Things to Do

Tottori's sights divide neatly between the dune coast and the old castle-town centre. Do the dunes early or late in hot weather, then use the city sights for the middle of the day.

Guide

Things to Do

01

Tottori Sand Dunes

Japan's largest coastal dune field, rising above the Sea of Japan just outside Tottori city.

Sight
02

The Sand Museum

Indoor sand-sculpture museum beside the dunes, rebuilt around a new world theme each year.

Museum
03

Tottori Castle Ruins

Hillside castle remains with stone walls, forest paths, and wide views over Tottori.

Sight
04

Tottori Prefectural Museum

Tottori Prefectural Museum covers the prefecture's nature, geology, history, festivals, and art. Displays range from regional rocks and minerals to cultural objects and local …

Museum
05

Kannon-in Temple Garden

Quiet Edo-period temple garden built around a pond, best for a slow pause in the city.

Sight
06

Jinpukaku

White wooden Meiji-era villa below the castle ruins, built for a former Tottori lord.

Architecture
07

Hakuto Shrine

Hakuto Shrine is linked to the Inaba white rabbit legend, one of the best-known stories associated with Tottori. The shrine and its pond are …

Sight
08

Kawahara Castle

Kawahara Castle stands south of central Tottori near the meeting of the Hatto and Sendai rivers. The present tower is a modern observation tower …

Museum
09

Tottori City History Museum

Tottori City History Museum uses multimedia exhibits and digital displays to explain the city's local history and culture. It is a useful indoor stop …

Museum
10

Watanabe Museum

The Watanabe Museum grew from the private collection of Hajime Watanabe, a local doctor who began collecting while working in Taiwan in the 1940s. …

Museum
11

Tottori Mingei Museum of Folkcrafts

Tottori Mingei Museum of Folkcrafts is a small two-story museum with pottery, glass, textiles, woodwork, and bamboo work. Ushinotoyaki pottery is the highlight of …

Museum
12

Ube Shrine

Ube Shrine is one of the old shrines of the Inaba area, the eastern part of modern Tottori Prefecture. It is traditionally associated with …

Sight
13

Warabekan

Warabekan is a children's museum in a re-created old school building. Its displays of tin toys and schoolroom nostalgia make it a good family …

Museum
14

Genchu-ji

Genchu-ji is a temple connected with Araki Mataemon, a legendary swordsman whose grave is on the grounds. The temple also has unusually lively rakan …
15

Hakuto Beach

Hakuto Beach is tied to the White Rabbit of Inaba legend, which gives the beach its name and links it with nearby Hakuto Shrine. …

Sight
16

Idegahama Beach

Idegahama Beach is known for narisuna, or singing sand: silica-rich grains that make a soft sound underfoot in hot, dry conditions. It is a …
17

Mt. Kyusho

Mt. Kyusho rises behind the Tottori Castle ruins and makes a short climb of about half an hour. The reward is a broad view …
18

Natsudomari Beach

Natsudomari Beach is a quiet coastal stop west of central Tottori, known for the female divers who have worked these waters for centuries. It …

Sight
19

Ochidani Shrine

Ochidani Shrine was built in 1650 by Mitsunaka Ikeda, the first lord of Tottori. It enshrines the same deity worshipped at Nikko's Toshogu Shrine, …

Sight
20

Shikano Castle Ruins

Shikano Castle Ruins preserve the moats and stonework of a former castle site in western Tottori. No original castle buildings survive, but the grounds …

Sight
21

Inaba Man-yō History Pavilion

Inaba Man-yō History Pavilion is a small museum in Kokufu-cho with artifacts from the old Inaba area, especially from the Nara and Heian periods. …

Museum