[9 Leisure Spots in Fukui] Outdoor Adventures in the Dinosaur Kingdom of Forests, Mountains, and Lakes

This museum is an essential stop when talking about Fukui, the dinosaur kingdom. Its vast exhibition space is lined with impressive skeletal specimens, letting you experience the ancient world in a vivid, three-dimensional way.
Another highlight is how it introduces the results of dinosaur research from multiple angles, including reconstructed dinosaur figures and immersive spatial displays. Inside the museum, you can also see more than 1,000 beautiful specimens, large restored dioramas, and videos. The more you explore, the more your imagination expands into the age of dinosaurs. A trip to Fukui should start here.

This vast park area spreads out around the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. Dinosaur-related facilities are scattered throughout the natural setting, creating a field where walking and hands-on experiences come together.
The appeal lies in the well-maintained dinosaur-themed facilities and open spaces, where you can spend time in a relaxed, expansive environment. At the “Fossil Excavation Land,” you can split stones and try excavating fossils from the Early Cretaceous period, around 120 million years ago. After learning about the world of dinosaurs, you can move on to an actual excavation experience. That kind of flow is one of the unique pleasures of this place.

Step out of Fukui Station and you’ll find yourself in a world of dinosaurs. The plaza in front of the station is filled with dinosaur monuments and themed displays, creating a space that instantly gives you a sense of Fukui.
It’s also a popular photo spot, and many visitors stop by to mark their trip. On the wall of the station building is a giant mural, about 45 meters wide and about 10 meters high, depicting 10 kinds of dinosaurs that lived in Fukui during the Early Cretaceous period. The dinosaurs you meet at the station set the tone for the Fukui journey ahead.

This outdoor facility makes the most of the natural surroundings deep in the mountains. Activities are designed around the forest terrain, so you can move your body freely in nature.
Time spent here, surrounded by mountain views, offers a refreshing sense of openness different from the city. In the picnic zone, you can also relax on hammocks and sofas set up in the trees. After the activities, take a moment to enjoy the quiet of the forest. It’s a place where you can slowly savor the feeling of being embraced by nature.

This suspension bridge spanning a mountain valley is one of the spots where you can experience Fukui’s natural beauty. Woven from vine plants, the bridge has a distinctive atmosphere, and the swaying sensation as you walk across leaves a strong impression.
From the bridge, you can feel the river flow and the surrounding mountains up close. The gently curved bridge has wide gaps between the planks, so wide that you can see the river below through them. The thrill beneath your feet and the beauty of the surrounding nature make the crossing especially memorable.

This lake in a deeply mountainous area is a place to enjoy seasonal natural scenery throughout the year. There is also an auto campground nearby, making it a convenient outdoor base for spending time in nature. In summer, it becomes a waterside spot where you can try activities such as kayaking and SUP.
Along about 15 kilometers of roadside, around 2,000 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, wild cherry, and double-flowered cherry, burst into bloom. Enjoy the lake’s changing scenery from season to season along with your time outdoors.

This relaxing public park spreads through the center of Sabae City. With walking paths and open spaces, it is loved as a place where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers and greenery.
Within the park is Nishiyama Zoo, known for its red pandas, which is another of its attractions. In late autumn, the park becomes one of the prefecture’s best spots for fall foliage. At that time, the grounds are colored with autumn leaves, and you can take your time enjoying the seasonal scenery as you stroll.

This amusement area is located within Asuwayama Park, a green space with panoramic views over central Fukui City. It is a popular leisure spot where you can play in a setting surrounded by nature.
Inside the park is also the indoor exhibition facility “Happy Jungle,” where you can interact with animals such as capybaras and tortoises in a jungle-like space. The play equipment area features around 10 kinds of athletic playground equipment, including slides and swings that make use of the mountain slope, as well as net climbing structures. Here on Asuwayama, you can enjoy a unique mix of active play and animal encounters amid natural scenery.

One of Fukui’s most iconic seaside scenic spots, this area stretches along Tsuruga Bay with a pine grove and a white-sand beach. Walking paths run through the pine forest, where you can enjoy a refreshing stroll while taking in the scent of the sea.
In summer, many people visit to enjoy the beach and escape the heat. In winter, the area is covered in pure white snow, and together with the rough waves of the Sea of Japan, it creates a grand sense of nature. At sunset, the sun sinks below the horizon and paints the pine grove in crimson, creating a striking view unique to the seaside.