Tottori

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.

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.

Kyoto Air Sports

All-day hang gliding lessons suitable for beginners. Reservations required.

Courses are offered daily from April through November·¥11,000

Mt. Kyusho

久松山, Kyūshō-zan

Starting from the castle ruins, climbing takes around half an hour and offers a great view of the city and surrounding area, all the way out to the sand dunes. But watch out for the ghosts of those who starved at the top during the castle siege.

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.

Rakudaya

らくだや

Anyone who knows anything about sand dunes knows that they're meant to be traveled atop a camel. You'll find the camels by the main entrance in front of the lift. The actual riding time is quite brief. You may want to watch other riders make the 10-minute circuit before paying for a ride.

Closed · opens 9 am·Single rider ¥1800, double ¥3000, picture ¥500, includes dune entrance

Tottori Sakyu Sandboard School

鳥取砂丘サンドボードスクール

This is by far the best place in Japan to experience sandboarding. Each course lasts 2 hours, reservations required. There must also be at least 10 people signed up for that day, or the course will be cancelled.

Thu, Apr 15 to Nov 30·¥2,500 per course

Uradome Beach

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

Zero Paraglider School

ゼロパラグライダースクール

Half-day paragliding courses suitable for beginners, operated by professionals. If you've never tried paragliding, these sandy surfaces are a good place to start. Reservations required.

Daily from late Mar to Nov·¥6500 for each half-day course

Kirin Lion Dance

A traditional lion dance held at Ube Shrine, dedicated to the shrine's patron deities.

April

Shan-Shan Festival

しゃんしゃん祭

More than 4,000 people participate in the parades of the "Inaba Umbrella Dance", using ornate umbrellas covered in bells and colorful strips of paper. Snap a photo of the over-sized one hanging year-round in the train station, as it is a symbol of this area.

Mid-August

Tottori Sand Dune Illuminations

At the end of each year, the sand dunes are lit up at night, and on New Years Eve, there is a countdown to the New Year.

December

Tottori Hot Spring

鳥取温泉 Tottori onsen

Yoshioka Hot Spring

吉岡温泉 Yoshioka onsen