Mifune Dinosaur Museum

Overview

The Mifune Dinosaur Museum is a municipal natural history museum located in Mifune-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture. It's renowned as the site of Japan's first discovery of a carnivorous dinosaur fossil. In 1979, a carnivorous dinosaur tooth fossil was discovered in Kamiumegi, Mifune-cho, and in 1990, a cluster of dinosaur fossils were found near Tenkun Dam. These discoveries led to the opening of the Mifune Dinosaur Museum on April 30, 1998. The museum exhibits fossils, skeletons, and models of dinosaurs, including the fossil of "Mifune-ryu," Japan's first carnivorous dinosaur. It also features dinosaur-related videos and displays, making it engaging for adults as well. The adjacent "Mifune Fossil Hiroba" offers a hands-on fossil digging experience. Children can enjoy the thrill of discovering dinosaur fossils. The Mifune Dinosaur Museum is not only a place to learn and experience the world of dinosaurs but also a place to connect with the rich natural environment and history of Mifune-cho. Be sure to visit when you are in Mifune-cho.