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Beautiful contrast
between the long coastline and mountainous area - Japan's largest sand
dunes, Tottori-sakyu
Tottori Prefecture is situated in the northeastern part of the
Chugoku region(the southwestern end of Japan's main island). This
prefecture abounds with scenery that change expression from season to
season, formed by a long coastline that stretches from east to west,
narrow flatlands, and mountainous area represented by Mt. Daisen.
Seasons of fresh greenery in spring and tinted autumnal leaves in
autumn are breathtakingly beautiful. You can enjoy this scenery from
the windows of the train that runs on the San-in Honsen Line along the
coastline. Many ancient ruins from around 400 BC to 300 AD have been
found mainly in the flatlands, such as Umano-yama Tombs, telling us of
a long history of exchanges Tottori had with the Korean Peninsula and
China.
Noted scenic spots are Tottori-sakyu Sand Dunes, Japan's largest
(about 16 kilometers long and about 2.4 kilometers from north to
south); sand dunes formed by the deposit of volcanic ash on the
Sendai-gawa river blown roughly from the Sea of Japan; Hakuto Coast,
the site of Japanese myths about the "White Rabbit of Inaba"; and
Daisen-Oki National Park. Also of note are castle towns like Tottori
and Kurayoshi. Here, too, is Misasa-onsen Hot Spring historically
known as one of the leading spas in this region for its high radium
content. Skiing at Mt. Daisen in winter is another feature of Tottori.
Tottori hosts visitors in all seasons.
Getting there
An hour 10 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Tottori Airport.
Ten minutes from the airport to Tottori Station by bus. Two hours 30
minutes from Osaka Station to Tottori Station by the JR San-yo and
Inbi Line.
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Koyama-ike Pond
Lagoon separated from the sea by deposits from the Sendai-gawa
RiverClose to Hakuto Beach, the southern limit for natural growth of
sweetbriers
The Koyama-ike Pond is located 6 kilometers west of central
Tottori City in eastern Tottori and close to Tottori Airport. It was
an inlet of the Sea of Japan, but became a closed lagoon when
deposits from the Sendai-gawa River separated it from the sea. There
are seven islets in the pond, and the largest - Aoshima Islet - has
a park with a well-equipped promenade and a camping ground.
This pond is 4 kilometers long from east to west and 2.4 kilometers
wide from north to south. It is almost a lake and is a sanctuary for
eels, carp and other fresh water fishes. There still remains a
traditional fishing style called Ishigama-ryo, where fishermen form
a trap with large rocks and wait for the fishes to enter.
In the neighboring areas, there is Yoshioka-onsen Hot Spring that
dates back 1,000 years, as well as the Hakuto Beach, or "White
Rabbit Beach," the site for a popular episode in Japanese mythology.
This beach is also the southern limit for natural growth of
sweetbriers. Dainty crimson flowers bloom in early summer attracting
many tourists.
Getting there
An hour 10 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Tottori Airport.
Take a bus for 19 minutes from Tottori Airport to Tottori Station.
Take the JR Sanyo Honsen and Inbi Line for 2 hours 30 minutes from
Osaka Station to Tottori Station. Take a bus for 20 minutes from
Tottori Station to Yoshioka-onsen Hot Spring.
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Misasa
Open-air bath on the river beach with abundant rustic taste -
Nageire-do that stands in a hollow on a cliff
Misasa-onsen Hot Spring located at the center of Tottori is a
resort that has developed along the Misasa-gawa River in the
southeast of Kurayoshi. It has long been known as a representative
health resort and hot spring cure spot in the San-in region (the
Japan Sea Coast). Kawara-buro, the open-air bath on the river beach
near the bridge, is a symbol of Misasa-onsen Hot Spring Resort where
you can enjoy the atmosphere and life of rural scenes. The streets
of Misasa are dotted with mini-galleries in the corners offered by
inns and shops. Each of them has a different display theme and
expresses unique characteristics.
A morning market is held every Sunday. You can experience ceramic
making and weaving in the Furusato Kenko-mura in a park on the dry
riverbed. You may also have a chance to see a rare species of frog,
the kajika frog in summer.
In the neighboring areas, there is the Mitoku-san Sanbutsu-ji
Temple. As you climb the rugged mountain path which takes an hour,
you will see the Nageire-do, or "Thrown-in Temple" in a hollow
halfway up the precipice. Legend has it that an ascetic threw the
temple into the hollow from below. Even professional architects are
unable to determine the building method of this structure. Monju-do
and a bell tower with a fine view are located along the approach
way. You can also enjoy the local specialty, wild vegetables and
tofu (bean curd) dishes at the restaurants in front of the
Sanbutsu-ji Temple.
Getting there
An hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Tottori
Airport. Take a bus for 1 hour from Tottori Airport to Misasa-onsen
Hot Spring. From Kurayoshi Station, take a bus to Misasa-onsen Hot
Spring for 25 minutes.
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Mt. Daisen
Historically sacred, the highest peak in the Chugoku region - Enjoy
outdoor leisure in the highlands
Situated in the western part of Tottori, Mt. Daisen, chosen as
one of the best one hundred mountains in Japan, is the generic term
for a chain of mountains with Mt. Tsuru-ga-mine, 1,729 meters above
sea level, as its highest peak. It belongs to Daisen-Oki National
Park. It is the highest peak in the Chugoku region (the southwestern
end of Japan's main island) and has historically been regarded and
worshipped as a sacred mountain.
Severe cliffs stand out on the northern side of Mt. Daisen, but a
view from the direction of Yonago reveals the elegance of a mountain
also known as Hoki Fuji or Izumo Fuji. Daisen-ji Temple on the
mountain is an old temple established around the year 720 and
Reiho-kaku Treasure Hall, Amida-do, O-gami-yama and Okumiya carry
vestiges of holy ground. Towering cliffs on the eastern side of
Daisen-ji Temple Hondo (the main inner temple) are called Kin-mon,
the Golden Gate, and this is the best spot from which to see the
north wall of Daisen.
The view from Kagikake-toge Pass is splendid. You can enjoy a
panoramic view of virgin beech and oak forests that change colors
from spring green, dark summer green to glowing yellow in autumn. In
the vicinity is a selection of facilities that make the most of Mt.
Daisen's nature, such as a tourist blueberry farm, a dude farm where
you can barbeque, field athletic facility, and a horseback riding
center from which you can go for a long-distance ride into the
open-air. You can ski in the winter, too.
Getting there
An hour 20 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Yonago Airport.
Thirty minutes from Yonago Airport to Yonago Station by bus. Three
hours 15 minutes from Tokyo Station to Okayama Station by the JR
Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen Line. Forty minutes from Shin-Osaka
Station. Two hours 10 minutes from Okayama Station and Yonago
Station by JR Hakubi Line Limited Express. Fifty minutes from Yonago
Station by bus to Mt. Daisen.
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Tottori-sakyu Sand Dunes
Natural formation created by sands and winds over 100,000 years
Tottori-sakyu Sand Dunes are the largest sand hills in Japan
stretching from Mt. Shichi-yama in the east to Kitano-misaki Point
in the west. They are 16 kilometers long from east to west and 2.4
kilometers wide from north to south. Volcanic ash from Mt. Daisen
settled on the sand of the Sendai-gawa River, and the ocean winds
that blew from the rough Sea of Japan for 100,000 years formed the
dunes.
At times one can see 40-meter deep basins, 50-meter tall hills,
picturesque patterns formed by winds called wind ripples and sand
sliding on the surface of the hills like an avalanche. The
magnificent beauty is constantly changing and never stops. When you
reach the surf by lift, you can enjoy the spectacular boundless
sight of the sea and sand.
You can also enjoy a tour on a camel or in a horse-drawn carriage,
the rides in the Tottori Sakyu Kodomo-no-kuni amusement park, which
comprises the Dune Science Museum, or paragliding after you have
seen the views of the dune.
Getting there
An hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Tottori
Airport. Take a bus for 19 minutes from Tottori Airport to Tottori
Station. Take the JR Sanyo Honsen and Inbi Line for 2 hours and 30
minutes from Osaka Station to Tottori Station. Then take a bus for
20 minutes from Tottori Station to the Tottori-sakyu.
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Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
