area changes completely, creating the bustle unique to a snowy country.

Contact Information

Park Management Office

Phone: 0779-88-8777

FAX: 0779-64-5020

Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori Website

summary

Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori is an irresistible attraction for dinosaur lovers. You can spend the whole day immersed in the world of dinosaurs, with fossil excavation experiences, encounters with life-sized dinosaurs, and one of Japan's largest dinosaur museums. There are also hotels around the park with dinosaur rooms, so you can enjoy the world of dinosaurs even more by staying there. Even if you're not a dinosaur fan, be sure to visit Katsuyama Dinosaur Mori, which can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults.