What other travelers are saying about Fukui Prefectural Nature Protection Center
Assalamualaikum brother, we came to this place with my family. This museum has a lot of preserved animal especially kind of birds. Parking cars and entrance is free. The only difficult thing is the way to come to this place is very far and uphill.
The starry sky that can be seen from Rokuroshi High School is very beautiful and calming.
I've also seen it from the nearby observation tower, but as it is dark at night and there is a possibility of animals being present, it is best to drive carefully and with caution if you come to watch the stars.
It has been certified as the place with the most beautiful starry sky in Japan and as a starry sky protection area, so it is a great place.
This local nature conservation center offers a variety of nature-related activities, including nature observation, various exhibits, opportunities to interact with insects, and stargazing events, including a planetarium.
One of the most popular activities at the center is the bird watching room, also known as the "wild bird restaurant," which I've heard about from friends and family, and it seems like many people go to see it.
There are also walking paths around the center, so you can walk around.
There are also information boards, so you can go there feeling like you're on a short hike.
Toilets and drinks are available inside the center.
Despite all these activities, the center is rarely crowded with people, even on holidays, perhaps because it is overwhelmed by other events and tourist facilities. In that sense, I think it's a hidden gem.
There is parking on the center's grounds and on the opposite side of the entrance. There is also a parking lot back from the center.
Visited August 13, 2022
This nature conservation center puts a lot of effort into its exhibits.
At the time, there was a rhinoceros beetle hut right next to the entrance, and visitors were free to enter and exit! (Many of the beetles were missing, probably from children playing with them...)
Upon entering the building, there were clearly organized animal sheets, and visitors were welcome to take one home.
At the time, the center featured invasive species, and not only mammals but also plants were on display!
The facility also operates a planetarium, so the stars are apparently beautiful. There's a booth displaying personal photos of stars and photos taken here!
In addition, the permanent booth displays taxidermy specimens adapted to their environment, allowing visitors to see what creatures live in each location. 🧐
You can see live diving beetles and toads being kept in captivity. 😊
Outside is a walking trail, and further in, you'll find a marshland. The reeds made it hard to spot aquatic life, but we did manage to spot some insects like dragonflies and grasshoppers. 👊( ¨̮💪)
It was a free and very fulfilling experience. 😙
"Winter Wild Bird Restaurant" held during the harsh winter
The extremely warm winter of 2024 meant that all the snow had disappeared by late February, but the birds still bustled in.
The observation window is located on the east side of the Nature Conservation Center.
If you're photographing great spotted woodpeckers and green woodpeckers perched on the trees on a clear day, the afternoon, when the light is directly in front of you, is recommended.
In the morning, the light is backlit, so even careful exposure compensation won't produce very good results against the silvery white background.
On the other hand, mornings are a good time to take close-up shots of the small birds visiting the feeder by the window with a smartphone or wide-angle lens.
As the sun sets in the west, the feeder is shaded by the building and becomes dark, making it difficult to capture the small birds grabbing sunflower seeds without blur.
A film is installed over the observation window to shield the observer from the birds.
If you angle the photo relative to the glass to avoid lighting reflections, the hue and texture may be affected depending on the equipment and the time of day the photo was taken.
As is also posted in the conservation center's second floor exhibition room, feeding wild animals is strictly prohibited. However, I believe this restaurant has a role similar to that of a zoo or aquarium.
I can imagine the chef serving (feeding) food into holes in trees, buried up to his knees in snow in the forest before opening time, and I hope that he will continue his activities in the future.
And by the way, the customers at this restaurant really do eat a lot.
With this warm winter meaning fewer calories being consumed, if they continue to eat as usual, I wonder if they'll turn into a Ryukyu Rail?
The center displays taxidermy specimens of local wildlife including Japanese serow, Asiatic black bears, foxes, and regional bird species. Exhibits include ecological dioramas showing different habitat zones, displays on seasonal ecosystem changes, and information about the area's geological history. A reference library with materials on regional flora and fauna is available for visitors.
Yes, the center offers free admission and educational exhibits accessible to various age groups. Children can view wildlife displays and explore maintained nature trails during warmer months. Parents should supervise younger children on outdoor walks.
Most exhibits and materials are in Japanese with limited or no English signage. International visitors can still view the taxidermy specimens and visual displays, but understanding detailed information requires Japanese language ability or a translation tool.
Nature trails are primarily accessible during warmer months. Winter snow and ice make trails difficult or dangerous to navigate. Contact the center staff to confirm current trail conditions before visiting, especially from late autumn through early spring. Indoor exhibits remain open year-round.
No practical public transportation serves the center. It's located in rural Ikeda Town, 30 kilometers from Fukui City. A private vehicle is necessary for access, or visitors can arrange a taxi from Fukui City for approximately 50 minutes each way.
