Apr 23, 2015 - 1 min read

Katsuyama St. in Dinosaur Kingdom

Retro-looking traditional station guarded by dinosaurs

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

A life-size dinosaur replica in front of the station watching over the traffic and passersby

Retro-looking Katsuyama Station of Echizen Railways. It was originally built in 1914, and was designated as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan in 2004. The current building was renovated in 2013.

The sign of Katsuyama Station

A dinosaur bus bound for Fukui Dinosaur Museum in Katsuyama City

A baby dinosaur set in the traffic circle in front of the station

Inside view of the station building

You can see dinosaurs here, too. Katsuyama City is 'ruled' by dinosaurs in a good sense.

Echi-tetsu Cafe inside the station building. Echi-tetsu is the abbreviation of Echizen Railways.

Glowing coffee siphon in the café

Menu board displayed in front of Echi-tetsu Café

A couple enjoying a romantic day-out inside the café

A train stopping at Katsuyama Station

Electric Locomotive 'Teki 6' displayed in the station. This is the oldest electric locomotive in Japan that can still run (it was built in 1920).

'Teki 6' seen from front

Intrigued, a boy was trying to look inside Teki 6, but sadly the door was closed and locked securely.

The other day when I visited Benten Sakura Festival held on the banks of Kuzuryu River in Katsuyama City, I dropped by at Echizen Railway Katsuyama Station, which is located near the riverbank. The station was retro-looking but new. I later learned it was renovated in October 2013. As expected, dinosaur replicas were standing guard in front of the station. They must have been set in place when the traffic circle was built in 2011. However, this station is actually old (built in 1914), and designated as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. From the station, dinosaur buses bound for Dinosaur Museum depart regularly. The traditional station is decorated with dinosaur goods, and as soon as you set foot on the platform you'll know Katsuyama is surely the Dinosaur Kingdom!

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Takako Sakamoto

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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Relinda Puspita

Relinda Puspita 10 years ago

Mhm... another uniqueness of Japan.

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Takako Sakamoto

Takako Sakamoto Photographer 10 years ago

Thanks Relinda. Haha, yes, this place is extraordinarily unique, with dinosaurs and snowy mountains!

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