JuneKanazawa Hyakumangoku Matsuri
Chubu & Hokuriku ・ Kanazawa
Usually 3 days in early June (the Hyakumangoku Procession is on Saturday; June 5–7 in 2026, procession on June 6)
Experience · Chubu & Hokuriku
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
Katsuyama, FukuiMostly indoors · rain-friendlyAdvance, date-specific tickets required
Overview
Overview
A dinosaur-themed museum in Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture. It displays 51 complete dinosaur skeletons along with fossils, dioramas, and life-size models, and a new wing was added in 2023. Tickets are generally bought in advance for a specific date and time, so book on the official website once your itinerary is set.
- Address
- 51-11 Terao, Muraoka-cho, Katsuyama, Fukui 911-8601
- Closed
- 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (next day if a holiday; open every day during the summer holidays), December 31, and January 1. In October 2026, closed on the 14th and 28th
- Time needed
- Permanent exhibition: about 1 to 1.5 hours
- Official website
- https://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/
Area weather
KanazawaWeather & what to wear in Kanazawa →Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Highlights
Highlights
The highlights are the rows of complete dinosaur skeletons and the impressive life-size models. Until November 3, 2026, the special exhibition Sauropods: The Largest Land Animals That Shook the Earth is on. Through November 3, you can also try fossil digging on a tour of the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum, reached by a dedicated bus from the main building (reservation required).
Hours
Opening hours
Opening hours9:00–17:00
Entry until 16:30
Summer holidays (July 18 – August 16)8:30–18:00
Entry until 17:30
Hours vary by day and season. Check the official website before you go.
Tickets
Prices & tickets
General¥1,000
Permanent exhibition. Combo with the Sauropods special exhibition ¥1,800 (until November 3)
High school & university students¥800
Special exhibition combo ¥1,600
Elementary & junior high students¥500
Special exhibition combo ¥1,000
Age 70+¥500
Special exhibition combo ¥1,000
PreschoolersFree
People with disabilitiesFree
Admission waived for holders of a disability certificate or similar and one caregiver
Outdoor Dinosaur Museum tourGeneral ¥1,300, high school & university students ¥1,100, elementary & junior high students and age 70+ ¥650
Until November 3 in 2026. Apply by 23:59 the day before
Prices include tax and may change. Check the official website before buying.
🎫 How to buy tickets
- →Tickets are generally bought (and paid for) in advance for a specific date and time. They go on sale on the official website 60 days before your visit
- →Same-day tickets are sold at the ticket machines inside only if there's capacity left. They can sell out, so buying in advance is the safe option
- →Tickets can be canceled until 16:30 on the day
- →Online payment: credit card, Paidy, PayPay. On site: cash, credit card, e-money, QR code payments
- →Fossil digging and the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum require advance application by 23:59 the day before (cancellation until 7:00 on the day)
Tickets & tours for this attractionPR
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓Buying a date- and time-specific ticket in advance is the standard approach. Tickets go on sale 60 days ahead
- ✓Closed on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (October 14 and 28 in 2026)
- ✓From Fukui Station, about 1 hour on the Echizen Railway to Katsuyama Station, then about 10 min on the direct bus
- ✓The Sauropods special exhibition runs until November 3, 2026. Enter with a combo ticket including the permanent exhibition
- ✓Fossil digging at the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum requires a reservation by the day before and is available until November 3
Access
Getting there
- Nearest station
- Katsuyama Station (Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line)About 10 min by bus or taxiA direct bus runs every day the museum is open
- From major stations & airports
- Fukui Station: Echizen Railway Katsuyama Eiheiji Line to Katsuyama Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi (About 1 hour + about 10 min)
- Fukui Station: XR bus WOW RIDE Ikossa! Fukui-go (runs daily; reservation required)
- Direct buses & boats
- Direct bus from Katsuyama Station (runs every day the museum is open). Park-and-ride shuttle buses run on designated busy days
- Getting back
- Parking is free. During busy periods, surrounding roads get congested and parking takes time
- Unlimited same-day re-entry, so you can take a break at the nearby Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest and come back
Crowds
Crowds & best time to go
- Busy
- Summer holidays, long holidays, and weekends/holidays (surrounding roads get congested and parking takes time)
- Time needed
- Permanent exhibition: about 1 to 1.5 hours
Weather
Weather & what to wear
Spring
The Outdoor Dinosaur Museum opens from mid-April.
Summer
From July 18 to August 16, hours are extended to 8:30–18:00 with no closing days. Surrounding roads tend to be congested.
Autumn
The Sauropods special exhibition and the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum run until November 3. Traffic control measures are in place in the area on October 11 and November 22.
Winter
Closed December 31 and January 1. The Outdoor Dinosaur Museum is closed for the season.
- ☂ Rainy days
- Exhibits are indoors, so it's easy to visit on rainy days. The Outdoor Dinosaur Museum is an outdoor experience
- Heat
- The museum is indoors. During the summer holidays, be prepared for the walk from the parking lot to the entrance and for crowds
- Cold
- Katsuyama gets heavy snow in winter. If driving, be prepared for winter roads
- What to wear & bring
- Everyday clothes are fine inside. Gloves are needed for fossil digging at the Outdoor Dinosaur Museum (tools are provided)
Rules
Rules & what you can bring
- !Unlimited same-day re-entry (using the QR code on your ticket)
- !Eating and drinking only in designated areas
- !Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited. Photography for personal use only
- !Assistance dogs only; no other pets
Facilities
Facilities & services
- Lockers & luggage
- Coin lockers on 3F
- Payment
- On site: cash, credit cards, e-money, QR code payments. Online: credit card, Paidy, PayPay
- Strollers & wheelchairs
- Strollers and wheelchairs loaned free on 3F
- Accessibility
- Admission waived for holders of a disability certificate or similar and one caregiver. Nursing room on 3F
- Language support
- Information in Japanese, English, and Chinese
Food
Food
- Must-try
- Restaurant DINO CAFE (no reservations)
Events
Events & festivals in Kanazawa
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Hours, prices and access are based on official and other primary sources. They may change, so check the official website before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-02
