Fukui Dinosaur Museum

Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast


Kids love the larger-than-life replicas and fossilised relics of the Jurassic Park–styled Fukui Dinosaur Museum, one of the three largest museums of its kind in the world. There are plenty of English explanations and more than 40 main exhibits (including interactive ones) concerned with natural history, prehistoric flora and fauna, and the dinosaurs that once roamed Japan and other parts of the world. The closest train station is Katsuyama on the privately owned Echizen line, but your best bet is self-driving.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast attractions

1. Echizen Ōno-jō

6.73 MILES

Atop a hill overlooking the town, this little yamashiro (mountain castle) is a true delight, even if it is a replica and you have to climb all those…

2. Daihonzan Eihei-ji

8.65 MILES

In 1244 the great Zen master Dōgen (1200–53), founder of the Sōtō sect of Zen Buddhism, established Eihei-ji, the 'Temple of Eternal Peace', in a forest…

3. Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Ruins

13.05 MILES

Designated a national historic site, this out-of-the-way place features one of the largest town ruins in Japan, dating from the early 15th century. It's…

4. Yokokan Garden

15.8 MILES

This quaint garden, formerly a mansion of the Matsudaira clan, has a pretty teahouse where you can sit in silence and contemplate life, or feed the…

5. Zenshō-ji

18.72 MILES

The Daishōji Station area is crammed with temples, including Zenshō-ji, which houses more than 500 amusingly carved Buddhist arhat sculptures.

6. Kutaniyaki Porcelain Art Museum

18.74 MILES

Stunning examples of bright and colourful local porcelain are on display here, about an eight-minute walk from Daishōji Station.

7. Motorcar Museum of Japan

18.82 MILES

You're likely to be a little astounded by this collection of more than 500 pristine Japanese (and foreign) vehicles housed over three floors, in a massive…

8. Tōjinbō

24.27 MILES

Legend says that these rock formations 25km northwest of Fukui came about when Tōjinbō, an evil priest, was cast off the cliff by angry villagers in 1182;…

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