Tottori Trip Tips

History & culture

Tottori has many places of interest that remind one of Japanese history and culture, such as the ruins of Tottori Castle and Daisenji Temple. It is also known as a manga kingdom, being the birthplace of Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of Gegege no Kitaro.

Tottori Sand Dune

It is a representative sightseeing spot of Tottori Prefecture. The dunes are the largest in Japan, covering 33.4 square kilometers. Visitors can enjoy activities such as the “dune trolley,” which allows visitors to slide down the dune slopes, and the “camel camel ride,” in which they can ride a camel through the dunes.

Tottori Sand Dune Travel Guide  

Mizuki Shigeru Road

This theme park is located in Sakaiminato City, the birthplace of cartoonist Shigeru Mizuki. The park exhibits bronze statues of yokai that appear in Mizuki’s works and a diorama that recreates the world of Mizuki’s manga.

Mt. Daisen

It is the highest peak in the Chugoku region and rises 1,729 meters above sea level. The summit commands a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and the Chugoku Mountains. There are well-maintained trails, and even beginners can easily climb the mountain.

Mt. Daisen Tourism Guide  

Hakuto coast

Located in Tottori City, this beach offers beautiful scenery of white sand and green pines. It is a wonderful beach, selected as one of the 100 best beaches in Japan, and is famous as a sacred place for lovers because of its beauty. Also, “Hakuto” means a white rabbit, and there is a myth of marriage in this area. The shrine in the image is dedicated to the white rabbit and is a power spot for lovers.

Tourist Information for Tottori Japan  

Toritori Ramen

Tottori Ramen is a representative ramen of Tottori Prefecture, based on chicken and pork bones. The rich broth and thin noodles are a perfect match.

Hamayaki

Hamayaki is a dish in which fresh seafood is grilled on a grill. You can enjoy a variety of seafood such as crab, shrimp, squid, scallops, and turban shells on the beach. It is recommended to eat hamayaki at a restaurant by the sea. Try tasting fresh seafood while feeling the ocean breeze.

Pickled japanese onion

Sakyu Rakkyo, a specialty of Tottori Prefecture, grows on the sands of the Tottori Sand Dunes facing the Sea of Japan, giving it a unique flavor with a good balance of sweet and spicy tastes. It is harvested from June to October, and can be enjoyed raw, pickled, tempura, or stir-fried.

Nijusseiki pears

Nijusseiki pears, a specialty product of Tottori Prefecture, are characterized by their juicy juice with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Harvest time is from late August to early October, and events and campaigns featuring Nijusseiki pears are held throughout the prefecture during the season.

Camel ride

This activity can be enjoyed at the Tottori Sand Dunes, a major tourist attraction in Tottori Prefecture. Visitors can take a camel ride to explore the dunes and enjoy the magnificent view of the Sea of Japan and the dunes.

Climbing Mt. Daisen

Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region, has well-maintained mountain trails, making it easy for even beginners to climb. From the summit, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the Sea of Japan and the Chugoku Mountains.

Swimming at Hakuto Beach

Hakuto Beach in Tottori Prefecture is a beautiful beach with white sand and green pines. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the sea in summer, and beach chairs and parasols are available for rent at the beach. The Hakuto Shrine is also a popular tourist spot, with the legend of the White Rabbit Princess left behind.

Specter Tour on Mizuki Shigeru Road

Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, is a theme park in the birthplace of cartoonist Shigeru Mizuki. The 1.6-km promenade is a fun spot for children and adults alike, with familiar yokai such as Nezumi Otoko (mouse man), Kitaro (Kitaro), and Meodama Oyaji (father with eyeballs) making one appearance after another.

Spring

• Cherry Blossoms at Tottori Sand Dunes: At Tottori Sand Dunes, approximately 2,000 cherry trees bloom in spring. The cherry blossoms that fill the slopes of the dunes contrast beautifully with the blue waters of the Sea of Japan, attracting many tourists from Japan and abroad.

Summer

• Wind ripples on Tottori Sand Dunes: Wind ripples on the Tottori Sand Dunes are a summer tradition in Tottori Prefecture. On windy days, beautiful patterns appear on the dunes. The shapes of the wind ripples vary depending on the strength and direction of the wind, and are most beautiful at sunrise and in the evening.
• Climbing Mt. Daisen: Mt. Daisen can be climbed in a relatively short time, with the distance from the trailhead to the summit about 6 km and the time required about 3 hours. From the summit, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the Sea of Japan and the Chugoku Mountains.

Autumn

• Autumn Foliage of Daisen: Daisen is covered with autumn leaves from the summit to the foot of the mountain in autumn. The best time to view the leaves is usually from late October to early November. Climbing and hiking are recommended to enjoy the autumn leaves, but you can also fully enjoy them while driving in a car.
• Autumn Foliage on Shirouto Kaigan: On Shirouto Kaigan, pine forests along the coast turn red and yellow in autumn, providing a fantastic view. The best time to view the leaves is usually from late November to early December. During this period, the “Autumn Foliage Festival” is held along the coast, where visitors can enjoy events such as lighting up the leaves and live music.

Winter

• Snowy Landscape of Tottori Sand Dunes: The Tottori Sand Dunes are enveloped in a silver world in winter. The snow falling on the white dunes is as beautiful as a Christmas tree in a foreign country. At night, you can also see the fantastic sight of the Tottori Sand Dunes lit up.
• Snowy Scenery of Daisen: Daisen is enveloped in a silver world in winter. From the top of the mountain, magnificent views of the Sea of Japan and the Chugoku Mountains can be seen. There are also ski resorts at the foot of the mountain where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

Festival

• Hakuto Shrine Grand Festival (July 25 and 26): The Hakuto Shrine is a shrine where the legend of the White Hare Princess remains, and events based on this legend are held. The festival also includes the “Omikoshi Togyo” (portable shrine procession), a procession of portable shrines through the shrine grounds, and a fireworks display.
• Sakaiminato Port Festival (August 4 and 5): This festival features one of the largest fireworks displays on the Sea of Japan, with approximately 10,000 fireworks brightly lighting up the night sky over the Sea of Japan. Various events are also held before and after the fireworks display, including a parade on the sea and a yosakoi dance performance.
• Tottori Johoku Matsuri (October 1 and 2): This grand festival is one of the three major Yoiyama festivals in Japan. The highlight of the festival is “Yoiyama” held on the night of the second day. Lanterns and paper lanterns are displayed throughout the city, decorating the night sky. In addition, floats and taiko drum stands parade through the city, creating a lively festival atmosphere.

Traditional crafts

• Kurayoshi Lacquerware: Lacquerware made in Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture, is known for its superior quality and beautiful designs. Repeated coats of lacquer are applied over and over again, resulting in lacquerware that is both strong and beautiful.

Airplane

It takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes from Haneda Airport to Tottori Sakyu Conan Airport.

Shinkansen

It takes approximately 5 hours from Tokyo Station to Yonago Station.

Express Bus

It takes about 8 hours from Tokyo Station to Tottori Station.