How to Get to Fukui?
Starting from March 16, 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension between Kanazawa Station and Tsuruga Station will significantly reduce travel time to Fukui. From Tokyo, you can reach Fukui in about 3 hours, making it a popular new choice for travelers in Japan!
● From Tokyo:
Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from "JR Tokyo Station" directly to "JR Fukui Station."
● From Osaka:
Take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express to Tsuruga Station, then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga to Fukui. The fastest one-way trip takes just 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Upon arriving at Fukui Station, you'll immediately spot the Dinosaur Doctor dressed in a white lab coat and holding a dinosaur fossil. There's something amusing about a scientist studying dinosaurs right at the station.
You might encounter the Dinosaur Doctor at various attractions around Fukui. Keep an eye out during your travels and see how many Dinosaur Doctors you can find!
🦖Fukui Station "Rooftop Plaza"
With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, a new attraction has been added to the second floor of JR Fukui Station: the "Rooftop Plaza." The highlight of this plaza is the ability to use AR technology to interact with and take photos with virtual dinosaurs.
Scan the QR code next to the dinosaur, and a virtual dinosaur will appear.
You can resize and position the virtual dinosaur any way you like, making it perfect for taking fun photos with the dinosaur!
🚃JR Fukui Station
As soon as you step out of the station, you'll see dinosaur footprints everywhere, immersing you in the vibrant atmosphere of the Dinosaur Kingdom.
This dinosaur, diligently promoting the local specialty, holds a Fukui Echizen crab in its mouth, showcasing Fukui's famous delicacy.
Outside JR Fukui Station, several realistic dinosaur models are on display. This giant dinosaur, which moves and roars every 30 minutes from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, is built to scale, standing approximately six meters tall. It's a truly impressive sight, allowing visitors to experience the actual size of these magnificent creatures up close.
The exterior walls feature impressive 3D dinosaur murals. Come and get creative by taking photos with these dynamic dinosaur artworks!
In the plaza outside the station, replicas of dinosaur footprints discovered locally are displayed on the ground. You can compare and observe the differences in size and shape between the dinosaur footprints and your own.
Around JR Fukui Station
📍Address: 1-1-1 Chuo, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
Fukui Station Specialty Dessert
🍮The unique "Excavating Dinosaur Pudding," filled with the charm of Fukui
Image Source：© kyoryu-pudding
At the "Eiheiji Daruma Pudding" branch inside JR Fukui Station, you can buy the unique "Excavating Dinosaur Pudding." Use a spoon to dig through the crispy layer on top of the pudding to uncover a hidden dinosaur-shaped chocolate inside. It's a fun and delicious treat, full of surprises with every bite.
Kyoryu Pudding Official Website
📍 Address: Inside "Culuf Fukui Station," 1-1-25 Chuo, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture (Fukui Station Store)
🏠 Business Hours: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
🚈 Dinosaur Train
From the left exit of "JR Fukui Station," it's about a 2-minute walk to "Echizen Railway Fukui Station," where you can board the pre-booked "Dinosaur Painted Train."
The train carriages feature two themes: "Jurassic Zone" and "Fossil Excavation Zone."
Image Source：© 2024 Echizen Railway.
Image Source：© 2024 Echizen Railway.
Echizen Railway "Dinosaur Train" Official Website
📍 Address: 1-8-1 Hinode, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
🎫 Ticket Price: Please refer to the official website for details.
🦖Dinosaur Museum
Katsuyama in Fukui is home to Japan's largest archaeological site, with around 80% of Japan's dinosaur fossils unearthed here. It is also Japan's center for dinosaur research. The museum features numerous fossils and realistic dinosaur models, allowing both adults and children to experience and feel the dinosaur era. When visiting Fukui, this is a must-see destination.
Dinosaur Museum Official Website
📍 Address: 51-11 Terado, Muraoka-cho, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture (within Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest)
🎫 Ticket Prices:
Adults: 1000 yen
High School and University Students: 800 yen
Elementary and Junior High School Students, and Seniors (70+): 500 yen
🏠 Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
※ Summer Extended Hours: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Last entry at 5:30 PM)
※ Closed on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month (If it falls on a national holiday, the closure is postponed to the next day; no closures during summer vacation)
Closed for New Year's Holidays from December 31 to January 1
※ Temporary closures may occur for exhibit changes and facility inspections. Please refer to the latest information from the Dinosaur Museum.
🛤️Echizen Railway All Line 1-Day Unlimited Ride Pass
When traveling to Fukui, you can purchase the Echizen Railway 1-Day Unlimited Ride Pass. This pass allows unlimited rides on the Mikuni Awara Line and the Katsuyama Eiheiji Line for one day, offering the most cost-effective way to fully explore all the attractions in Fukui.
Image Source: Echizen Railway Official Website
Explore many attractions along the Echizen Railway. Visit the popular Dinosaur Museum (Katsuyama Station), the rare geological site of Tojinbo (Mikuni Port Station), and the historic Eiheiji Temple (Eiheijiguchi Station).
Image Source：Awara Onsen Mimatsu
With a history of 130 years, the hot spring destination of Awara Onsen (Awara-Yunomachi Station) is also well worth a visit.
Image Source：Fukui Prefecture Official Tourism Website
Image Source：Fukui Prefecture Official Tourism Website
Other seasonal attractions include the Asuwa River embankment cherry blossoms (selected as one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots) near Fukui Station, and the large Katsuyama Ski Resort in western Japan (Katsuyama Station). Don't miss these!
Echizen Railway 1-Day Unlimited Ride Pass Official Website
Echizen Railway Nearby Attractions
📍 Address: 15-3-1 Matsumotokamicho, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
🎫 Ticket Price: Adults 1200 yen / Children (Elementary School Students) 600 yen
Fukui Specialty Dinosaur-Themed Merchandise
【Dinosaur Stapler】
A super cool and realistic dinosaur head-shaped stapler that will definitely be the center of attention.
【Gold-Plated Dinosaur Wooden Chopsticks】
Made from natural wood and lacquered by skilled craftsmen, these chopsticks feature gold-plated dinosaur designs at the top. The fine tips make it easy to pick up food, allowing you to reminisce about your trip to Fukui.
【Dinosaur-Shaped Slap Bracelet】
Simply slap the tape measure-style bracelet onto your wrist, and it will automatically wrap. You can carry this cute dinosaur with you wherever you go.
【Made in Japan Imabari Dinosaur Handkerchief】
From the famous SHICHIFUKU Imabari towel brand, this handkerchief is soft, comfortable, highly absorbent, and quick-drying. It features various dinosaur, fossil, and volcano elements, making it practical and adorable.
【Hinoki Cypress Dinosaur Keychain】
Crafted from Japanese hinoki cypress, this dinosaur-shaped keychain is designed based on the outline of Fukui's map.