Love dinosaurs? Did you know Japan has one of the biggest and best dinosaur museums in the world? Read on for more.
Intro
Step back in time 120 million years! Fascinating and frightening in equal measure, dinosaurs continue to capture the imaginations of young and old alike thanks to their regular appearances in contemporary film and media, most famously in Hollywood movies like Jurassic Park. Japan, similarly, is a dream destination for millions of people and thanks to recent transport innovations, it’s easier than ever for visitors to explore Japan and discover the dinosaurs that once roamed the islands, ruled the skies, and swam the seas. Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is one of the world’s best dinosaur museums and is now more accessible than ever thanks to a new high-speed bullet train connection set to open in 2024 in Japan. This newly extended Shinkansen route will not only give visitors faster and easier access to this incredible Jurassic Park-style museum, but will also open up other exciting travel opportunities in the surrounding prefecture. Better yet, the new journey is fully covered by your Japan Rail Pass. Want to find out more? Let’s walk like a dinosaur!
Fukui: the Dinosaur Capital of Japan
Incredibly, around 80% of all dinosaur fossils from Japan were found in Fukui. It’s no wonder, the region is known as the dinosaur capital of Japan. From the claws of terrifying predators to the fossilised footprints of the biggest creatures to roam the earth, the discoveries made in Fukui have put both the region and Japan as a country on the map as one of the best dinosaur destinations on the planet.
Why is Fukui Famous for Dinosaurs?
Since the first archaeological discoveries were made in Fukui in the 1980s, the city has gone from strength to strength as a world-leading location for dinosaur digs, unearthing a wealth of prehistoric history. The region’s discoveries have proved so important that many of the new species uncovered in Japan were given names related to Fukui such as the Fukuisaurus and Fukuiraptor.
As a result of these discoveries, the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama was opened, featuring more than 1,000 exhibitions, 44 skeletons, fossils, video screens, state-of-the-art interactive elements, and much more, in a huge 4,500-square metre space.
The local area has also warmly embraced its dinosaur heritage too. In fact, from the moment you step off the train at Fukui Station, you’ll notice colourful dinosaur murals on the station exterior, animatronic dinosaurs outside, dinosaur-themed restaurants, and more. Now, in 2024, thanks to a new Shinkansen extension, it’s going to be easier than ever for dinosaur-loving visitors, from Japan and overseas, to visit this fantastic museum. 
The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Extension
Bonus Recommendations
Japan has a wealth of museums, art galleries, aquariums, theme parks, and more for visitors to enjoy - many of which are family friendly and educational, and which would combine beautifully with a visit to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Here’s a few suggestions for you to consider:
- See modern day giants of the sea at Japan’s Best Aquariums.
- From Tokyo Disneyland and Sea to Universal Studios (including Super Nintendo World), Ghibli Park, and more, Japan has some of the greatest theme parks on the planet.
- If art and culture is more your speed, why not take a trip to the Miho Museum in Shiga or use your JR Pass to travel to Naoshima Art Island.
