The museum is situated in the exact valley where theropod footprints were first identified in Japan in 1985.
The facility is built directly into the mountain terrain, creating a multi-level architectural layout that mirrors the strata of the earth.
The onsite 'Experience Studio' allows visitors to make plaster casts of dinosaur footprints.
The museum holds a significant collection of fossils excavated from the Sebayashi Formation.
Some of the displayed trackways are original, while others are high-fidelity replicas of the footprints discovered along the riverbed.
Kanna Dinosaur Center is a specialized paleontological museum built near the site where the first dinosaur footprints in Japan were discovered. The museum features an extensive collection of fossils, including reconstructed skeletons and trackway casts found in the Kanna River valley. A primary attraction is the outdoor boardwalk area where visitors can observe authentic fossilized dinosaur footprints embedded in rock strata. The exhibits focus heavily on the Cretaceous period and the specific geological history of the Gunma Prefecture region. The facility serves as both an educational research hub and a public exhibition space for prehistoric life. Its location in a rugged river valley provides a naturalistic setting that complements the paleo-themed displays.
The elevated outdoor walkway that provides a direct view over the riverbed fossil sites.
Wear sturdy walking shoes if you plan to explore the outdoor fossil trackway trail.
Bring binoculars for better viewing of the fossilized prints in the riverbed from the observation points.
Check the local weather forecast before visiting, as heavy rain can make outdoor path exploration difficult.
Do not attempt to touch or apply pressure to the original fossilized prints found in the riverbed; stay strictly on designated observation paths.
Closed on Tuesdays, or the following day if a public holiday falls on a Tuesday. Closed during the New Year period.
