Tottori Prefecture offers a variety of reasons to visit: the Tottori Sand Dunes, the summer hiking trail on Daisen, the preserved structures on the former Daisenji site, and Nijisseiki pears. Daisen-Oki National Park extends across Tottori, Shimane, and Okayama prefectures. Bus journeys, hiking trails, and harvest season offer concrete points of reference for narrowing down your trip’s theme and timing.
Tottori Sand Dunes: Getting There and Activities
From the bus stop at Tottori Station, it takes about 20 minutes by bus to reach the Tottori Sand Dunes. You can get off at either the Tottori Sand Dunes stop or Sakyu Kaikan. The approximate travel time is a useful guide; check the latest timetable before you set off.
Even young children can take memorable photos with camels at the Tottori Sand Dunes; the animals are considered gentle and child-friendly. Sandboarding is another recreational option at Tottori Sand Dunes National Park: ride a special board down a sandy slope. This gives you a choice between two different activities: a keepsake photo with camels and a descent down the slope.
Hiking, Cultural Heritage, and Ski Areas
The summer hiking trail on Daisen is designed as the main route for beginners. It is recommended for people climbing Daisen for the first time, as well as children and inexperienced hikers. The seasonal information varies in specificity: summer is given for the trail, while a narrower, explicitly dated period is specified for the Nijisseiki harvest.
Buildings dating from before the early modern period remain on the former Daisenji site. Stone walls, earthworks, and the paths connecting them are also well preserved at the abandoned sites of subsidiary temples. The paths themselves are part of what has been preserved: the historic remains include not only buildings but also connections between the former subsidiary temple sites.
There are several ski areas around Daisen, with slopes for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. Some also offer sea views, night skiing, and accommodation and dining options. The slopes thus range from beginner to advanced level, while the summer hiking trail is designed as the main route for beginners.
Nijisseiki: Museum and Harvest Season
The Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum in Kurayoshi is the only museum in Japan dedicated to Nashi pears. In Tottori Prefecture, you can pick Nijisseiki pears from late August to late September; they are a local specialty. This offers two different ways to experience the pear: seeing it showcased at the museum and harvesting it seasonally in the prefecture. This distinction is useful when choosing your travel dates: picking is limited to the specified period.
Consider whether getting to the dunes or the harvest dates will have a greater influence on your stay.
Discover more destinations: Tottori, Yonago, Kurayoshi, Tohaku District, Saihaku District, Tohaku District, Sakaiminato, Iwami
For the main travel overview: Japan.
