The famous city of Tottori

Tottori City (鳥取) is located in western Japan along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan and is best known for its Tottori Sakyu sand dunes, the largest in Japan. Tottori is one of Japan's smallest and least populated prefectures, but its natural beauty, culinary delights, and cultural attractions make the city a major tourist destination.

Let's discover Tottori

All sand

The Tottori Sand Dunes (鳥取砂丘) are the largest sand dunes in Japan and the city's most famous tourist attraction. The dunes were created over thousands of years when sand from the Sendaigawa River was washed out to sea and eventually carried back to the coast by ocean currents. Tides and coastal winds constantly shape the dunes, creating an ever-changing landscape.

Don't miss the camel rides where on a sunny day, the dunes are a sight to behold.

The clear waters of Tottori

The Uradome Coast is located just a few kilometers from Tottori, and from various observatories, such as Ajiro in Tajiri Park, you can admire the beaches. The incredible rock formations and crystal-clear waters make Uradome a favorite spot for kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming.

Kannon-In Temple

Kannon-in (観音院) is a temple built on the eastern edge of Tottori City during the Edo period by the then-powerful Ikeda family. Unfortunately, the castle fell victim to the Meiji-era government's modernization policies and was subsequently destroyed.

After the end of the feudal era in 1907, the former lord built a European-style building called Jinpukaku at the base of the castle ruins. The new structure, constructed of white wood, features open verandas, brick fireplaces, and a beautiful wooden spiral staircase that has become a key feature of its architecture.

Over the years it has been used as the prince's accommodation, a public hall, a reception hall and a prefectural museum.
The temple is famous for its Japanese-style garden, featuring a large pond surrounded by lawns and tall maple and pine trees. The pond features small islands depicting a crane and a turtle, symbols of longevity and health.

Today, the ruins of Tottori Castle are all that remains on the side of Mount Kyusho, with only the castle's stone walls and a single wooden gate still standing. Visitors can enjoy a commanding view of the city from an observation deck. Between early and mid-April, cherry blossoms can be admired along the walls, making the castle a popular spot for tourists and locals who flock to observe the event.

Tottori Prefectural Museum

Built near the castle ruins, the Tottori Prefectural Museum displays a collection of art, folk history, and natural history related to the prefecture of the same name.

Yamabikokan

The Yamabikokan is a science and history museum that uses technology, hands-on experiences, and active participation in experiments to introduce its visitors to the prefecture. It also hosts several special exhibitions throughout the year.

Craft Museum

Craft MuseumThe Craft Museum displays a small collection of antique furniture and household items, such as tansu chests, chairs, and a wide range of furniture reflecting Tottori's signature design and craftsmanship.

The ancient warehouse, which is very interesting to visit and adds an extra touch of charm to the museum, is attracting more and more visitors.

Tottori Sand Museum

Japan has a wide range of unique museums to visit, and a particularly fascinating one is the Tottori Sand Museum. Located near the dunes, the museum is dedicated to sand sculptures. Every year since 2012, the museum has focused on a specific annual theme, and sand artists create a variety of sculptures that reflect the chosen theme. The skill and precision of the sculptors in creating these works truly amazes visitors. It's worth a visit.

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The Legend of the God, the Princess and the White Rabbit

Also linked to this city is a legend of the Hakuto shrine, dedicated to the god Inaba-no-shirousagi.
According to an ancient legend, the white rabbit who lived on the Oki Islands wanted to visit Honshu Island but was unable to face the sea voyage. So he devised a plan to trick the sharks living in the sea, asking them to line up so he could count them and compare their numbers with the rabbits. While pretending to count, the rabbit walked over the sharks and thus reached Honshu Island.
Suddenly, the fish realized that the rabbit had deceived them, so they decided to bite its fur in revenge. A dying Inaba-no-shirousagi reached the shore where he met the god Hakuto Okuninushi, who advised the rabbit to swim in the cool, clear water of a pond and dry himself among the reeds. Inaba-no-shirousagi followed the advice, healed his fur, and became a god. He is still venerated at this shrine today.

Tottori's culinary specialty: pears

Once we've finished our sightseeing tour of Tottori, all that's left to do is stop and savor a typical local delicacy: nashi pears. Japanese pears, called nashi, look a lot like apples but don't taste like them. It's common to see residents buying nashi pears during the autumn. Nashigari, or pear picking, is a common activity practiced in the fields around the city on some farms during this period.

How to get there

Tottori has a well-developed transportation network by air, train, and bus.
Haneda Airport offers daily flights from both Sakyu Conan Airport, with easy access to the city and the dunes, and Yonago Kitaro, near Sakaiminato and Shimane Prefecture.
The express train service connects Tottori to Osaka in less than three hours.
Highway buses connect the city to a wide range of other major cities at affordable prices.