Fukui Pokémon Fossil Museum

Pokémon meets paleontology.

What to expect

From Hokkaido to Kumamoto, the Pokémon Fossil Museum traveling exhibition has drawn fans of all ages with its playful blend of science and nostalgia. For those of us who grew up imagining fossil Pokémon like Kabuto or Aerodactyl roaming ancient lands, this exhibition makes that dream oddly tangible.

The show reimagines what a natural history exhibit can be, offering visitors a rare chance to stand before life-sized skeleton models of fossil Pokémon — faithfully reconstructed as if they were genuine prehistoric creatures. These conceptual skeletons are then paired with real fossils of dinosaurs and ancient animals, allowing you to trace the design inspiration behind creatures. The comparison is surprisingly educational: You start to see the care with which Pokémon designs draw from paleontology.

Interactive displays deepen the experience, walking you through scientific ideas like extinction and fossil formation, all through the accessible lens of the Pokémon world. As you make your way through the exhibition, you’re accompanied by the Fossil Professor and Excavator Pikachu, guiding you with informative commentary.

Schedule 2025

The exhibition in Fukui continues until May 25. Later this year, it will move to Nagasaki and Tokushima.

Tickets 2025

Admission to the Pokémon Fossil Museum and the permanent exhibition at Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is charged separately, with a combined ticket also available. General admission is ¥1,000 for the Pokémon Fossil Museum, ¥600 for the permanent exhibition, or ¥1,600 for both. Admission is free for preschool children.