Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest Park

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Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest Park

BBQ garden and food stalls! The whole family can play together for a day.

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This park is unique to Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, which boasts the largest number of dinosaur fossils excavated in Japan.

The vast park is dotted with facilities and playgrounds related to dinosaurs, such as the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, which is known as one of the world's three major dinosaur museums and is popular for its exhibition of dinosaur skeletons using real bone fossils and its giant life-size diorama, the Katsuyama Dino Park, where 44 life-size dinosaurs are hiding in the forest, a walking path with an ancient pond, and a plaza with playground equipment.

At the "Fossil Excavation Land," visitors can try their hand at breaking rocks to uncover fossils from the Early Cretaceous period, about 120 million years ago. You can even take home the fossils you find as souvenirs. (However, fossils of vertebrates such as dinosaurs that can be used as research materials must be donated to the museum.)

The park has restaurants and cafes, a garden with barbecue facilities, and food stalls selling Dinosaur Burger and Dinosaur Yaki, the specialties of Dinosaur Forest. Various hands-on events are also held according to the season.

Highlights

  • Free indoor rest area available.
  • The excavation experience takes about one hour and is suitable for ages 4 and up. Advance reservations are required.

Photos

  • A Tyrannosaurus suddenly appears in the forest.

    A Tyrannosaurus suddenly appears in the forest.

  • Fossil excavation is a popular experience for children.

    Fossil excavation is a popular experience for children.

  • Dinosaurs lurk here and there in the forest.

    Dinosaurs lurk here and there in the forest.

  • Sugiyama Ryu slide

    Sugiyama Ryu slide

  • The park also has benches and a waterfront playground.

    The park also has benches and a waterfront playground.

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Details

Name in Japanese
かつやま恐竜の森
Postal Code
911-0023
Address
1-59 Murokochoterao, Katsuyama City, Fukui
Telephone
0779-88-8777
Closed
December 29-January 2
Business Hours
7:00am-8:00pm (Subject to change depending on the season)
Admission
Free
(Excavation experience, Katsuyama Dino Park, BBQ garden, and Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum are not included.)
Directions
Take a city bus from Katsuyama Station on the Echizen Railway, get off at Dinosaur Museum, and walk a short distance.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)