Sights and landmarks in Tottori

Sights and landmarks 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

   Genchū-ji

   玄忠寺

   This temple is the site of the grave of Araki Mataemon, a legendary swordsman. In a famous story, he came to the aid of a man who was seeking in vengeance; the actual sword he used is displayed on the temple grounds. Rakan (paintings of high ranking Buddhists) are painted on the fusuma (screen doors) inside the temple by Keitaro Takagi. While traditional priest paintings are stoic, these paintings are quite candid, with rather comical appearances.

   Closed · opens 9 am·¥300

3. See

   Hakuto Shrine

   白兎神社, hakuto-jinja

   Hakuto Shrine is the shrine of the Inaba rabbit. The rabbit is said to have washed itself in the shrine's pond.

4. 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

5. See

   Jinpukaku Mansion

   仁風閣

   This French-style mansion was home to the remnants of the Edo-era feudal clan, Ikeda.

   Tue-Sun·¥150

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 anytime·Free

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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).