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Fukui Station Dinosaur Plaza. (© Nippon.com)
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Clockwise from top: Fukuisaurus tetoriensis greets visitors at Katsuyama Station on the Echizen Railway Eiheiji Katsuyama Line; museum mascot Dr. Dinosaur waits to snap selfies with visitors; the road to the station is dotted with statues and fossil replicas. (© Nippon.com)
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The museum, with its distinctive dome, was designed by pioneering architect Kurokawa Kishō. A new wing resembling an egg (right) houses an exhibition hall. (© Nippon.com)
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A three-quarter scale animatronic T-rex dominates the main exhibition hall. (© Nippon.com)
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Skeletons and models give visitors an idea of the scale and features of different dinosaurs. (© Nippon.com)
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A life-size reconstruction makes an impact on visitors. (© Nippon.com)
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Skeletons of plant-eater Fukuisaurus tetoriensis and carnivore Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis. (© Nippon.com)
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The 7-meter long Brachylophosaurus specimen is listed in the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records as the best-preserved dinosaur. (© Nippon.com)
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Displays showing aquatic reptiles like a species of mosasaur (top) and the evolution of birds. (© Nippon.com)
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Clockwise from top left: a mammal-precursor that appeared from the end of the Paleozoic era; a four-legged ancestors of whales; ancient skeletons of a whale, mammoth, and giant fallow deer. (© Nippon.com)
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A display of dinosaurs discovered in Fukui. (© Nippon.com)
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The special exhibition area recreates scenes from ancient earth. (© Nippon.com)
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Clockwise from top: Matsushita shows off a display of dinosaurs; a visitor chips away rock to reveal a dinosaur tooth at the hands-on corner; an exhibit where visitors can search by hand for fossils. (© Nippon.com)
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The museum shop has a wide selection of figurines and other dinosaur-themed merchandise. (© Nippon.com)
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