Tottori

Tottori is most comfortable for travel in spring and autumn. The seaside can be windy, so bring a jacket.

Tottori Prefecture is not especially large, but it has sand dunes, coastline, and mountain scenery, and it is also the hometown of Gosho Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan. With a short 2–3 day trip, you can cover the main sights.

Here is a classic Tottori travel reference:

Main Attractions

Tottori’s attractions are fairly spread out, so it is better to plan your route by area.

• Tottori Sand Dunes: Japan’s largest sand dunes, where you can try camel riding, sandboarding, and paragliding. The dunes face the Sea of Japan, and the views are especially open and expansive at dusk.

• Uradome Coast: Selected as one of Japan’s top 100 seashores, with very clear seawater. You can take a sightseeing boat through unusual rock formations and small islands while enjoying the coastal landscape.

• Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory: Located in Conan Town, this museum displays many original drawings and manuscripts. It also has a 1:1 replica of the Mouri Detective Agency, making it a good stop for fans of Detective Conan.

• Hakuto Shrine: Connected to a matchmaking legend in Japanese mythology. The shrine has rabbit-shaped amulets, and on the nearby coast you can also see a torii gate standing by the sea.

• The Sand Museum: An art museum themed around sand sculptures. Its theme changes each year to feature a different country, and the works are large in scale. It is convenient to visit together with the Tottori Sand Dunes.

Classic Itinerary

It is best to allow 2–3 days, which gives you enough time to see the main sights without too much rushing between places.

• Day 1: Sand Dunes and Coastline
  • Morning: Depart from Tottori Station for the Tottori Sand Dunes. You can choose sandboarding or camel riding, then walk to the nearby Sand Museum for a visit.
  • Lunch: Eat at the Karo Port seafood market, where you can try fresh crab and seafood rice bowls.
  • Afternoon: Visit Hakuto Shrine to get a matchmaking amulet, then take a walk along Hakuto Coast and enjoy the clear blue sea views.

• Day 2: Conan Pilgrimage and Hidden Bay
  • Morning: Take the JR train to Yura Station and explore Conan Town. Along the way, pass Conan Street and Beika Shopping Street, then end at the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory to take part in a mystery-solving game.
  • Afternoon: Head to Uradome Coast and take a sightseeing boat to see the transparent seawater and sea caves. If you have enough time, you can also stop by Kurayoshi City to see the Shirakabe Dozogun white-walled storehouses.

• Day 3 (Optional): Hot Springs and Mountains
  • In the morning, you can visit Misasa Onsen to experience one of the world’s rare radon radioactive hot springs. Alternatively, go hiking on Mount Daisen and look out over the Sea of Japan. Plan your return trip in the afternoon.

Transportation and Practical Tips

• Getting There: From Osaka, you can take the JR Limited Express “Super Hakuto,” which goes directly to Tottori in about 2.5 hours. If you are watching your budget, you can also take a highway bus, which takes about 3 hours. Foreign visitors can often find discounted tickets for 1,000 yen.
• Getting Around: Tottori’s sights are quite spread out. The easiest option is to charter a car at the tourist center near Tottori Station, at about 6,000 yen for 3 hours. If using buses, consider buying a 3-day bus pass for 1,800 yen.
• Where to Stay: The area around Tottori Station is convenient for transport and has more dining options. If you want to include a hot spring stay, consider a resort in Kaike Onsen or Misasa Onsen.