Katsuyama Guide (Fukui)A town guide by local hosts · Icoina Inc., Katsuyama, Fukui
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama, Fukui is one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world, and the biggest of its kind in Japan. This guide covers what first-time visitors from overseas most want to know: how to get tickets, how long to spend, and how to get there.
It is written by Icoina Inc., a local company in Katsuyama that runs four whole-home vacation rentals near the museum. We add the local tips you won't find on the official website.
Quick facts↑ Contents
| Time needed | About 2 hours (a little longer if you stop at the café) |
| Opening hours | 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) |
| Tickets | Advance reservation required. Buy online via the official ticket page |
| Admission (main exhibition) | Adults ¥1,000 / high school & university students ¥800 / elementary & junior high students and seniors 70+ ¥500 / preschool children free |
| Closed | 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (next day if a national holiday; open every day during the summer holidays), December 31 and January 1 |
| Busiest | Weekends, national holidays, Golden Week (early May) and the summer holidays |
| Parking | About 1,400 spaces, free |
Information as of November 11, 2026. Please check the official website before you go.
How long should you spend at the museum?↑ Contents
Plan for about 2 hours to see the main exhibition. There is a café inside, so allow a little more time if you want a break.
Families with children and adult travellers usually need about the same time. Adults can take time with the explanations, and kids can stay as long as they like with their favourite dinosaurs.
What to see: moving dinosaurs and a surprising gem collection↑ Contents
The exhibition hall is divided into three zones: World of Dinosaurs, Earth Science and History of Life. There are 51 full dinosaur skeletons and large life-size dioramas.
- Moving dinosaurs: the realistic moving dinosaur models are a favourite with both children and adults
- Minerals and gemstones: the Earth Science zone has a beautiful collection of minerals and gems that many visitors don't expect
Tickets and reservations↑ Contents
The museum works on an advance reservation system. Choose your date and buy tickets on the official ticket page linked from the museum's admission page.
- Online payment: credit card, Paidy and PayPay. The ticket machines at the museum also accept cash and other cashless payments
- While reservations are required, there are no free-admission days
- The Outdoor Dinosaur Museum (fossil-digging experience, adults ¥1,300) is charged separately from the main exhibition. Preschool children are free but must be registered
- The Fossil Research Experience is ¥2,200 for adults including main exhibition admission. It is not open to preschool children
When is it crowded?↑ Contents
- Weekends and national holidays are busy. Weekdays are usually much quieter
- Golden Week (late April to early May) and the summer holidays are the busiest times of the year
- On very busy days, free shuttle buses may run from temporary car parks. Check the museum or Katsuyama City announcements for dates
How to get to the Fukui Dinosaur Museum↑ Contents
The museum is in Katsuyama, in the mountains east of Fukui city. By train, the key point is to reach JR Fukui Station first.
By train and bus
- Travel to JR Fukui Station
- From Tokyo: Hokuriku Shinkansen direct to Fukui
- From Kanazawa: Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui
- From Kyoto or Osaka: Limited Express Thunderbird to Tsuruga, then the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui
- At Fukui, change to the local Echizen Railway (Katsuyama Eiheiji Line) and ride to the last stop, Katsuyama Station
- From Katsuyama Station, take a bus or taxi to the museum
There are also direct buses from JR Fukui Station to the museum on some days. See the official access page for current routes and timetables.
By car
- Take the Chubu Jukan Expressway to Katsuyama IC, then Route 416 (about 30 minutes from Fukui-Kita JCT)
- Parking is free. There is no roof between the car park and the entrance, so bring an umbrella on rainy days
Visiting in winter↑ Contents
- Katsuyama gets cold and snowy in winter. A warm down jacket is a must
- The main streets in Katsuyama have built-in water sprinklers that melt the snow, so driving in town is easier than you might expect
- If you're driving, you'll need winter tyres or snow chains
Where to eat near the museum↑ Contents
The museum has its own restaurant, but these local favourites are worth the short drive:
- Echizen Soba Katsushoku: a soba noodle restaurant close to the museum
- Fukusai Shokudo Nomuraya: known for katsudon, including Fukui's famous sauce katsudon. Tatami seating and private rooms make it easy with children
- Kappo Mine: rice bowls and set meals with fresh seafood from Fukui's market
- Grill Yamada: a long-loved local Western-style restaurant
- Gohanya Gottso: daily set meals made with home-grown rice and local ingredients
Opening hours and closing days can change, so check before you go.
More to see in Katsuyama after the museum↑ Contents
If you have time, explore more of Katsuyama:
- Echizen Daibutsu: a temple with a giant Buddha statue
- Katsuyama Castle Museum: a castle-style museum right next to the Daibutsu (closed in winter and on Wednesdays)
- Heisenji Hakusan Shrine: a nationally designated historic site with grounds covered in moss. A quiet, peaceful place
Where to stay near the Fukui Dinosaur Museum↑ Contents
These are the whole-home vacation rentals run by Icoina Inc., the company behind this guide. Each one is about 5–7 minutes by car from the museum.
- Icoina Katsuyama (Ekimae) (up to 8 guests): 1 minute on foot from Katsuyama Station. Arrive by train and take the bus to the museum — no car park queues
- Tyranno Stay Katsuyama (up to 10 guests): 100-inch projectors in two bedrooms and dinosaur artwork
- Dino Stay Yoshino (up to 12 guests): ideal for large groups or two families travelling together
- Yado Glass (up to 6 guests): in central Katsuyama, with a bar on the ground floor (open Thursday to Saturday)
FAQ↑ Contents
Q. How long does it take to see the Fukui Dinosaur Museum?
A. About 2 hours for the main exhibition. Allow a little more if you want to stop at the café.
Q. Do I need to book tickets in advance?
A. Yes. The museum requires advance reservations. Buy tickets online through the official ticket page.
Q. How much are tickets?
A. The main exhibition is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥800 for high school and university students, ¥500 for elementary and junior high school students and seniors aged 70+, and free for preschool children (as of November 2026).
Q. When is the museum most crowded?
A. Weekends, national holidays, Golden Week and the summer holidays. Weekdays are quieter.
Q. Can I get there without a car?
A. Yes. Take the train to JR Fukui Station, change to the Echizen Railway to Katsuyama Station, then take a bus or taxi to the museum.
