Dinosaur Museum

Fukui Dinosaur Museum is regarded as one of the best dinosaur museums in the world, dedicated to both research and education, with plenty of information and explanations in both Japanese and English. The museum is located in Katsuyama City, close to the largest excavation site in Japan, where a large number of fossils were unearthed, more than any other site in Japan. The museum exhibits more than 40 dinosaur skeletons, many of them very large. The exhibitions themselves are detailed, interesting and informative, a particularly good one being dedicated to the evolution of dinosaurs into birds. As well as skeletons, there are several animatronic models (including a T-Rex that greets visitors to the museum!) and many other models and displays besides. The museum also has a number of geological specimens as well as invertebrate fossils plus a variety of different rocks. In spring and autumn, visitors are able to try their hand at fossil excavation alongside researchers in an open air section of the museum. There is also, of course, a great merchandise shop selling both realistic and very cute dinosaur dolls and models. This is a great museum for adults and children, particularly those going through their dinosaur phase. Fun and informative, this is a great day out if you are in the region.