Tottori is Japan’s least populated prefecture — and one of its most fascinating. Home to the country’s only large sand dunes, a legendary folklore museum, and some of the freshest snow crab on the Japan Sea coast, Tottori rewards visitors who venture off the well-worn tourist trail.
Top Attractions
1. Tottori Sand Dunes
Japan’s largest sand dunes — stretching 16km along the coast — are a genuinely surprising landscape. Camel rides, sandboarding, and paragliding are available, and the dunes glow beautifully in the late afternoon sun.
2. Mizuki Shigeru Road
The birthplace of manga artist Mizuki Shigeru (creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro) in Sakaiminato is lined with 177 bronze statues of yokai (supernatural creatures) from his beloved works — a unique and delightful pilgrimage for fans.
3. Tottori Folkcraft Museum & Uradome Coast
The Uradome Coast is one of San’in’s most beautiful stretches of coastline — transparent turquoise water, white sand beaches, and dramatic rocky outcrops accessible by sightseeing boat.
Food & Drink
Tottori’s Matsuba Crab (Zuwaigani) is some of Japan’s finest snow crab. Also famous: Pear (Nashi) — Tottori produces Japan’s most celebrated pears — and fresh Japan Sea fish.
Getting There
From Osaka, the Super Hakuto limited express reaches Tottori City in about 2.5 hours.
