Tottori Prefecture is an often-overlooked destination that's just as rewarding to visit as more famous ones. It has everything: the famous Mount Daisen, nationally renowned sand dunes, the largest crab catch in Japan, and a local pear variety that wins over everyone who tries it. Though it's a small, lesser-known prefecture, it has plenty of charm. Here are 12 must-visit spots in Tottori that you shouldn't miss.
1. Tottori Sand Dunes
The Tottori Sand Dunes lie within San'in Kaigan National Park and are one of the top highlights of a visit to Tottori. The dunes rise up to 50 meters high and stretch across 2 kilometers, and are said to have formed over more than 100,000 years. There's more to do here than just walking around — you can try sandboarding, or ride a camel across the dunes for a relaxed way to take it all in. It's a landmark you shouldn't miss.
Visitor Center Hours:
March to November: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
December to February: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
2. Sand Museum
The Sand Museum is the world's first and only museum dedicated to sand sculpture, located near the Tottori Sand Dunes. It showcases extraordinary sand sculptures created by leading artists from around the world. The theme changes every year, so there's always something new to see.
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on Saturdays) during the exhibition period from mid-April to early January.
Admission: Adults ¥600, junior high and elementary school students ¥300, younger children free.
3. Daisenji Temple
This famous temple in Tottori is over 1,300 years old. It was once an important training ground for Shugendo ascetics. Although it's less prominent today, many of its structures have been well preserved, earning it recognition as one of Japan's cultural heritage sites. The scenery along the path and from the mountain makes it well worth the visit.
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
4. Following Conan's Footsteps at Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory
Tottori is the hometown of the creator of Detective Conan, and the town has embraced a Conan theme. The museum here covers the history of the manga, from creator Gosho Aoyama's background to the process of creating Conan, and displays items related to the series, a recreation of the author's workspace, and plenty of rare collectibles. There are also fun activities to try during your visit, plus souvenirs that any collector will love.
Beyond the museum, the train station, walkways, bus stops, and more around town are also decorated in a Conan theme.
Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM–5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM).
Admission: Adults ¥700, junior high school students ¥500, elementary school students ¥300.
5. Following Kitaro the Little Ghost at Mizuki Shigeru Road
Besides being the hometown of Detective Conan's creator, Tottori is also the birthplace of another legendary manga artist: Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro. A museum here brings together his works, especially those related to Kitaro, along with a faithful recreation of his workspace and plenty of photo spots to enjoy.
Another highlight of this Kitaro-themed town is Mizuki Shigeru Road, lined with more than a hundred statues, manhole covers, and other Kitaro-related displays to enjoy and photograph all the way to JR Sakaiminato Station. If you stay overnight, the street also comes alive at night with lights and sound along the way.
Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM–5:00 PM.
Admission: Adults ¥600, junior high school students ¥500, elementary school students ¥300.
6. Nijisseiki Pear Museum
This museum will teach you more about pears than you ever expected, with a wide variety of pear types on display in one place. One highlight is the seasonal pear tasting room. Outside, you can also get up close to real pear trees. If you like to shop, there's a local products area selling fresh Nijisseiki pears — a variety this area is famous for — along with sweet pear soft-serve ice cream and other pear-based snacks. There are also plenty of fun activities inside the museum that can keep you entertained for hours, especially if you bring kids along.
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Admission: Adults ¥300, junior high school students ¥150, children under 12 free.
7. Crab Auction at Sakai Minato Seafood Direct
This is a rare experience, as only a wholesale market of real size and organization can host one. The fish wholesale market in Sakaiminato, Tottori, is one of the few places in Japan where you can watch live seafood auctions (the market itself is branded "Sakai Minato Seafood Direct"). The highlight is the crab auction, since this area catches more crab than anywhere else in Japan. Auctions only run for a few months each year, roughly from late autumn through winter. If you visit during that season, you can enjoy fresh crab dishes and get up early to watch the auction at the wholesale market known as "Sakai Minato Seafood Direct." It's an impressive sight, with row upon row of crabs of many different species. Staff there offer guided tours to help visitors follow the auction and learn how to pick good crabs, though the guidance is given in Japanese only.
Hours: Open 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays).
8. Hanakairo Flower Park Illumination
This is one of Tottori's biggest illumination events, held in a flower park spanning about 50 hectares, decorated with over 1.4 million lights. It's ranked among the top illumination events in Japan. The size is no problem: the park is divided into 20 zones you can explore at your own pace, and a shuttle train loops around the grounds. As a flower park, the lights are also designed to blend seamlessly with the flowers.
Hours: During the illumination period (usually mid-November to mid-January), open daily from 5:30 PM–9:00 PM.
Admission: Adults ¥700, children ¥350.
9. Kurayoshi Shirakabe Old Town
Besides its natural scenery, Tottori also has old town districts that once thrived during the Edo period, such as the old town of Kurayoshi. It's full of genuine historical charm, with buildings that have been well preserved and retain their traditional character. Some shops here are over a hundred years old, offering plenty of chances to eat, shop, and find great photo spots as you stroll through, resting whenever you like.
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (some shops closed on Wednesdays).
10. Hakuto Shrine
Hakuto Shrine, also known as the "Rabbit Shrine of Love and Family," is a must-visit for anyone hoping their romantic wishes come true, as it's famous for blessings in love and childbirth. Its adorable mascot, a little rabbit, comes from a famous local legend and has become a symbol of love and fulfilled wishes here. You'll find rabbit-shaped statues, prayer plaques, and charms throughout the shrine, all both charming and steeped in tradition.
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
11. Cable Car with Views of Mount Daisen
If you want stunning aerial views and 360-degree scenery, take the cable car at Masumizu Kogen up the highland for views of the famous Mount Daisen. The panoramic view of Yumigahama Beach is spectacular, especially during autumn foliage season, living up to Mount Daisen's nickname as "Tottori's Mount Fuji." In winter, this highland area also becomes a ski resort.
Hours: Weekdays 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, weekends and holidays 9:30 AM–8:30 PM (closed in winter).
Fee: Adults ¥500 one-way / ¥700 round-trip, children (age 4 to elementary school) ¥400 one-way / ¥600 round-trip.
12. Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography
Photography and art lovers shouldn't miss this museum, which showcases many works by the internationally renowned Japanese photographer Shoji Ueda, with each room presenting them under a different stylish concept. What makes it even better is that the exhibition theme changes every year, so there's always something new no matter when you visit. Just as impressive as the exhibits is the striking building itself, designed by famous architect Shin Takamatsu, with far more meaning built into its design than a typical exhibition hall.
Hours: Open 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays).
Admission: Adults ¥900, high school and university students ¥500, junior high and elementary school students ¥300.
If this isn't enough, check out all the interesting attractions in Tottori as well.
And if you love food, don't miss 8 Must-Try Dishes in Tottori.