Question 1

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

Take a Kumamoto Bus bound for Mifune from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal (bay 1 or 24) and get off at the Mifune-machi Kyoryu Hakubutsukan-mae stop. From Aso Kumamoto Airport, take the limousine bus to Sakuramachi Bus Terminal and change there. By car it is about 5 minutes from Mifune IC.

Question 2

When is it closed?

Accepted Answer

It is closed every Monday (the following day if that Monday is a public holiday) and over the New Year period. It may open on Mondays during Golden Week, the summer holidays and special exhibitions. Please check the closure information on the home page of the official website.

Question 3

Are there hands-on programmes?

Accepted Answer

There are monthly workshops such as fossil cleaning and making dinosaur badges. Events include the Wakuwaku Workshop for younger children on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, the Paleo Programme for elementary school age and above on the 3rd and 4th Sundays, and the Geo Hike with a curator, which adults also enjoy.

Question 4

How long should I allow?

Accepted Answer

Allow about 60-90 minutes for the exhibition rooms. Add more time if you want to watch the Open Lab or join a workshop. Combined with fossil collecting at the neighbouring Mifune Town Tourist Exchange Centre, you can make half a day of it.

Question 5

What are the admission fee and opening hours of the Mifune Dinosaur Museum?

Accepted Answer

Opening hours are 9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30). Admission is 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for high school and university students, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for pre-school children. Group discounts are available, and holders of a disability certificate are admitted free to the permanent exhibition.

Question 6

Is there a museum shop?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a museum shop with many dinosaur goods and original products available only here, popular as souvenirs.

Question 7

Why were dinosaur fossils found in Mifune?

Accepted Answer

The area around Mifune is covered by the Mifune Group strata, dating from about 90 million years ago (the Late Cretaceous), and it is where Japan's first carnivorous dinosaur fossil was discovered. Since then it has yielded the most diverse dinosaur fossils in the country and is internationally known as a dinosaur fossil site.

Question 8

What is the Great Dinosaur Evolution Parade?

Accepted Answer

It is the centrepiece of the permanent exhibition area, where 19 complete dinosaur skeletons gathered from around the world, including Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops, are arranged in chronological order. They look ready to move at any moment, and it is the largest skeleton display in Kyushu.

Question 9

What can I see in the Open Lab?

Accepted Answer

It is a back-of-house facility directly connected to the exhibition room, where you can watch research staff cleaning fossils and carrying out research through glass. It is a rare chance to see a working research facility not normally open to the public.

Question 10

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a car park adjoining the museum, with spaces for coaches and cars.

Question 11

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Parking is available. Please check the official information for details.

Question 12

How much is admission?

Accepted Answer

Adults 500 yen, high school and university students 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 200 yen, pre-school children free. Group discounts are available.

Question 13

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

Take a Kumamoto Bus bound for Mifune from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal and get off at the Mifune-machi Kyoryu Hakubutsukan-mae stop. By car it is about 5 minutes from Mifune IC.

Question 14

When is it closed?

Accepted Answer

Every Monday (the following day if that Monday is a public holiday) and over the New Year period. It may also open on Mondays during Golden Week, the summer holidays and special exhibitions.

Question 15

What are the opening hours?

Accepted Answer

9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)

Question 16

What is the address?

Accepted Answer

995-6 Mifune, Mifune Town, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto Prefecture

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