Overview of Tottori Prefecture
Tottori Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located at the northern east of Chugoku Region. It extends 120 kilometres from east to west. Ir ranges for 20 kilometres at its narrowest and 50kilometres at its widest point. The north of Tottori Prefecture faces the Japan Sea. The eastern coastline is a part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, which contains geographical features, such as ria type coasts, sand dunes, white sand and green pines. The highest mountain of Chugoku Region Mt. Daisen and other mountains lie on the southern west of Tottori Prefecture. The three big cities of Tottori City, Kurayoshi City and Yonago City are developed at the downstream plains of three big rivers from the mountains.
Tottori Prefecture has various efficacious Onsen (hot spring in Japanese) such as Kaike Onsen and Misasa Onsen. Also, the San'in region including Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture is the stage of the oldest historic chronicle of Japan "Kojiki" (古事記), and is well-known as one of the most ancient areas, which has many myth-related sites.
Tottori Prefecture has various efficacious Onsen (hot spring in Japanese) such as Kaike Onsen and Misasa Onsen. Also, the San'in region including Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture is the stage of the oldest historic chronicle of Japan "Kojiki" (古事記), and is well-known as one of the most ancient areas, which has many myth-related sites.
Tottori Sand Dunes Area
Don't miss the Tottori Sand Dunes and the Sand Museum, a unique museum that displays large sand sculptures by artists from around the world. The Uradome Coast is a part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, and has a scenic ria coastal inlet with distinctive natural sea walls, cliffs, tunnels, caves, and large rocks of unusual shapes. Tour boat around the cliffs and sea kayaking are the popular activities.
See Sightseeing Spots of Tottori Sand Dunes Area
Kurayoshi and Misasa Onsen Area
Kurayoshi City is located in the cental part of Tottori Prefecture. The city is well-known for its beautiful old white wall storehouse group built mostly in Edo and Meiji period. The area has been selected as a national important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings. Near the city lies one of the world's richest radium springs, Misasa Onsen, and Hawai Onsen popular for its unique TV commercial making fun of its sound similarity with the famous resort Hawaii. A little way further to the outskirts of Kurayoshi City beyond Misasa Onsen, there is Nageiredo on the face of Mount Mitoku (Mitokusan). The building of Nageiredo is constructed under the cave of hard cliff, and was designated an Important Treasure of Japan. Many people challenge the path to the historically significant temple as ascentic practice.
See Sightseeing Spots of Kurayoshi and Misasa Onsen Area
Sakaiminato, Yonago and Daisen Area
Sakaiminato is a port city located in the western part of Tottori Prefecture. The city faces the Japan Sea, and has the Sakai port, one of the most famous fishing ports in Japan. It is the best place to try fresh and delicious seafood. Recently, Sakaiminato city attracts many tourists as a city where one can meet Youkai. Youkai are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The prominent manga cartoonist, Shigeru Mizuki, is from Sakaiminato. He is mostly known for "GeGeGe no Kitaro", in which a one-eyed youkai boy named Kitaro fights for peace between humans and youkai. Mizuki Shigeru Road is a street dedicated to the characters that appear in his manga works. Approximately 150 bronze statues of Youkai line both sides of the road. Many seafood restaurants and souvenir shops can also be found on the street.
Yonago City has Yonago Kitaro Airport. The airport is the main gateway to the San'in region of Japan, making access from Tokyo and Seoul to Mt. Daisen National Park, Sakaiminato, and the historic city of Matsue very easy and convenient. Yonago City also has a seaside hot spring Kaike Onsen. The Kaike Onsen water is composed of sodium and calcium chloride, considered effective mainly for neuralgia, rheumatism, chronic skin diseases, and chronic women’s diseases. Kaike Onsen district includes a total of 30 sightseeing ryokans, hotels and public accommodation, serving up to a total number of 4500 people at once, and making it the largest hot spring area in the San’in region.
A little way further to the outskirts of Yonago City, there is Mt. Daisen National Park. It is the highest mountain in the Chugoku Region of Japan, and one can enjoy various seasonal activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, cycling, horse riding, skiing and snowshoeing.
See Sightseeing Spots of Sakaiminato, Yonago and Daisen Area
Don't miss the Tottori Sand Dunes and the Sand Museum, a unique museum that displays large sand sculptures by artists from around the world. The Uradome Coast is a part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, and has a scenic ria coastal inlet with distinctive natural sea walls, cliffs, tunnels, caves, and large rocks of unusual shapes. Tour boat around the cliffs and sea kayaking are the popular activities.
See Sightseeing Spots of Tottori Sand Dunes Area
Kurayoshi and Misasa Onsen Area
Kurayoshi City is located in the cental part of Tottori Prefecture. The city is well-known for its beautiful old white wall storehouse group built mostly in Edo and Meiji period. The area has been selected as a national important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings. Near the city lies one of the world's richest radium springs, Misasa Onsen, and Hawai Onsen popular for its unique TV commercial making fun of its sound similarity with the famous resort Hawaii. A little way further to the outskirts of Kurayoshi City beyond Misasa Onsen, there is Nageiredo on the face of Mount Mitoku (Mitokusan). The building of Nageiredo is constructed under the cave of hard cliff, and was designated an Important Treasure of Japan. Many people challenge the path to the historically significant temple as ascentic practice.
See Sightseeing Spots of Kurayoshi and Misasa Onsen Area
Sakaiminato, Yonago and Daisen Area
Sakaiminato is a port city located in the western part of Tottori Prefecture. The city faces the Japan Sea, and has the Sakai port, one of the most famous fishing ports in Japan. It is the best place to try fresh and delicious seafood. Recently, Sakaiminato city attracts many tourists as a city where one can meet Youkai. Youkai are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The prominent manga cartoonist, Shigeru Mizuki, is from Sakaiminato. He is mostly known for "GeGeGe no Kitaro", in which a one-eyed youkai boy named Kitaro fights for peace between humans and youkai. Mizuki Shigeru Road is a street dedicated to the characters that appear in his manga works. Approximately 150 bronze statues of Youkai line both sides of the road. Many seafood restaurants and souvenir shops can also be found on the street.
Yonago City has Yonago Kitaro Airport. The airport is the main gateway to the San'in region of Japan, making access from Tokyo and Seoul to Mt. Daisen National Park, Sakaiminato, and the historic city of Matsue very easy and convenient. Yonago City also has a seaside hot spring Kaike Onsen. The Kaike Onsen water is composed of sodium and calcium chloride, considered effective mainly for neuralgia, rheumatism, chronic skin diseases, and chronic women’s diseases. Kaike Onsen district includes a total of 30 sightseeing ryokans, hotels and public accommodation, serving up to a total number of 4500 people at once, and making it the largest hot spring area in the San’in region.
A little way further to the outskirts of Yonago City, there is Mt. Daisen National Park. It is the highest mountain in the Chugoku Region of Japan, and one can enjoy various seasonal activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, cycling, horse riding, skiing and snowshoeing.
See Sightseeing Spots of Sakaiminato, Yonago and Daisen Area