Parks and the outdoors in Tottori

Parks and the outdoors in Tottori

1. Do

   Hakuto Beach

   白兎

   Famous for its association with the White Rabbit of Inaba; in fact, the name of the beach means "white rabbit". This beach was the rabbit's destination after his shark-hop.

2. Do

   Idegahama Beach

   井手ヶ浜

   So nice the sand will sing to you (narisuna). The sand at Idegahama is made of silica, and when you walk on it, it makes a pleasant sound. The sand at Idegahama was even worshipped long ago because of the melodies that rang from the sand. To hear the sand at its best, come when it is hot.

3. See

   Kannon-in

   観音院

   Constructed in 1632, this is the 32nd temple along the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage. While the temple does not look particularly special, the garden inside is what makes this such a great place to visit. The temple doors are removed upon entering so that you can sit and enjoy the beautiful pond garden from inside. The garden is quite peaceful, as the only sounds you can hear are the birds in the trees. It's easy to forget you're in a city.

   Closed · opens 8:30 am·Entry with tea ¥600, without tea ¥300

4. 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

5. Buy

   Maruyu Department Store

   丸由百貨店

   Formerly known as Daimaru. Five story department store just east of the station. Aside from the usual fashion, there's a food court in the basement and a rooftop family beer garden in the summer, with a tent for the rainy season.

   Closed · opens 10 am

6. 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

7. Do

   Natsudomari Beach

   For more than 400 years, these waters have been worked by female divers with their own special method of fish-catching. If you are lucky, you may even see them today.

8. 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 hr·Free

9. 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 09:00·Free

10. Do

    Uradome Beach

    Designated as a national park, the coast just east of the sand dunes is rugged and magnificent.

11. Buy

    ÆON Mall Tottori Kita

    イオンモール鳥取北

    West of the river, near the coast, sits this shopping area anchored by a large Aeon store, with some restaurants and specialty shops around as well. Buses run from JR Tottori Station (about 40 minutes).

    Opens at 09:00-17 and closes in stages between 22:00 and 23:00

12. See

    Saji Astro Park

    さじアストロパーク

    Houses a planetarium and the largest telescope in Japan.

    Closed · opens 9 am·¥300 adults, ¥200 junior high students and younger

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