🗺️ Katsuyama Dinosaur Forestかつやま恐竜の森

Fukui Prefecture's Katsuyama City, known for having the highest number of dinosaur fossil excavations in Japan, features a unique park. It is home to the "Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum," renowned as one of the world's top three dinosaur museums, which showcases real fossilized bones and massive life-sized models of dinosaurs. Additionally, the "Katsuyama DINOPARK" hides 44 life-sized dinosaur replicas within the forest, while the expansive grounds include walking paths around the ancient pond and playgrounds equipped with play structures, all filled with dinosaur-related facilities and attractions. In the "Fossil Digging LAND," visitors can challenge themselves to break open rocks to uncover fossils from the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 120 million years ago. Moreover, the fossils discovered can be taken home as souvenirs (however, vertebrate fossils, such as those of dinosaurs, must be donated to the museum for research purposes). The park also features restaurants and cafes, a barbecue area equipped for grilling, and snack stalls selling famous treats like "Dinosaur Burgers" and "Dinosaur Yaki." Visitors can enjoy a leisurely day exploring the park. Various experiential activities are also held seasonally.

There is a free indoor lounge area. The digging experience is available for children aged 4 and up, and it takes about 1 hour. Reservations are required in advance. A popular family attraction in the Hokuriku region.