VISIT TOTTORI CITY

The Tottori Sand Dunes, one of Tottori’s most iconic attractions, offer ever-changing scenery depending on the season and time of day, making it a place worth visiting more than once.

It is rare in Japan that major tourist attractions are located within about a 10-minute drive from Tottori Airport, Tottori Station, and the city center.

While many visitors enjoy various activities during the daytime, staying overnight in the city also allows you to experience the dunes in different ways—such as early morning with few footprints as the sun rises, a romantic sunset view, or a beautiful star-filled night sky. With no entry restrictions, this natural attraction can be enjoyed freely at any time of day.

To make the most of your visit to the Tottori Sand Dunes, please check the page below for more information.

After visiting the Tottori Sand Dunes, head into downtown Tottori! The area around Tottori Station offers many accommodation options, and the “Kururi” loop bus, which costs just 100 yen per ride, makes it easy to explore efficiently even without a car.

We recommend exploring the city at your own pace based on your interests—such as discovering its history as a former castle town, enjoying local gourmet food hopping, or visiting public baths around the city.

You can spend a full day sightseeing in the city center, or enjoy it right up until your departure, as it is only about a 15-minute drive from the airport. Enjoy everything that compact and convenient downtown Tottori has to offer.

For those without a car, we recommend the “Loop Kirinjishi” sightseeing bus, which circulates between major tourist attractions. With a convenient one-day pass that also includes discount benefits, why not explore Tottori freely and at your own pace?

It is especially recommended because you can travel between the Tottori Sand Dunes and downtown Tottori without any transfers.

Tottori Castle Ruins, located on Mt. Kyusho overlooking downtown Tottori, was once the site of a famous siege led by Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi). In the Edo period, it was expanded into a hillside castle of the Tottori Domain, valued at 320,000 koku, ranking 12th in Japan at the time.

Today, most of the castle structures have been dismantled, and the ruins have been developed into Kyusho Park, a beloved recreational area for local residents.

From the summit of Mt. Kyusho, known as Sangenomaru, visitors can enjoy panoramic views. The park also features various historical highlights, including rare stone walls, the reconstructed Gibon Bridge and Naka-no-Gomon (main gate), as well as Meiji-era landmarks such as the white Western-style Jinpūkaku building and the Tottori Prefectural Museum. This area offers insights ranging from the Sengoku period to modern urban history, making it one of Tottori City’s key attractions alongside the Tottori Sand Dunes.

Located about 15 minutes by car from the Tottori Sand Dunes, Hakuto Beach is known for its beautiful white sand. In summer, it is bustling with beachgoers and surfers. It is also famous as the setting of the myth “The White Hare of Inaba” and is regarded as the birthplace of Japan’s oldest love story, making it a popular power spot for matchmaking and love.

At the Ketanosaki Observation Plaza, you will find the “Bell of Love” and a camera stand, allowing you to capture beautiful photos with the Sea of Japan as a backdrop.

At Hakuto Shrine, you will see many rabbit stone statues, and even the omamori (charms) feature rabbit motifs throughout. We invite you to visit one of Tottori’s most powerful spots for love and matchmaking.

 There are many hot springs in Tottori City within a 35-minute drive from the Tottori Sand Dunes. At many of these facilities, natural hot spring water flows directly from underground into the baths. This section introduces hot springs in Tottori City by area.

Fresh seafood caught in the Sea of Japan, along with local dishes and regional specialties found only in Tottori, are among the true highlights of traveling here.

You can enjoy seasonal ingredients that change throughout the year, or explore unique eateries born from Tottori’s distinctive food culture—such as its famously high consumption of curry roux (often ranking first in Japan) and one of the highest coffee consumption rates in the country.

Be sure to check out well-known restaurants near tourist spots and enjoy Tottori’s gourmet cuisine efficiently and to the fullest.