Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum x Fukui Prefectural University Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences Collaboration: 'Dinosaur Junior Academy' Opens!

This program is an educational initiative that uses dinosaurs as a gateway to develop 'curiosity' into 'learning and inquiry.' A key feature is the comprehensive experience that includes not only excavation but also research and presentation of findings, allowing students to learn while being exposed to the forefront of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and the Fukui Prefectural University's Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences.

Katsuyama City's 'Learn with Dinosaurs' Educational Environment

Katsuyama City, where about 80% of dinosaur fossils discovered in Japan are excavated, is home to the world-renowned 'Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum,' making it a globally acclaimed center for dinosaur research.

In April 2026, the Katsuyama Campus of the Fukui Prefectural University's Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences opened adjacent to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, further enhancing the 'Learn with Dinosaurs' educational environment by concentrating some of Japan's leading dinosaur research and educational resources.

Additionally, the local Fukui Prefectural Katsuyama High School has signed an educational and research exchange agreement with the university's Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences and has established a school-specific subject 'Geo-Inquiry' from this fiscal year, advancing the 'Learn with Dinosaurs' initiative at the high school level as well.

Furthermore, Katsuyama City has been running the 'Katsuyama Dinosaur School' for elementary students since 2017 (known as 'Katsuyama Dinosaur LABO' in 2017 and 'Katsuyama Dinosaur School' since 2023). By now holding the 'Dinosaur Junior Academy in Katsuyama' for junior and senior high school students, the city is promoting an educational environment that connects 'interest → inquiry → career path' centered on dinosaurs.

[Attractive Program - A Program that Continues to Learning and Inquiry, Not Just an Experience]

Under the guidance of researchers, participants can experience excavation, observation, research, and presentation, touching the world of authentic paleontology.

(1) Visit to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
(2) Fossil excavation experience and visit to an active fossil excavation site
(3) Visit to Fukui Prefectural University Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences
(4) Research experience using digital technology
(5) Results presentation session

[Future Developments]

Katsuyama City will further promote inquiry-based learning using dinosaurs and continue to create an educational environment that nurtures children's 'curiosity.' In the future, along with the 'Katsuyama Dinosaur School' for elementary students, we plan to enhance continuous learning opportunities.

Click here for details on 'Katsuyama Dinosaur School'

[Event Outline]

Dates: Monday, August 24 - Friday, August 28, 2026 (5 days, 4 nights)

Target: Students from 1st year of junior high to 3rd year of senior high school nationwide

Capacity: 50 people (first-come, first-served; registration closes when full)

Minimum Participants: 25 people

Accommodation: Katsuyama New Hotel (with bath/toilet) / Wakasa Mikata Kirara Onsen Suigekka (with toilet) *Shared rooms by gender

Meals: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

Tour Conductor: 3 staff members will accompany

Included in Travel Fee: Accommodation, meals, admission fees, lecture fees, experience fees, taxes

Participation Fee (per person) & Application Period:
- Category ① Katsuyama citizens or students attending schools in Katsuyama City: ¥45,000 (Application from May 8, 2026)
- Category ② Fukui Prefecture residents or students attending schools in Fukui Prefecture: ¥60,000 (Application from May 15, 2026)
- Category ③ General (nationwide): ¥90,000 (Application from May 15, 2026)
*Categories ① and ② are partially subsidized by Fukui Prefecture and Katsuyama City. Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

5-Day Program Content:
- Lecture ① Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences Lecture: Learn about the overview of the Dinosaur Kingdom of Fukui and the fun and role of paleontological research.
- Lecture ② Visit to the permanent exhibition of the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum & Fossil excavation experience.
- Lecture ③ Visit to the Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences facilities & Research experience using digital technology.
- Lecture ④ Visit to an actual fossil excavation site (Kitadani-cho, Katsuyama City).
- Lecture ⑤ Visit to the Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum & Visit to the Wakasa Mikata Jomon Museum.
- Results Presentation: Research and presentation on the theme 'Ideas to vitalize the region with dinosaurs.'

Additionally, there will be a special lecture (Tyrannosaurus edition) by the dinosaur specialty store Dinosaur Base, and a special lecture by a researcher from the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.

Click here to apply

Organizers: Dinosaur Valley Fukui Katsuyama Promotion Council, Katsuyama City
Cooperation: Fukui Prefecture, Fukui Prefectural University Faculty of Dinosaur Sciences, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Dinosaur Forest Co., Ltd., Dinosaur Research Institute Co., Ltd., Dinosaur specialty store Dinosaur Base

Travel Planning & Execution: NTA (Nippon Travel Agency) Co., Ltd. Hokuriku Sales Division Fukui Branch (Commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency Registered Travel Agency No. 2, Full Member of Japan Association of Travel Agents)
〒910-0006 1-1-25 Chuo, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture CURU-FU Fukui Station
0776-22-2498 (Weekdays 9:30-17:30 / Closed on Sat, Sun, holidays)
fukui_tis@nta.co.jp (Contact: Kobayashi, Noguchi, Yamada)

Dinosaur Valley Fukui Katsuyama Promotion Council Secretariat (Katsuyama City Future Creation)