Tottori Attractions

It is hard to define Tottori. Instead of a tourist destination, it’s better to say that Tottori is an otherworldly Arcadia where visitors find tranquility and peace. The most attracting view here is the sand dunes standing right next to the ocean. You can also take a bath in Tottori’s relaxing and beneficial hot springs after visiting its breezy and astonishingly beautiful coast by a glass boat. Besides, as the birthplace of some famous caricaturists, Tottori also owns several spots to pay tribute to them and their works.

To visit Tottori, 1-2 days are enough.
 

Top Attractions in Tottori

Tottori Sand Dunes

Located in Tottori City center, Tottori Sand Dunes have a larger scale than other sand dunes in Japan. The dunes have a history of more than 100,000 years. Some of the sand dunes can even reach a height of 50 meters (164 feet). Tottori Sand Dunes are designated as a Special Reserve and Natural Monument, and they are the landmarks of Tottori. You can ride a camel, try sand boarding, or paraglide when enjoying the grand and marvelous scenery.
 

Tottori Sand Dunes

Sand Museum

Right next to the sand dunes, the Sand Museum is the first museum around the world to especially display sand statues. The first-class sand statues here are made of the unique and fine sand taken from Tottori Sand Dune by talented sculptors from all over the country. After going to the sand dunes, paying a visit to this special museum provides you another perspective to appreciate the beauty of sand.
 

Mt. Daisen 

Mt. Daisen in Fog

Mt. Daisen is another landmark of Tottori, along with Mt. Mitoku. They are both renowned for ascetic training. The name means “grand mountains” and it’s considered one of the three greatest mountains in Japan. Meanwhile, it looks just like Mt. Fuji from the west side. However, it receives much fewer tourists than Mt. Fuji. With its massive forests and the height of 1,709 meters (5,607 feet), Mt. Daisen is seen as a perfect hiking destination. In wintertime, it will turn into a skiing resort open to all outdoor sports lovers.

 

Misasa Onsen

Tottori is renowned for its hot springs, too. The Misasa spring bears a high level of radon, which can be absorbed by human bodies through breathing, drinking, and soaking. It has an antioxidant capacity and can promote our blood circulation and metabolism. Start a hot spring journey in Misasa to refresh your body and spirit. After that, changing into a Japanese traditional bathing suit and walking around the nearby streets will be an unforgettable experience as well.

Uradome Coast

Uradome Coast in Tottori

On the easternmost part of Tottori Prefecture, Uradome Coast stretches for around 15 kilometers (9 miles). Sea erosion forms the unique sea walls and caves, along with its jagged rocks. You don’t want to miss the emerald-colored sea and pine trees growing on numerous rocks. To have a better visiting experience, you may take the glass boat or go snorkeling in the sea.
 

Hakuto Shrine and Hakuto Beach

Hakuto means white rabbit. The name comes from a myth in which the Rabbit God was rescued by a king and predicted that the king would marry the princess he loved. It turned out to be true, so the king built Hakuto Shrine for the Rabbit God. Because of this story, the shrine ended up as a sacred place to pray for romantic love and happy marriage. Rabbit statues are dotted in the shrine and you can buy a cute rabbit amulet here to keep lucky.
 
After visiting the shrine, take a walk on nearby Hakuto Beach, whose coastline looks like a bow. It is also regarded as a sacred place for couples. It will be romantic if you take a walk along the coast with the one you love.
 

Conan Town

If you are an anime addict, then you must pay a visit to Conan Town in Tottori. There is a museum named after Gosho Aoyama, the writer of Case Closed, which displays some of the author’s original drafts. Visitors will also know more about the author’s life experience and exclusive background stories about Case Closed in the museum. Except for the museum, the 1:1 replica of Dr. Agasa’s Bettle and many related products of Case Closed are waiting for you in Conan Town.

More Attractions to See in Tottori

Mt. Mitoku

Mt. Mitoku is a great destination for outdoor sports lovers since they must go through a rather steep mountain road to get to the peak. People may get timid or scared when climbing the mountain road leading to Sanbutsuji Temple in the mountain, which is famous for ascetic training. If you are excited about challenging outdoor activities, then start a trip to Mt. Mitoku.

Visitors Hiking on Mt. Mitoku

Kannon-in

Kannon-in is a temple built for the Ikeda family, ancient feudal lords in Tottori. The most impressive scenery in the temple is the Japanese style courtyard, where the pond is surrounded by well-trimmed trees and accommodates two rocks which represent longevity and health. It’s recommended to drink a cup of tea and taste Japanese traditional desserts while you are relaxing and enjoying the view.
 

Mizuki Shigeru Road

Anime Shop on Mizuki Shigeru Road

Mizuki Shigeru Road is another holy place for anime lovers. Tottori is the birthplace of the great caricaturist Mizuki Shigeru, who has drawn the famous caricature, GeGeGe no Kitarō. The road, around 800 meters long (875 yards), was built to remember him and his works. Thus it is lined with plenty of vividly sculpted monster statues from his caricatures. You can take pictures with the statues and buy some anime-related products in the stores beside the road.
 

Tottori Flower Corridor

The biggest flower park in Japan, Tottori Flower Corridor, is situated right in front of Mt. Daisen. It owns a variety of plants and flowers. The one-kilometer-long (0.6 miles) corridor circles around the whole park, which makes sure that visitors enjoy a terrific view of its gorgeous flowers, including garden cosmos, tulips, and, of course, cherry blossoms, whenever they arrive here. The unusual green and yellow cherry blossoms here are also worth a visit.

Daisen Milk no Sato

Visitors can enjoy the white rose milk from local cows which grow up in Mt. Daisen. All the products here are made from local milk. It’s also recommended to buy some delicious ice cream cookies to take away as gifts. What’s more, you can even try milking here.

Recommended Route to Visit Tottori

Day 1: Hakuto Shrine - Hakuto Beach - Tottori Sand Dune - Sand Museum
 

Day 2: Uradome Coast - Conan Town - Live in Bokoro Ryokan Hotel and take a hot spring bath