Go to Experience the Romance of Ancient Mother Earth with Kids in Iwaki, a Treasure Trove of Fossils

In 1968, Iwaki City in the southeast of Fukushima Prefecture got huge attention as the fossil of Plesiosauria was discovered for the first time in Japan. In 2006, 36 years after the discovery, ‘Futabasaurus Suzukii’ was officially registered as a new genus and new species. In the city of Iwaki, a treasure trove of fossils, where you can meet remnants of various ancient creatures such as ammonites and bivalves in addition to dinosaurs, why don’t you spend a day to feel the greatness of ancient Mother Earth? Let’s look at some recommended sites where both grownups and kids can enjoy learning and playing.

Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum “Horuru” allows you to have closer looks at many truly precious fossils

Since Iwaki was thriving in coal mines, many fossils have been discovered in the city. If you care to know more about the history of the coalfields mined until the first half of the1900s, and the fossils excavated in the city, Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum “Horuru” (いわき市石炭・化石館ほるる) is the place to visit. In the lobby of the entrance, a replica of a fossil specimen of ‘Futabasaurus Suzukii’ discovered by a local high school student welcomes your visit. In the exhibition room at the back, you will find fossils of ancient creatures such as Plesiosauria from 85 million years ago and an ancient whale from 4 million years ago. Aside from the fossils, don’t miss the mock-up tunnel where you can put yourself in the atmosphere of digging coal 600m underground. The exhibits will make you feel like you’re traveling back to the early 1900s and even to ancient times. For souvenirs, museum shops offering real fossils such as ammonites and Mosasaurus are available.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 5:00PM / Closed on every third Tuesday and New Year’s Day *In case third Tuesday is a national holiday, closed on the immediately following day
Admission	660 yen
Address	3-1 Joban-yumotomachi Mukaida, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 13-minute drive from Iwaki Washington Hotel
URL	https://www.tohokuandtokyo.org/spot_154/

“Iwaki City Ammonite Center” let you experience excavating fossils from the sea strata 89 million years ago

“Iwaki City Ammonite Center” (いわき市アンモナイトセンター) is a facility built on the ancient sea strata found in which ammonites and other substances from about 89 million years ago have been concentratedly discovered. In addition to the exhibits and explains of ammonites, you can observe the fossils of the ancient creatures that used to live in the sea at Iwaki as if they’ve just been excavated. There is also a fossil excavation site outside where you can experience excavating process on weekends. Since you can rent necessary tools such as hammers and chisels, all you have to do is to prepare and bring comfortable shoes and work gloves. Basically, the fossils you will have found would be used for exhibitions at the center, however, you can take them home as souvenirs if they are of relatively common kinds such as ammonites or bivalves.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 5:00PM / Closed on Monday and New Year’s Day *In case Monday is a national holiday, closed on the immediately following day
Admission	260 yen *730 yen if you wish excavating experience
Address	147-2 Ohisamachi Ohisatsurubo, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 28-minute drive from Iwaki Washington Hotel
URL	http://www.ammonite-center.jp/

“Iwaki-shi Kairyu no Sato Center” where you can enjoy lots of playsets with dinosaur motifs

Located close to Ohisa River in Hisanohamamachi area where precious fossils such as Futabasaurus Suzukii and ambers with insects have been excavated, “Iwaki-shi Kairyu no Sato Center” (いわき市海竜の里センター) is a modest amusement park with huge models of dinosaurs. The Brachiosaurus standing out the most in the park is a slide that many kids get so excited about. You go up from the left leg of the Brachiosaurus through a tunnel and slide down on its long tail. Besides, there are adventure playsets such as a swinging bridge and a ropeway, and attractions such as a Ferris wheel you can enjoy at reasonably priced. Inside the main building in the center, there is an indoor playground with the image of the unique world in the theme of sea dragons, which you can enjoy regardless of the weather. At the snack corner, don’t miss its signature spicy miso ramen ‘Kairyu Ramen’.

Opening Hours	9:00AM – 5:00PM / Closed on Monday and New Year’s Day *In case Monday is a national holiday, closed on the immediately following day
Charge	210 yen per attraction
Address	9 Ohisamachi Ohisashibazaki, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
Access	A 27-minute drive from Iwaki Washington Hotel
URL	http://honyaku.j-server.com/LUCIWAKIC/ns/tl.cgi/http://www.city.iwaki.lg.jp/www/contents/1551251098176/index.html?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XCHARSET=utf-8&XJSID=0