Photo/Illutration An artist’s rendition of the massive display screen at the refurbished Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama (Provided by the Fukui prefectural government)

KATSUYAMA, Fukui Prefecture--The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum here will reopen July 14 following a major refurbishment that will have dino fans gaping in amazement.

For starters, the revamped premises boast a three-story dome called the “Small Egg.”

Inside is a special exhibition room that features a three-sided screen 9 meters high and 48 meters across to show footage of life-size dinosaurs.

A tower inside the dome will display life-size models of dinosaurs and birds whose fossil remains were found in the prefecture.

The number of complete skeletons for permanent display has grown from 44 to 50.

A highlight is a rare skeleton of a Brachylophosaurus with well-preserved bits of skin.

The museum first opened in 2000. It attracted 938,000 visitors, the most so far, in fiscal 2018.

With the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line’s extended section in the prefecture slated to open in spring of next year, the prefectural government is promoting the museum as one of the area’s key attractions.

“We will continue to make efforts in the hope we will achieve our goal of attracting 1.4 million visitors a year in the near future,” Fukui Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto said during a regular news conference on April 28.

Reservations are accepted through the museum’s official website at (https://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/en/).

Admission is 1,000 yen ($7.20) for adults, 800 yen for senior high school and college students and 500 yen for elementary school pupils and junior high school students, as well as those aged 70 years or older. A group discount is available.

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