Museums and galleries in Tottori

Museums and galleries 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

   Inaba Man-yō History Pavilion

   因幡万葉歴史館

   Located in Kokufu-cho, this museum houses many Inaba-area artifacts from the Nara and Heian eras.

   Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)·Adults ¥300, free for seniors, high school students, and children

3. 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

4. See

   Nagashibina Doll Museum

   流しびなの館, Nagashibina-no-yakata

   Displays hina dolls (for girls) throughout history, mostly from the Edo-period. The museum is named after the 'doll floating' which takes place every spring on the Sendai River outside as part of Hina-matsuri (but using the old lunisolar calendar, so not March 3).

   Thu-Tue 09:00-17:00·Adults ¥300, free for junior high school students and children

5. See

   Tottori City History Museum

   やまびこ館

   Interactive multimedia and digital displays about the city's history and culture. It's about 15 minutes on the red bus from JR Tottori Station.

   Closed · opens 9 am·¥500 adults, high school and under free

6. See

   Tottori Mingei Museum of Folkcrafts

   鳥取民藝美術舘 tottori mingei bijutsukan

   Despite the name, this small, two story museum displays mainly pottery and glass, but also has some textiles, woodwork, and bamboo work. The Ushinotoyaki pottery is the highlight of the collection. Just outside the museum, there is a place (the hexagonal structure) to pray for and make offerings to deceased orphans. With the stained-glass, it has an interesting Christian-Buddhist fusion feel.

   Thu-Tue 10:00-17:00·¥500 adults, free for students and elderly

7. See

   Tottori Prefectural Museum

   鳥取県立博物館, tottori-kenritsu hakubutsukan

   A two-story museum that displays the flora and fauna of Tottori, regional rocks and minerals, historical artifacts, festival and local cultural artifacts, and a variety of art produced in the city. (Most of the prehistoric artifacts are reproductions; most of the other displays are real, though.) Some of the standouts are the largest preserved squid in Japan and a live giant salamander.

   Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00·¥180 adults, college students and under free

8. See

   Warabekan (Children's Museum)

   わらべ館

   This museum features a re-creation of an old school building and many interesting tin toys.

   09:00-17:00, closed 3rd Wed each month·Adults ¥500, high school students and younger free

9. See

   Watanabe Museum

   渡辺美術館, Watanabe Bijutsukan

   Opened in 1978 by the late Hajime Watanabe, a local doctor who began his collection when he was working in Taiwan in the 1940s. This museum houses a wild display of samurai armor and artifacts, as well as a selection of other things such as musical instruments and ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

   Mon & Wed-Fri 10:00-15:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00·¥900 adults, ¥500 high school and college students, ¥300 younger

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