From sand dunes to starry skies, discover Tottori’s nature charms
Soak in the pastoral views and bountiful nature of Tottori prefecture with a drive through the Hiruzen Highlands and Mt. Daisen, before heading towards the coast to its famous sand dunes. Want to enjoy a star-studded canvas of the Milky Way? Tottori’s pristine night sky is perfect for stargazing.
What to expect
- Driving through the Hiruzen Highlands
- Stargazing on Mt. Daisen
- Visiting the biggest sand dunes in Japan
Fast facts
- Time: 3 days
- Distance: Around 270 kilometres
- Transport: Car
- Discover Another Pass: SAN’IN-SANYO EASTERN ATTRACTIONS PASS 3DAY
Get unlimited admission to major tourist attractions in the region. Discover Another Japan Pass is applicable wherever you see this icon.
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How to Get to Kurashiki
Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, you have the option to drive to the starting point of the tour at Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture, or take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen train (two transfers). While both options take about 3 hours, it may be more cost effective to drive if there are more than four passengers.
Kurashiki
The name “Kurashiki” roughly translates as “town of storehouses,” referring to the rows of rice storehouses that proliferated this city during the Edo Era, reflecting its importance as a rice distribution centre in Japan then. Kurashiki is also Japan’s premier destination for jeans – the Kojima area is known as the birthplace of jeans in the country. The city stretches out to the historic harbour town of Tamashima, where rows of preserved centuries-old merchant houses prevail.
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Ohara Museum of Art
Ohara Museum of Art is the oldest private museum featuring Western art in Japan. It was opened in 1930 and exhibits about 1000 pieces including paintings, ceramics, wood engraving prints, dyeing and Asian antiques. Photo from Ohara Museum of Art.
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Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Many of Kurashiki’s former storehouses from the 17th-20th century have been converted into museums, boutiques, and cafes at Kurashiki Bikan, a picturesque canal area lined with weeping willow trees. Crisscrossed by stone bridges, small boats ferry passengers along the waterway.
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/915/Read More
about 2 hours by car
Hiruzen Highlands
The Hiruzen Highlands is a popular all-season outdoor recreation area, and is particularly known for its mountain trails. Enjoy the fresh air and natural scenery as you participate in outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, camping, skiing, and horseback riding. Drive along the picturesque Hiruzen-Daisen Skyline and soak in the sublime views of the mountain ranges; stop by the Kimendai Observatory for a 360º view of this stunning landscape.
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/chugoku/okayama/hiruzen-kogen-highlands-area/-
Hiruzen Jersey Land
Hiruzen is home to Japan’s largest Jersey Cow farm, and the free-range cows are pastured here from late April to the middle of November. Sample locally-produced dairy products made from rich Jersey milk, like cheese fondue, yoghurt, and rich soft cream, at the farm’s cafe/restaurant.
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Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbill
Enjoy a panoramic view of the three Hiruzen peaks at this enchanting herb garden, which is also home to one of Japan’s largest lavender fields as well as about 3,000 hydrangea flowers.
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about 60 mins by car
Starry Sky Photo Tour in Mt. Daisen
The night sky at Mt. Daisen is wonderfully unobstructed by light pollution, which makes it ideal for stargazing. The Starry Sky Photo Tour event is held here all year round, where you create customised photos using the star-studded night sky as a canvas, with photos taken by a professional photographer. Have fun drawing in the night sky by waving penlights in the dark, and create a lasting memory with your own illuminated artwork of Mt. Daisen.
Official website
Daisen
Mt. Daisen is a ski destination in winter, and is popular with hikers in summer with its network of trails that vary in distance and difficulty. Once a hallowed ground for mountain Buddhism, it has also become a revered site for forest bathing. At 1,729 metres, its highest peak offers breathtaking views of the Sea of Japan, Yumigahama Peninsula, and Nakaumi lake on a clear day. Drive around the mountain to take in the full range of its beauty.
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/942/-
Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography
Shoji Ueda is one of the most awarded Japanese photographers worldwide. The location of the museum faces a gently sloping field at the foot of the famed Mt Daisen. Visitors are offered scenes of the beautiful peak of the mountain reflected upside-down in the pools of water between exhibition rooms.
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Tottori Prefectural Flower Park
Tottori Prefectural Flower Park, one of Japan's major flower paradises, overlooks the magnificent Mt. Daisen. In addition to verdant greens all year round, enjoy the charms of its seasonal flowers, from tulips in spring, roses in summer, and cosmos in autumn.
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about 90 mins by car
Misasa Onsen
Established over 800 years ago, Misasa Onsen is a pastoral hot spring town situated amidst forested hills and historic temples. The town’s Showa Street – populated with retro shops – is unique for its tofu art on display. Bathing in or drinking the hot spring water from this onsen town is said to improve metabolism and boost immunity. You can take a bath in any of the inns and public baths here; those with more courage can soak in the public outdoor mixed-gender riverside bath at Kawaraburo.
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Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory
This museum is located in Hokuei Town, the birthplace of Gosho Aoyama – the author of the popular manga Detective Conan. Conan is a well-known icon even among Singaporeans. One of his animated films, called "Case Closed: The Fist of Blue Sapphire, " was actually set in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Come to this manga factory to see the exhibited items from his childhood and learn about his background while diving into his creative world.
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Machiya Seisuian
Machiya Seisuian is a restaurant famous for its mochi (rice cake) shabu shabu and the traditional Machiya architecture, which was originally built in Meiji era.
Seisuian has been serving mochi shabu shabu – thinly-sliced pounded rice cake that you dip in a simmering, savoury broth – for over 100 years. Their rice cake strips come in 12 flavours, including yuzu, mugwort, and roasted sesame. Seisuian is housed in a historic Machiya-style building from the Meiji Era, enveloping diners in a warm atmosphere surrounded with wooden accents.Read More
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Misasa Onsen Mansuiro
Mansuirou is an upscale ryokan inn located in the centre of the town, boasting elegant Japanese design. Guest rooms, available in both Japanese and Western style, flaunt magnificent views of the surrounding nature. Here, you can also find public and private baths where you can soak in Misasa’s hot spring water, said to have healing effects with its radon-rich properties.
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about 60 mins by car
Tottori City
While most visitors use the city as a jumping-off point to visit the famous sand dunes of Tottori Prefecture, Tottori City was once the seat of power during the Edo Era. Learn about its history at the castle ruins, which is located on a hill surrounded by cherry trees, or enjoy matcha and sweets as you view the Japanese-style garden of Kannon-in Temple. Round out the visit with a trip to the beach, seafood market, or an onsen bathhouse.
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Uradome Coast Pleasure Boat
Enjoy a leisure cruise with a stunning view of white sandy beaches with Japanese Black Pine trees, a variety of landscapes, and a spectacular ria coast. The water here is so crystal clear that the visibility is up to 25 metres below!
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Tottori Harbour Seafood Market - Karoichi
Have a taste of a multitude of freshly-caught and dried seasonal seafood at this sprawling seafood market. Plenty of seafood dishes are on offer at Karoichi’s restaurant section – Kaiyotei, a fish tank restaurant, is particularly famous for its white squid. Adjacent buildings offer local produce, and there’s also a free-entry aquarium displaying giant crabs!
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Tottori Sand Dunes
Not far from Tottori City lies the massive, striking Tottori Sand Dunes. Stretching nearly 16 kilometres along the coast with dunes towering at 50 metres tall, it is a picturesque sandy playground where you can go for exhilarating camel rides, paragliding or sand boarding. Take the chairlift to the observation deck for scenic views from this vantage point.
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/949/Read More
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Tottori Sand Dunes - The Sand Museum
The Sand Museum is the only indoor museum in the world that specifically exhibits sand sculptures. The sculptures are made using only sand and water, and the exhibition concept is "Travel around the World in Sand" with a changing theme every year.
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Mikakuno Oyado Yamadaya
Tottori is an important distributor of the Matsuba crab – these succulent male snow crabs from the San’in region are packed with umami, and best enjoyed from November to March. Savour grilled crab hot pot or crab miso at Yamadaya, a waterfront ryokan inn located near Karo Harbour. For reservation only.
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Tottori Sand Dunes Stargazing
Since the region is known for the incredible visibility of its night sky, you can go stargazing throughout the year at Tottori’s sand dunes. Relax on the sand, and be awed by the views of the majestic Milky Way painted all above you.
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To return to Kansai International Airport (KIX), you can either drop the car off at Tottori Airport and fly via domestic flight, or take the Super Hakuto train (plus the airport bus) to KIX. Alternatively, if you prefer to take it slow, you can drive directly to KIX or Osaka (roughly 240km, or about 4 hours).
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