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Free things to do in Tottori

7 places in Tottori with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Free things to do in Tottori

  1. See

    Aoya Kamijichi Site Museum

    青谷上寺地遺跡展示館 aoya kamijichi iseki tenjikan

    One of Japan's most famous archaeological sites. Thousands of Yayoi Period relics were excavated here, including human remains, and even tissue from 3 brains (out of only 6 in the world). The artifacts indicate that the settlement here was involved in trade with much of Western Japan, Korea, and even China.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)Free

  2. See

    Kawahara Castle

    河原城, Kawahara-jō

    About 12 km south of central Tottori, near where the Hatto River joins the Sendai River, the castle offers a spectacular view. It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi stopped here and dreamed about a peaceful, united Japan prior to uniting the nation himself. The current observation tower (based on Inuyama Castle in Aichi Prefecture) was opened in 1994, and houses a modest museum.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (Apr-Sep: Sat to 21:00)Free

  3. See

    Ochidani Shrine

    樗谿神社

    Built in 1650 by Mitsunaka Ikeda, the first lord of Tottori. The god worshipped here is the same worshipped at Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. It's a popular place to watch fireflies at night in the late summer.

    Free

  4. See

    Shikano Castle Ruins

    鹿野城, shikano-jō

    Although none of the original castle remains, the inner and outer moats and stone columns can still be seen. It's most popular during cherry blossom season with approximately 500 trees scattered throughout the castle grounds.

    Enter anytimeFree

  5. See

    Tottori Castle Ruins

    鳥取城

    Built in 1545, Tottori Castle was destroyed in a massive siege in the 19th century, and only the foundations remain. The surrounding park is the perfect place to go during cherry-blossom season. The site offers a nice view of the city below from the lower reaches of Mt. Kyusho, or you can climb to the top for a view of the whole valley. Some locals say that the mountaintop is haunted by ghosts of people who were forced to resort to cannibalism during the siege of the castle.

    24 hrFree

  6. See

    Tottori Sand Dunes

    鳥取砂丘 Tottori sakyū

    16 km from east to west, the Tottori Sand Dunes are a favorite target for climbing, exploring, and more. The main portion of the dunes are much smaller than 16km (about 2 km, east to west), but they can still be impressive. If you arrive very early in the morning, you can see the unique patterns carved by the wind before they get trampled by the scores of people who come to climb the biggest dune. If you'd prefer not to get sand in your shoes, a cable car ride (¥200 one way) leads to the Dune Observatory Center. After heavy rains, the oasis below the uma no se (the largest dune) forms into a beautiful lake. The ¥300 loop bus is the cheapest way of getting to the dunes from Tottori Station; the local bus will cost ¥380, or ¥330 if you stop at "kodomo no kuni" stop, where you can walk right away on the dunes from the west side. For other activities that can be enjoyed at the sand dunes, see the "Do" section.

    24 hr; special activities typically begin at 09:00Free

  7. See

    Ube Shrine

    宇倍神社, ube-jinja

    The first shrine to be built in the Inaba area, which consists of the entire eastern half of modern Tottori Prefecture. Praying at this shrine is believed to bestow fertility, long life, and wealth.

    Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tottori (CC BY-SA 4.0).