At 615 meters high, Mount Funagami combines a striking landscape with a useful landmark for planning a trip to Tohaku District. It lies southwest of Kotoura, forms the eastern main part of the Daisen volcanic area, and marks the northeastern end of a mountain range. Its summit is a flat, plateau-like lava surface. The mountain’s location, height, and summit shape give it a distinctive character.
Mount Funagami and Seasonal Nature Experiences
The Funagami Youth Nature House is located at the foot of Mount Funagami, within the wider travel area. The mountain is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides, and its landscape includes three waterfalls. Activities vary by season: in summer, visitors can hike, camp, and play in the river; in winter, they can snowshoe and go sledding. If you plan to take part in any of these seasonal activities, check the relevant conditions before your visit, as programs and safety requirements may change.
An Annual Event in Misasa
The traditional Jinsyo Tug-of-War takes place every year on May 4 at Misasa Onsen. For the event, two enormous ropes are twisted from kudzu vines: one is designated as the female rope and the other as the male rope. They are joined together and then pulled in opposite directions by two groups. This experience is markedly different from the natural surroundings of Mount Funagami: the focus here is a shared tradition held on a specific date each year.
May 4 is a clear date to plan around if the tug-of-war is the reason for your trip. If you are more interested in the seasonal activities at the Funagami Youth Nature House, plan around the summer and winter offerings instead. These different seasonal dates can help you decide what to focus on before looking for a hotel in Tohaku District.
More Travel Ideas in Tottori Prefecture
Beyond Tohaku District, Tottori Prefecture offers other nature and cultural attractions. Daisen-Oki National Park spans Tottori, Shimane, and Okayama prefectures. Buildings from before the early modern period remain on the former grounds of Daisenji. Stone walls, earthen ramparts, and the paths connecting them are also well preserved at the abandoned sites of subsidiary temples. These historic traces offer a different perspective from Mount Funagami’s volcanic landscape.
Kurayoshi is home to the Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum, the only museum in Japan dedicated to nashi pears. The pear also plays a seasonal role outside the museum: in Tottori Prefecture, visitors can pick Nijisseiki pears from late August to late September; the variety is a regional specialty. Large shijimi clams from Lake Tōgō are also a regional specialty in the wider travel area. They are called “black diamonds” because of their appearance and sheen.
At the Tottori Sand Dunes, even small children can take commemorative photos with camels; the animals are considered gentle and child-friendly. Sandboarding involves gliding down a sandy slope on a specially designed board; the activity is described as a recreational option in Tottori Sand Dunes National Park. At Mount Daisen, the summer hiking trail is designed as the main route for beginners. It is recommended for people climbing Mount Daisen for the first time, as well as children and inexperienced hikers.
Discover more destinations: Misasa, Saihaku District, Tohaku District.
For the full travel overview: Tottori Prefecture.
