Tottori Prefecture
ADVENTURERS AND THE ANIME CROWD ALIKE ARE NOTICING THIS BUZZWORTHY DESTINATION.
In 2019, Tottori is finally getting well-deserved credit as an “adventure destination.” Major Tokyo-based travel agency H.I.S. now has a “self-drive” tour package there, and the Canada-based tour company, G Adventures, will include the great Tottori Sand Dunes for its 2019 Japan tour.
Despite being one of the least-visited prefectures from overseas tourists, according to stats from the Japan National Tourism Organization, Tottori is showing up in 2019 as a dose of homegrown intrigue outside the Golden Route.
That’s partially propelled thanks to an increased online presence in English, but also to a little taste of fame. In late 2018, an American late-night talk show host featured Tottori’s Manga-themed “Conan Town” on his showand even filmed there. Tottori also gained extra fame when it produced the world’s most expensive crab to date — around $17,000 — which should be all the commentary you need to get how amazing its seafood, particularly the snow crab, is.
That attention might have been short-lived, but proves Tottori’s strong local food and pop culture as a great addition to its exceptional nature. Including… one-of-a-kind adrenaline rushes like scaling boulders on the mountain pilgrimage to Nageire-do, Japan’s “most dangerous national treasure”; fat tire biking, paragliding and sand boarding on Japan’s largest sand dunes; kayaking through rock formations along the San’in Coast geoparks and killer snowboarding on Mount Daisen, one of Japan’s Top 100 mountains.
Conversely, if you just want to experience the cozy countryside, move east of Tottori City for picture-perfect mountains scenes at Wakasa and dine on traditional mountain veggies prepared at a Michelin-Guide level at one of Japan’s most naturally stunning restaurants, Mitakien.
Don’t miss: The first weekend of June, Mount Daisen becomes the stage for a stunning torchlight parade at the Natsuyama Summer Opening festival. Get awesomely nerdy at the Tottori Manga Kingdom as well as the Kurayoshi Figure Museum, located in a historic and quirky backdrop of Kurayoshi.
When to go: The ascent to Nageire-do is often too wet/slippery from December to March. A hike and sand dune visit is recommended in early November for cool temps. Snow sports typically from late November to late April.
🚇From Tokyo, a 5 ½ hour ride on the Tokaido-Sanyo bullet train and Super Hakuto express train, changing at Himeji station. ✈️From Tokyo, about 1- hour-and-10-minute flight to Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport or the Yonago Kitaro Airport.