Tottori Travel Guide: Sights, Food & When to Go

Tottori (鳥取県) is a prefecture in the Chugoku region of Japan. Its capital is Tottori; it has a population of about 0.5 million and an area of 3,507 km². Tottori is home to Japan's largest coastal sand dunes.

Tottori is Japan's least populous prefecture, best known for the Tottori Sand Dunes, an unusual coastal desert landscape formed over thousands of years by sediment from the Sea of Japan, and for Mount Daisen, the Chugoku region's highest peak and an important site for shrine pilgrimage and hiking. Sakaiminato, the hometown of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, celebrates his yokai folklore creatures along a themed shopping street. The prefecture is one of Japan's top producers of pears and is especially famous for matsuba crab, harvested from the Sea of Japan in winter. Tottori's quiet, rural character and relative lack of large cities give it one of the slowest paces of life in Japan.

Key facts

Japanese name鳥取県
RegionChugoku
CapitalTottori
Population~0.5M
Area3,507 km²
How it ranks41st of 47 by area, 47th by population, about 143 people per km² (38th densest)
Known forSand dunes, Crab, Manga, Coast
Best forNature lovers, Families, Road trips
Suggested stay1–2 days
Where to stayTottori city or Yonago
Best time to visitSpring and autumn are comfortable; summer is best for the coast and winter for crab.
Cherry blossomsearly April in a typical year
Autumn leavesearly November to mid November in a typical year

Why go to Tottori

  1. Japan's largest sand dunes
  2. Crab, pears and quiet coastline
  3. Mount Daisen, sacred and beautiful

When to go

Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is best for the coast and winter for crab.

What to see in Tottori

1. Tottori Sand Dunes

An unusual coastal desert landscape formed over thousands of years.

Iconic · Time needed: 2 h · Tip: Camel rides and sandboarding

2. Uradome Coast

A rugged, cliff-lined coastline explored by sightseeing boats.

Hidden gem · Time needed: 2 h · Tip: Glass-bottom boats

3. Mount Daisen

The Chugoku region's highest peak, important for hiking and shrine pilgrimage.

Local favourite · Time needed: Full day · Tip: Autumn foliage

4. Mizuki Shigeru Road

A themed shopping street celebrating manga artist Shigeru Mizuki's yokai creatures.

Local favourite · Time needed: 2 h · Tip: 177 yokai statues

5. Misasa Onsen

A hot-spring town known for naturally occurring radium-rich waters.

Hidden gem · Time needed: Overnight · Tip: Radium waters

6. Kurayoshi old town

A well-preserved townscape of white-walled storehouses along a canal.

Hidden gem · Time needed: 1–2 h · Tip: White walls and red roofs

What to eat

Matsuba crab, pears and local wagyu are major specialties. Manga culture is strongly associated with Sakaiminato.

  • Matsuba crab: Snow crab, November–March
  • Pears: Twentieth-century pears in late summer
  • Gyukotsu ramen: Ramen in beef-bone broth
  • Daisen chicken: Local free-range chicken

Souvenirs (omiyage): Pear sweets, Mizuki yokai goods

Sample itinerary

  1. Day 1: Sand dunes and Sand Museum, Uradome coast

Getting there and around

From Tokyo1h15 flight Haneda → Tottori
From Osaka2h30 Super Hakuto
By airTottori Airport → city: 20 min

Tottori and Yonago airports provide access; rail connects the main cities, while a car helps for rural sites.

Key cities and areas: T, o, t, t, o, r, i, , ·, , K, u, r, a, y, o, s, h, i, , ·, , Y, o, n, a, g, o, , ·, , S, a, k, a, i, m, i, n, a, t, o

Travel times are approximate fastest options; always check current timetables.

Nature and landscape

Japan's largest coastal dunes, Mount Daisen and the Sea of Japan dominate the scenery.

Practical tips

  • The Sand Museum changes theme every year
  • The coast is best by car
  • Crab season is the gourmet highlight

Combine with nearby prefectures

  • Okayama (98 km): Kurashiki's canal district
  • Shimane (108 km): Izumo Taisha, the shrine of the gods
  • Hyogo (125 km): Himeji Castle, Japan's most beautiful original castle
  • Hiroshima (203 km): Miyajima's floating torii

See a route: Tottori → Okayama → Shimane · Explore all 47 prefectures on the map

Frequently asked questions

Is Tottori worth visiting?

Yes — especially for nature lovers, families, road trips. Japan's largest sand dunes. Crab, pears and quiet coastline. Mount Daisen, sacred and beautiful.

How many days do you need in Tottori?

Plan 1–2 days. A good base is Tottori city or Yonago.

How do you get to Tottori from Tokyo?

1h15 flight Haneda → Tottori. From Osaka: 2h30 Super Hakuto. Times are approximate: check current timetables.

When is the best time to visit Tottori?

Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is best for the coast and winter for crab.

What food is Tottori famous for?

Matsuba crab, Pears, Gyukotsu ramen, Daisen chicken. Popular souvenirs: Pear sweets, Mizuki yokai goods.

Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Japan47.org, by Francesco Consalvo. Facts and travel times are approximate and can change.

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