Local Trip Info offered by
Washington Hotel and Hotel Gracery

A Trip to Experience Fukui’s Entertainment Such as Dinosaurs, Art and Traditional Technique

When visiting Japan, don’t you think that sightseeing spots and dishes with a local character are essential, do you? This time, we focused on ‘Entertainment’ of Fukui prefecture located in Northern Japan along the Sea of Japan and picked up 3 recommended spots.

Feel the feature of the kingdom of Dinosaurs! “Dinosaur Square at Fukui Station”

福井駅 恐竜広場(Dinosaur Square at Fukui Station)
Photo by @126611_

Fukui Prefecture is also known as the ‘Kingdom of Dinosaurs’ because this prefecture has the most sizable dinosaur fossil excavation site in Japan. Symbolically, Dinosaur Square was created at the west exit of Fukui Station in 2016. ‘Fukuiraptor,’ ‘Fukuisaurus,’ and Fukuititan,’ which used to live in Fukui, are displayed as life-size, moving monuments. These three dinosaurs are recreated in a special presentation of how they lived. Fukuititan, the biggest one, is up to about 6 meters high and is just spectacular when viewed up close. Additionally, giant dinosaur illustrations of trick art make dinosaurs pop out on the walls. That’s why they make such an enjoyable photogenic spot.

Hours9:00AM – 9:00PM (Monument Operating Hours)
Address1 Chuo, Fukui-city, Fukui
AccessA 5-minute drive from Hotel Fujita Fukui
HPhttps://www.fuku-e.com/spot/detail_1669.html

Enjoy art experiences! “Fukui City Art Museum, Art Lab Fukui” exists in harmony with nature

福井市美術館(Fukui City Art Museum)
Photo by @tomosasara

The glass walls of this museum bring much natural light in, so visitors can enjoy the artworks in natural light. This museum itself is spacious, but since it is located next to ‘Geba Central Park,’ you can enjoy just a stroll in the park and the area around there.  On regular displays are about 80 portrait sculptures and 10 drawings created by Hiroatsu Takada, a leading Japanese sculptor who lived in Fukui from ages 2 to 18. In addition, if you go up inside spiral stairs and look down from there, you will see fine artwork, making it a good photo spot. You can also try artistic experiences at various workshops based on their schedule. Try them out with your friends and family.

Hours9:00AM – 5:15PM (last admission at 4:45PM) Closed on Mondays 
Admission fee for the regular exhibitionAdults, college and high school students 100 yen / Groups (20 or more people) 50 yen
*Free admission for junior high school students and younger, seniors 70 and older, and disabled persons.
Address3-1111 Geba, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
AccessA 10-minute drive from Hotel Fujita Fukui
HPhttp://www.art.museum.city.fukui.fukui.jp/index.html

“Megane Museum” with more than 3,000 pairs of glasses produced only in Fukui Prefecture

めがねミュージアム(Megane Museum)
Photo by @mamirinkorin

Sabae City in Fukui Prefecture holds more than 90% domestic market share of eyeglass frames. Then this museum was opened in 2010 as a symbol of this city. Visitors can learn about the history of making eyeglass from the Edo period (1603-1867) to the Showa period (1926-1989) by touring the exhibition area of production sites for more than 100 years ago. Additionally, visitors can enjoy an exhibition called ‘Celebrity Glasses Collection,’ which displays glasses used by Japanese celebrities such as Hibari Misora and Yujiro Ishihara. Furthermore, there is an eyeglass store in the museum so that you can buy the newest models made in Japan. From over 3,000 eyeglasses supplied by 50 companies in Fukui Prefecture, you can choose the best one for yourself. Inside this facility, there are plenty of photo-op spots and full of highlights.

Hours10:00AM – 9:00PM (free admission)  Closed on Wednesdays and New Year holidays
Address2-3-4 Shin-Yokoe, Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture
AccessA 25-minute drive from Hotel Fujita Fukui
HPhttps://www.megane.gr.jp/museum/

Base of this trip