The velociraptor turned its head, opened its mouth, and rocked back slightly, looking ready to pounce. I could feel Jamal’s hand gripping mine more tightly as the beast snorted. “Mom, this is the best thing ever!” my son breathed. We were standing in the hall of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, and his rapture made the rather inconvenient trip there worth it.
Echizen Bamboo Doll Village Entrance
We had started the day with a final soak in the hot spring baths at our hotel, the Matsuya Sensen. There was a direct bus to the Echizen Bamboo Doll Village, which was my treat for this leg of the trip. Actually, we all enjoyed it better than I thought, because the bamboo outside gave LaDante some good photo opportunities, and I loved the extensive display of intricate dolls and theater props.
Echizen Bamboo Doll Village – Doll 1
I think the part we all liked best was watching the artisan painstakingly assembling a doll from bits and pieces of bamboo that looked like scraps to throw away, but gradually it took shape before our eyes. LaDante was thrilled the old man allowed him to take a few photos while concentrating on the work.
Echizen Bamboo Doll Village – Kendo
Jamal, as predictable for a 6-year-old, dove right into the workshop space and happily busied himself with bits and pieces, emerging with glue on his hands and clothes, but carrying his own design, which he fortunately explained was a plesiosaur, so we didn’t have to guess.
Echizen Bamboo Doll Village – Doll 2
The restaurant on the second floor has some enticing soba noodles and seafood set menus, so we sat down and ate an early lunch there before heading to our main destination of the day, the dinosaur museum.
Echizen Bamboo Doll Village – Restaurant
I must admit during the bus and train ride that I was really wondering why a world-class dinosaur museum was located in such a remote location, but apparently it was built to house the various specimens found there. I had not even realized that there were dinosaurs in Japan, let alone new species found and named in Fukui Prefecture. On this subject, Jamal was far ahead of me.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
But the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum 福井県立恐竜博物館 was truly amazing. Admission prices were very reasonable, especially with all to see and do there! Three stories of rooms with displays and interactive areas and full skeletons were ranged around a central, circular arcade. Apparently this was also a working research facility, and not just a place housing replicas for tourists.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Fossil Display
Everything was computerized and state-of-the-art. LaDante and I were blown away, and Jamal walked around as if in a daze. He had entered a 6-year-old state of heaven.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Animated Dinosaur
And not only were there dinosaurs, but there were displays of minerals and fossils and other things that I am usually not that interested in, but somehow I seemed drawn to learn more. Everything was so appealing and enticing in the way it was presented. I was fascinated by the working laboratories. But for all of us, the best part was the animatronic, life-size dinosaurs.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Main Hall
They seemed like living, breathing creatures, they were so detailed. I kept expecting them to break out of their roped-in spaces and pounce on a poor visitor, tearing the person apart for lunch. Outdoors there even was a dinosaur themed playground for kids!
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Amusing Statue
I am so glad that we made the effort to go to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Not only because we like to have something fun for Jamal on our trips, but because it was an amazing museum that I would never have considered going to if it were not for him. I would like to go back again and spend more time in the areas we only walked through, since there was so much to see we could not take it all in at once.
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum Playground
At last, we took a taxi back to the station. We were not returning to Fukui this trip, instead we were heading out of the prefecture into Ishikawa to the north. We were going to spend the night in Kanazawa, which was another place that came highly recommended. I hope it lives up to the things we saw today.
