Large Sand Dunes

The sand dunes of Tottori are giant dunes located on the coast of the city of Tottori, in Tottori prefecture. They are part of the Sanin Kaigan National Park and extend over a rectangle of 2.4 km from north to south and 16 km from east to west. It is one of the largest dune areas in Japan, surpassed only by the Sarugamori Dunes in Aomori Prefecture.

In 1955 they were designated as a natural monument of Japan. It is now considered an important tourist site for the prefecture. You can do activities here like sledding in the sand, paragliding, and riding a camel.

Formation of the Dunes

Tottori’s formidable sand dunes were created over millennia by the Sendai River, tirelessly depositing sediments that washed down from the Chugoku mountains to the sea. The sea currents and the wind regime contributed to the creation of this mini-desert, whose dunes constantly change shape and can reach up to 90 meters high with steep slopes of 40 degrees.

The shape is like an earthenware mortar, so when you walk toward the beach, you have to go down to the bottom of the mortar, then you have to walk up a little. Then you will find an amazing view of the beach below you. One part is called ‘Oasis’, where natural spring water sometimes comes out and makes a small pond. Some years, the pond becomes bigger when it merges with the water from the melted snow.

Tottori Sand Dunes History

A long time ago, the sand dunes were smaller, but because they cut the trees for iron manufacturing the area has extended. In 1897, the area became a practice field for the army until the end of WW2. The sand dunes affected the lives of the local people because the sand was blown to the residential area by strong winds, which is why they started to plant trees for sand prevention. At the same time, people started to regard the sand dunes as a resource for tourism.

The local schools started using them as a destination for school trips. The dunes are also used for extreme sports such as hang-gliding, para-gliding, and sand-boarding using the slopes. The tourist industry brought in camels to promote the area. Camels in the sand dunes remind us of the image of the desert of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Tottori University did a scientific study about the dunes and the plants and insects living in the sand. There are 16 types of plants and insects such as earwig and antlion that made the dunes into their home.

Sand Museum

The Sand Museum is a unique museum that exhibits sculptures made of sand. It opened in 2006 at the eastern end of the sand dunes. The concept of the museum is ‘traveling by sand’. They choose a theme every year and invite many artists from Japan and overseas to contribute to their exhibition. The entrance fee is 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for kids who are younger than 15.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tottori. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Access Information

Access: 22-minute bus ride from Tottori station (JR Line) to Tottori Sakyu (鳥取砂丘) stop

Tottori Sand Dunes Area Map

History and Formation

Mount Daisen is an independent mountain that does not has connections with the other mountains. It became volcanically active about 1 million years ago. It was continuously active, and the last eruption was about 20,800 years ago. These volcanic activities made Mt Daisen into a stratovolcano mainly composed of dacite.

The whole area is designated as the Daisen Oki National Park. The mountain is selected as one of the best 100 mountains in Japan. Because of its beauty and symbolic nature, it is also nicknamed Hoki-Fuji or Izumo-Fuji. We often put the word “Fuji” after the name of the area to show it is the most important mountain in the area.

Hiking at Mount Daisen

Walking at the foot of the mountain is a nice experience. It is not just hiking, but you can also feel the sacred atmosphere visiting several temples and shrines.

Daisenji Temple was founded in 718. It was one of the biggest temples in Japan. At the peak time, there were about 100 sub-temples and 3,000 monk soldiers. After the separation order of shrines and temples, however, they lost their power and now there are only 4 halls and 10 sub-temples in a quiet atmosphere. The main hall is a reconstruction from 1954.

The Amidado is the oldest construction of Daisenji Temple. It was constructed in the mid 16th century.  The main statue was sculpted by the famous sculptor monk Ryoen in the 12th century. You need a reservation to see this old Buddhist statue and you can also try Zazen meditation in this hall. Both the hall and the statues are designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

Shrine Approach and Vegetarian Cuisine

The approach to the shrine is really something. It is the longest stone-paved approach to a shrine in Japan. It stretches for about 700 meters. Some parts are really steep. This approach, surrounded by old cedar trees, was made in the late 18th century. There used to be many priest and monk residences on both sides of the approach. There remain several Jizo statues on the way.

Then, at the end of the approach, you will find the huge complex of Ogamiyama Shrine. It is unknown when it was founded, but from a long time ago, it has served as a center of mountain worship. The main hall is designated as a National Important Cultural Property.

There are several restaurants at the foot of the mountain. Among them, there is a temple accommodation called Sanrakuso. There, you can have a vegetarian temple lunch without staying overnight. Also, there are some souvenir shops, so before you go back to the city, you can spend some time for eating and shopping.

Climbing to the Summit

If you prefer to climb to the summit of the mountain, you can walk up to the second peak called Mount Misen. Due to a landslide caused by an earthquake in 2000, it is prohibited to climb to the summit. But the top of Mt Misen is only 20 meters lower and also regarded as a summit of Daisen. It takes about 6 hours for a round trip and you can enjoy a magnificent view from the summit of Mt Misen.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including destinations like Mount Daisen. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Mount Daisen Access Information

Access: 50-minute ride on the bus from Yonago Station (JR Line) to Daisenji (大山寺) stop

Mount Daisen Area Map

Gegege no Kitaro

Mizuki’s most famous and successful manga (cartoon) series is ‘Gegege no Kitaro‘, a story of spirit-monsters. The main character Kitaro looks like a human being, but he has a special power; he can use magic to fight vicious monsters to protect humans.

The first anime (animated movie) based on this manga series was published in 1968, which makes it one of the oldest animation series. Most Japanese people know about it, and many can sing along to its theme song. It goes like this: “Ge ge gegege no ge, monsters don’t have to wake up early in the morning. It is fun to be a monster because there are no schools and no exams for us.” So, many children want to be monsters in Japan!

Mizuki Shigeru Road

The main street of Sakaiminato is called Mizuki Shigeru Road because he was born here and the most famous person from this city. All over the street, you can find statues from Gegege no Kitaro. The total number of statues is 177.

The street starts at the train station, Sakaiminato Station. The station and also the trains are decorated with the characters. Even the police box, taxi’s, post boxes, and stores are decorated with Kitaro characters. So it is very interesting to just walk around this street. You can find souvenirs of Kitaro, too.

Mizuki Shigeru Museum

If you walk about 10 minutes from Sakaiminato Station you will find the Mizuki Shigeru Museum where Kitaro welcomes you at the entrance. It is not only Kitaro but other works by the same author as well that are exhibited here. Themes are fantasy, war, history, etc. ‘Kappa no Sanpei’ is also a well-known cartoon. Moreover, you can learn about Mizuki’s biography, and you will come to understand how he had to struggle to become a famous cartoonist. Learning about ghost stories from different parts of Japan is another fun and interesting activity.

Information of Mizuki Shigeru Museum

Access: 10 minutes walk from Sakaiminato Station (JR Line)
Entrance: 700 for adults/500 yen for senior and junior high school students/300 yen for elementary school students
Hours: 9.30 am – 6 pm

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Sakaiminato. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Sakaiminato Area Map