Fukui, the Dinosaur Kingdom, is currently experiencing a surge of excitement with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Kanazawa and Tsuruga on March 16, 2024, and the renewal of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. In this report, we'll share the experiences of the Favorite staff who visited Fukui Prefecture a little earlier, along with information about stores that carry Favorite products.
In this first installment, we'll report on the situation from Fukui Station, which is currently undergoing renovation, to Katsuyama City, where the Dinosaur Museum is located.

Since the Shinkansen wasn't running yet, we took the Limited Express Thunderbird to Fukui Station.
On the way from the platform to the ticket gate, we were greeted by Dr. Dinosaur.

After exiting the ticket gate, we headed to the west exit.
There, we found three life-sized dinosaurs: Fukuiraptor, Fukuissauus, and Fukuititan!
The realistically moving dinosaurs in the Dinosaur Plaza give a sense of the ancient breath of the Dinosaur Kingdom Fukui.

On the station wall, there's an impressive dinosaur trick art that's a popular photo spot.

Then, we headed to the east exit, which was in the middle of renovation.
The station concourse was under construction due to the upcoming opening, but in the indoor plaza, there was a huge full-body skeletal specimen of a Fukuiraptor!
It's quite surprising to encounter a skeletal specimen right inside a station!

Going up the stairs to the rooftop plaza, there's a terrace familiar from JR West commercials. It's a terrace where families can enjoy themselves, with an "insta-worthy" spot where two Fukuititans form a heart, and cute dinosaurs sleeping on benches.

Next, we headed to Katsuyama City, where the Dinosaur Museum is located.
We transferred from JR Fukui Station to the Echizen Railway and arrived at Katsuyama Station. As befits the station closest to the museum, there were dinosaur monuments and a bus directly to the museum adorned with dinosaur illustrations, all adding to the excitement.

Not only Katsuyama Station, but various places in Katsuyama City have many dinosaur-themed objects. We also recommend a dinosaur hunt to find White Saurus and dinosaur post boxes.

And in the center of Katsuyama City, there is "Hataya Kinenkan Yumeore Katsuyama," which carries Favorite products.

Hataya Kinenkan Yumeore Katsuyama
1-7-40 Showamachi, Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture
TEL: 0779-87-1200
https://www.city.katsuyama.fukui.jp/hataya/

 

Next time, we'll introduce stores near the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.