Fukui doesn’t simply have dinosaurs… however hey, come have a look at this cool dinosaur!
Ask nearly anybody in Japan what they learn about Fukui Prefecture, and the primary phrase out of their mouth will almost definitely be “dinosaurs.” Fossils of a number of beforehand undiscovered dinosaur species have been present in Fukui, and whereas the prefecture has different delights as effectively, the dinosaur presence stays robust, as seen on our Japanese-language reporter Takusu Egawa’s latest journey there.
Fukui’s in style picture could also be linked to its previous, however there’s by no means been a better time to go to the prefecture. Beforehand, Japan’s Hokuriku area, which incorporates Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama, was inconvenient to entry as a result of a scarcity of fast journey choices. This drawback was addressed again within the spring of this yr, although, with the newest Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Tsuruga Station in Fukui, which takes simply over three hours from Tokyo. Actually, to encourage extra guests to discover its magnificence and traditions, the area is presently working a promotion, the Hokuriku Vacation spot Marketing campaign, with varied offers and reductions, and we have been invited to go to Fukui by the tourism board.
When Takasu arrived at Ueno Station in Tokyo to catch the bullet prepare, he appeared over the Hokuriku Shinkansen departure board and felt a way of unfamiliarity. The names Nozomi and Hikari, designating trains on from the acquainted Tokaido Shinkansen that connects Tokyo and Osaka, have been nowhere in sight, and as an alternative the prepare he’d be using had a contemporary, new identify: Kagayaki, The Kagayaki is a restricted categorical, akin to the Nozomi, however the Kagayaki solely presents reserved seating.
Hopping on board the Kagayaki, his consideration was drawn to the headrests within the regular-class automotive he was in. They moved up and down, which isn’t one thing he typically sees in commonplace seating, so he’s now very eager to expertise the fancier seats within the higher-class Inexperienced Automobile and GranClass carriages in the future. Sitting again and enjoyable whereas studying the onboard magazines, he occurred to look out of the window and spot Mt. Asama, an lively volcano in Gunma Prefecture alongside the best way.
The journey of just below three hours flew by, and, earlier than lengthy, he had arrived at Fukui Station in Fukui Metropolis. Without having to switch trains in any respect, it’s a straightforward and handy journey, particularly for those who occurred to have a considerable amount of baggage with you.
For the primary time in his life, he stepped foot into Fukui. He admired the spaciousness and cleanliness of the trendy station as he walked in the direction of the ticket gate…
And it wasn’t lengthy till he encountered dinosaurs! Fukui has basically made dinosaurs their complete id. A Fukui with out dinosaurs merely isn’t Fukui! Trying across the station, he noticed many dinosaur statues on show. These statues typically go viral on social media within the winter as a result of Fukui’s heavy snowfall, making the scene appear to be it’s the arrival of a brand new Ice Age.
A T. rex and triceratops stand in entrance of the station, alongside Fukuititan—a sauropod found in close by Katsuyama in 2007, and the primary to be given a scientific identify in Japan.
Although Fukuititan is a superb supply of delight for residents of Fukui, the newest addition to the numerous dinosaur monuments within the space is Suchomimus. Fukui has Fossilized enamel from the Spinosauridae, of which Suchomimus is part, have been present in Fukui Prefecture, which is why the species was chosen for this honor.
Takasu had thought these monuments have been easy statues, so he was shocked to study that a few of them are shifting robots. Suchomimus simply began working on September 30. With 23 monuments now in place, he couldn’t assist however really feel that Fukui may in the future have extra dinosaurs than individuals. Suchomimus is the final deliberate addition to this point, however given Fukui’s dinosaur fever, there’s no telling when a brand new one might be part of the ensemble.
There are dinosaurs even within the rooftop plaza of the station. Two Fukuititans make for a good looking commemorative picture spot, with an added bonus of the bullet prepare platform within the background.
Close by, there’s even Fukuivenator, first found in 2007 and named in 2016, which… wait… is that…?
A shock promotion for Echizen crab?! Echizen crab, a sort of snow crab, is thought by many to be the king of seafood and is a well-known delicacy of the area that may be loved all through the winter season.
▼ The tag says “Dinosaur Kingdom Fukui”—even the commercial for seafood is selling dinosaurs
As fascinating because the dinosaurs have been, Takasu knew that there was extra to his go to, so he refocused and made his option to Fukubukukan, a neighborhood specialty retailer on the second ground of the Happiring shopping center subsequent to the station.
Whilst you can nonetheless discover the usual assortment of merchandise you’d anticipate finding in a retailer like this, equivalent to dried or canned meals and native alcohols, what was actually putting was the buffet inside the shop. It’s an uncommon addition to this kind of retailer however a really welcome one. It will be excellent for somebody simply arriving round lunchtime in the event that they wished to pattern native culinary delights.
There have been fairly just a few native residents within the retailer and the meals was being replenished at an honest price, making for a pleasing expertise, and all of the meals Tasuku tried was implausible. It’s even doable to have takeout!
With a full abdomen, he continued his exploration of the realm in and across the station. Each Happiring and the station itself have been designed to include quite a lot of glass, permitting for lots of pure mild.
▼Happi terrace
The inclusion of loads of indoor seating across the station was a lot appreciated.
▼ Sanji no Oyatsu, a scrumptious dessert retailer outdoors the station
Even the outside seating has a singular allure, with little dinosaur fashions, all with a reputation plaque for identification, to accompany you when you take just a little break.
▼ Anybody else getting The Land Earlier than Time vibes?
Subsequent to JR Fukui Station is the station for the native Echizen Railway, and the fascinating design from the surface makes for an ideal picture.
Additionally scattered about have been a number of references to the upcoming 2025 anime adaptation of Chitose Is within the Ramune Bottle, which options varied areas round Fukui. So Takasu assumes many followers of the story shall be trying to make a pilgrimage to the realm sooner or later.
Fukui additionally has a dinosaur museum, situated about an hour away from Fukuyama Station within the city of Katsuyama. Even for those who’ve solely acquired time for a fast go to, although, you may nonetheless soak within the dino ambiance of the Fukui Station space, and for those who do have extra time, Fukui actually does produce other points of interest too. There’s a crab museum, for one factor. Maybe you might be extra excited about crabs as meals, and fancy a visit to a fish market or a neighborhood conveyor belt sushi restaurant chain. Or would you reasonably a restaurant that makes superb pork cutlets. Or you could possibly dip your toes into the occult with the priest homicide cliffs, the haunted island or the haunted tunnel. No matter your pursuits, Fukui probably has one thing for you—so swing on by in your subsequent trip.
Retailer information
Fukubukukan / 福福館
Tackle: Fukui-ken, Fukui-shi, Chuo 1-2-1 Happiring 2nd ground
福井県福井市中央1丁目2番1号ハピリン2階
Open: 9 a.m-9 p.m. (meals served 11 a.m.-9 p.m., final order at 8 p.m.)
Web site
Associated: Hokuriku Vacation spot Marketing campaign, Fukui Tourism Web site
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