Fuji Television, located in Daiba, Minato-ku, is hosting the "Odaiba Dinosaur Expo - THEY are coming from Fukui by Shinkansen!" until May 6, 2024! Fukui is one of the spots that have been attracting attention, as access from the Tokyo metropolitan area has improved with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Kanazawa and Tsuruga. Fukui is also one of Japan's most famous "dinosaur kingdoms," where numerous fossils have been discovered. This time, we visited the "Odaiba Dinosaur Expo 2024," which is fully supported by the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, said to be one of the world's three major dinosaur museums!

Fuji TV in Odaiba, which is crowded with tourists daily, is at a 3-minute walk from Daiba Station on the Yurikamome Line and a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station on the Rinkai Line. The entire Fuji Television Network, including the headquarters building, is the site of the expo.

The venue consists of three halls, starting with the first hall set up in front of the headquarters. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a full-body skeleton of an elasmosaurus. Being a plesiosaur, elasmosaurus is not technically a dinosaur, but it allows you to imagine the prehistoric sea.

The next booth features a 12-meter long tyrannosaurus robot. You can't hold in your excitement in front of the biggest star of the dinosaur world! The tyrannosaurus can be mechanically made to howl and roar, making it a powerful sight to behold. There were many parents with children in the hall, and the children especially were psyched up.

Tyrannosaurus is a carnivorous dinosaur belonging to the theropod suborder. It is also cool to see the skeleton of Acrocanthosaurus atokensis, who belongs to the same suborder!

The second hall, located inside the headquarters, focuses on the forefront of dinosaur research. There the research results and methods of six researchers, including Professor Masateru Shibata (Senior Researcher at Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum and Professor at Institute of Dinosaurology, Fukui Prefectural University), who supervised and coordinated the expo, are introduced.

The photo below shows Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis, and on the right is the full-body skeleton of Fukuisaurus tetriensis. As the name "Fukui" implies, both are new species of dinosaurs discovered in Fukui Prefecture.

A robot and full-body skeleton of Fukuivenator paradoxus, discovered during excavations in 2007, are also on display. It has a somewhat charming face.

The replica of the fossil of Tyrannomimus fukuiensis, discovered in Fukui Prefecture and reported as a new species in 2023, is also on display for the first time in Tokyo.

The third hall is the spherical observation deck at Fuji TV headquarters. Here a 15-meter long spinosaurus robot, one of the expo's main attractions, makes a dazzling appearance! The world premiere of a life-size spinosaurus will take your breath away.

There are many mysteries and things we don't know about the habitat of spinosaurus, but the robot recreates a swimming scene based on the theory that it was a semi-aquatic dinosaur. It's so lively!

At the expo, the actual fossil of spinosaurus (from a private collection) is also on special display. It is very rare, so make sure to take a good look.

There are also the skulls of a tyrannosaurus and a triceratops. You can't help but be smitten by their form.

Outside the venue, there is a diorama of a model train which commemorates the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension! With the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it now takes you less than three hours to go between Fukui and Tokyo.

The diorama also allows you to check out Fukui's famous spots. Maybe it will be of use when you go on a trip to Fukui?

There was also a Tokyo Tower in the Tokyo area of the diorama. You can compare it with the real thing.

The experience corner, where you can ride the W7 series mini Shinkansen Kagayaki, is very popular with children. Tickets are ¥400.

There was also a full lineup of original expo merchandise. The Tyrannosaurus 2-way Backpack (red/yellow, ¥4180 each) can also be used as a shoulder bag. It is recommended to tour the expo with the backpack on your back.

A total of six types of Capsule Pin Badges (¥500 each) are rare items that can be obtained only at this expo. The details are very elaborate, and their quality is so high that you can't help but want to collect them. It makes you want to get them all!

At the plaza on the first floor, you can also enjoy Fukui's local delicacies. Echizen Oroshi Soba (¥900), topped with plenty of grated daikon, is refreshing and goes down easily. The Sauce Katsudon (¥1000), a bowl of rice topped with a thin tonkatsu cutlet soaked in sauce, is juicy and very tasty!

During the expo, various workshops and dinosaur fossil digging experiences, where visitors can dig up real dinosaur fossils, will be held. Each event will be held on a different date, and some require reservations, so be sure to check the official website.

The "Odaiba Dinosaur Expo 2024" was an expo where visitors could experience firsthand the allure of dinosaurs through powerful full-body skeletons and life-size dinosaur robots. Children and adults alike can enjoy taking cool pictures or learning about the latest research findings. Why not immerse yourself in the world of dinosaurs this spring?

"Odaiba Dinosaur Expo - THEY are coming from Fukui by Shinkansen!"
Venue: Fuji TV headquarters (2-4-8 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Dates: March 20, 2024 (Wed, holiday) - May 6, 2024 (Mon, holiday)
*Open throughout the exhibition period
https://www.odaiba-dino2024.jp/
*For ticket information, please visit the official website above.