The Sand Museum
The Sand Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Sand Museum in Tottori Sand Dunes is the only indoor museum exhibited sand sculpture specially. We exhibit the highest quality sand sculptures every year by the executive producer and the professional sculptor from all over the world.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
329 within 5 kms
Attractions
107 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
652 reviews
Excellent
330
Very good
265
Average
50
Poor
5
Terrible
2
unescotravelbug
Wooster, OH4,216 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
After three years of Covid threats and restrictions to travels we finally regained our courage to take a trip abroad. We returned to Japan in November 2023, and it’s my 10th trip to the country that I fall in love with. It has been three years since our last visit in August 2019. Our first sightseeing was set to be at Tottori’s famous sand dunes. But two non- stop cold and rainy days ruined our plan. On the flip side, the rainy weather gave us an opportunity to explore the Sand Museum for the first time, and it was worth every minute of my visit there. Not only had I witnessed the best sand sculpture museum in Japan but also the only sand museum in the world. It is a once in-a-lifetime experience that is not to be missed, since all sculptured pieces in this museum are temporary and non-permanent art. Visitors can only see “Travel around the World in Sand” exhibition specifically designed for the chosen country or a region of the world during the annual opening season. After the exhibition period is over (usually soon after the New Year holiday,) all the sand sculptures return to sand and Museum is closed for the preparation of next exhibition in April.
Tottori’s phenomenal sand dunes gave the birth of the Tottori Sand Museum nearby. With the aspiration and guidance of renowned sand sculptor Katsuhiko Chaen, it was first opened on November 18, 2006, as an open-air exhibition. Italian Renaissance was the chosen theme. The annual exhibition was held outdoor under a huge tent till 2011 when a temporarily built indoor structure was established. A year later the indoor site was made into a permanent exhibition hall. During the winter closing months, a group of world class sand sculptors would be invited to participate in a chosen project for the upcoming exhibition which is usually scheduled to open in the April month, with exceptions of 2020’s and 2022’s. Sculptors used the sand supplies from the nearby sand dunes. They applied modern-day material science techniques, their artistic talents, and countless hours of manual work to create a “Traveling around the World in Sand.” theme. Exhibition highlights importance of history, culture, music, arts, architecture, innovations, the iconic landmarks, well-known politicians, dignitaries, and civil movement figures. On the upper level, along the viewing balcony, there are large posters depicting themes of the past sand sculptures. There are a few outdoor sculptures also on displays.
Began in November 2006, the first ever sand sculpture exhibition "Italy / Renaissance"
brought into focus on Italy’s Renaissance artists’ masterpieces; followed by the UNESCO world heritage sites in Asia; different regions of Asia, Austria, Africa. The indoor exhibition began in 2012. The 5th exhibition “Traveling around the World in Sand –The United Kingdom” became the highlight of Tottori’s major attractions. It followed by South East Asia, Russia, Germany, South America, the United States, Nordic countries, South Asia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and most recent the 14th exhibition in Egypt, presented to the public from 7/30/2022 to 1/3/2024.
The chosen theme changes every exhibition year. It’s is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the real deal of the sand sculptures in one location. When we visited The Sand Museum in November, the theme was “Traveling around the World in Sand-Egypt”. A few worthy mentioned were the sculpture figures of King Tutankhamun, Cleopatra, life of common Egyptians, discovery of Rosetta Stone, iconic landmarks of Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza. The Tottori Sand Museum exhibitions offer visitors, far and near, a window to the world and up-close personal experiences without need of setting foot on a foreign land.
The Sand Museum’s opening date in 2024 is April 19 through January 5, 2025. The 15th exhibition theme is “France”.
To get there from JR Tottori Station North Exit:
Option 1- Kirin Shishi Sightseeing Loop (a counter-clock loop) Bus
This sightseeing loop bus runs on weekend only: Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays during July and August.
Get on the Tottori Bus Terminal Boarding Area 0, located outside of the JR Station North Exit, about 150 meters to the left. Fare is 300 yens per ride or 600 yens for the day ticket. This bus makes stops at Tottori’s major sightseeing sites. Get on the back of the bus and retrieve a boarding paper from the machine by the back door entry; get off at the front. Check the fare display board above the ticket fare machine, match the number on your paper slip to find the fares you owe; pay your fares directly to the automated ticket fare box, or use prepaid IC card. You can buy day ticket directly from the driver. Get off the 6th stop Sand Museum and cross the road to the Museum site. Return to the JR Station; get on the bus stop #8, located in the front of the Sand Museum.
Option 2-Tottori City Local Bus Sakyu Sen , Line no. 39; operated by Hinomaru Co., and Nihon Kotsu Co. Runs daily, direction Sakyu Kaikan. Fare per ride 380 yens. Get on the Tottori Bus Terminal Boarding Area 0, located outside of the JR Station North Exit, about 150 meters to the left. Get on the back of the bus and retrieve a boarding paper from the machine next to the back door entry; get off at the front, Check the fare display board above the ticket fare machine, match the number on your paper slip to find the fares you owe; pay your fares directly to the automated ticket box, or use prepaid IC card. or use prepaid IC card. Get off at Sakyu Center Tenbodai. Follow the direction to the Sand Museum, about 6 min. walk.
Tottori’s phenomenal sand dunes gave the birth of the Tottori Sand Museum nearby. With the aspiration and guidance of renowned sand sculptor Katsuhiko Chaen, it was first opened on November 18, 2006, as an open-air exhibition. Italian Renaissance was the chosen theme. The annual exhibition was held outdoor under a huge tent till 2011 when a temporarily built indoor structure was established. A year later the indoor site was made into a permanent exhibition hall. During the winter closing months, a group of world class sand sculptors would be invited to participate in a chosen project for the upcoming exhibition which is usually scheduled to open in the April month, with exceptions of 2020’s and 2022’s. Sculptors used the sand supplies from the nearby sand dunes. They applied modern-day material science techniques, their artistic talents, and countless hours of manual work to create a “Traveling around the World in Sand.” theme. Exhibition highlights importance of history, culture, music, arts, architecture, innovations, the iconic landmarks, well-known politicians, dignitaries, and civil movement figures. On the upper level, along the viewing balcony, there are large posters depicting themes of the past sand sculptures. There are a few outdoor sculptures also on displays.
Began in November 2006, the first ever sand sculpture exhibition "Italy / Renaissance"
brought into focus on Italy’s Renaissance artists’ masterpieces; followed by the UNESCO world heritage sites in Asia; different regions of Asia, Austria, Africa. The indoor exhibition began in 2012. The 5th exhibition “Traveling around the World in Sand –The United Kingdom” became the highlight of Tottori’s major attractions. It followed by South East Asia, Russia, Germany, South America, the United States, Nordic countries, South Asia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and most recent the 14th exhibition in Egypt, presented to the public from 7/30/2022 to 1/3/2024.
The chosen theme changes every exhibition year. It’s is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the real deal of the sand sculptures in one location. When we visited The Sand Museum in November, the theme was “Traveling around the World in Sand-Egypt”. A few worthy mentioned were the sculpture figures of King Tutankhamun, Cleopatra, life of common Egyptians, discovery of Rosetta Stone, iconic landmarks of Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza. The Tottori Sand Museum exhibitions offer visitors, far and near, a window to the world and up-close personal experiences without need of setting foot on a foreign land.
The Sand Museum’s opening date in 2024 is April 19 through January 5, 2025. The 15th exhibition theme is “France”.
To get there from JR Tottori Station North Exit:
Option 1- Kirin Shishi Sightseeing Loop (a counter-clock loop) Bus
This sightseeing loop bus runs on weekend only: Saturday, Sunday and National Holidays during July and August.
Get on the Tottori Bus Terminal Boarding Area 0, located outside of the JR Station North Exit, about 150 meters to the left. Fare is 300 yens per ride or 600 yens for the day ticket. This bus makes stops at Tottori’s major sightseeing sites. Get on the back of the bus and retrieve a boarding paper from the machine by the back door entry; get off at the front. Check the fare display board above the ticket fare machine, match the number on your paper slip to find the fares you owe; pay your fares directly to the automated ticket fare box, or use prepaid IC card. You can buy day ticket directly from the driver. Get off the 6th stop Sand Museum and cross the road to the Museum site. Return to the JR Station; get on the bus stop #8, located in the front of the Sand Museum.
Option 2-Tottori City Local Bus Sakyu Sen , Line no. 39; operated by Hinomaru Co., and Nihon Kotsu Co. Runs daily, direction Sakyu Kaikan. Fare per ride 380 yens. Get on the Tottori Bus Terminal Boarding Area 0, located outside of the JR Station North Exit, about 150 meters to the left. Get on the back of the bus and retrieve a boarding paper from the machine next to the back door entry; get off at the front, Check the fare display board above the ticket fare machine, match the number on your paper slip to find the fares you owe; pay your fares directly to the automated ticket box, or use prepaid IC card. or use prepaid IC card. Get off at Sakyu Center Tenbodai. Follow the direction to the Sand Museum, about 6 min. walk.
Written March 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
828TJA
Everett, WA369 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
The first thing to know is to buy your ticket from the traveler information center just inside the train station's main front door. You will save 200 yen compared to buying it at the museum. Then to the left outside the main front door take the bus at Bus Port Zero. Really! Bus Port Zero. Get on at the back of the bus, push the button on the machine to receive the ticket that is marked for the place you got on, then when you leave the driver will tell you how much to pay. In October 2023 it was 380 yen. Ride the bus to the end of the line on the lower level of the dunes area. There is no reason to get off at the upper level unless you love gift shops and restaurants, or want to take the chair lift down to the dunes. To the left of the chair life is an upper entrance to the sand museum after walking down a long path.
The museum is indeed worth seeing. Amazing how they packed the sand so tightly together that they can carve it without using adhesives. That means that at the end of each yearly display they simply crush the sand apart and use it for the next year. The theme is different every year.
The museum is indeed worth seeing. Amazing how they packed the sand so tightly together that they can carve it without using adhesives. That means that at the end of each yearly display they simply crush the sand apart and use it for the next year. The theme is different every year.
Written November 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PH983
Singapore241 contributions
Jun 2023
It is basically an art museum using sand :) it's very amazing if you do look into the details the artist put in each art pieces. I went in June and it was Egyptian theme. It's also scotching hot out there in the sand dunes and it's nice and cool in enjoying the air con in there. It's definitely a must see if you are in the area !! Other than the indoor display, there were 2-3 other display outdoor. There was even a small little one - squirrel looking animal (which one could easily missed) It seems that they change the pieces every year or so. Next time it could be different theme. Nevertheless, the art pieces are not to miss.
Written July 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Florent H
North Sulawesi, Indonesia116 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
The sand museum is near the dunes (5 minutes walking distance).
It's worth going there as a complementary activity after/before the dunes.
The fare is 800¥ but you can have it cheaper (680¥) if you buy it at Tottori train station.
2023 exhibition's theme is antique Egypt.
A good way to spend an hour or so.
It's worth going there as a complementary activity after/before the dunes.
The fare is 800¥ but you can have it cheaper (680¥) if you buy it at Tottori train station.
2023 exhibition's theme is antique Egypt.
A good way to spend an hour or so.
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJP
79 contributions
Nov 2022
Walking distance from the sand dune, this is a place to admire the work of artists from all over the world. If you start from Tottori station, you may be able to get a discounted ticket from the tourist information counter there.
In this place, you either get very excited or very bored, depending on your interests. If you love art, then you will spend a lot of time taking beautiful photographs of the life-like sand sculptures.
In this place, you either get very excited or very bored, depending on your interests. If you love art, then you will spend a lot of time taking beautiful photographs of the life-like sand sculptures.
Written December 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cierrann
Seattle, WA41 contributions
Dec 2019
This was definitely something new for me! Right next to the sand dunes, this museum puts up a new display every year. We were lucky enough to see the 2019 one, right after it opened. The sculptures are incredible. Just thinking about carving in sand, sent shivers of anxiety up and down my back. They have explanations, and the final product was mind blowing. Even more amazing (to the US mind), was the lack of barriers around the sand. I thought it was a mistake, but my guide said no. Japanese don't touch. There was a little sadness there, for me. As the Japanese welcome so many tourists, things are going to change. I found the Japanese like to have some things untouchable and unknowable - while my upbringing made me really want to touch one of those sculptures! (I didn't, of course.) The sculptures themselves are planned and done by an international team, which was also pretty cool.
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pollyoppy
Ormskirk, UK1,262 contributions
Sep 2019
We've never been anywhere else like it. Enormous and perfect sand sculptures like nowhere else. Reasonable entry price too.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
がい๑
Hiroshima, Japan57 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
It is interesting. The day I went is the last day when the museum is open. So lucky!
The sculptors are from different countries,one of them is Chinese,and I'm proud of him and his sculpture.
The sculptors are from different countries,one of them is Chinese,and I'm proud of him and his sculpture.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hathu
Hiroshima, Japan13 contributions
Dec 2019
I am completely an outsider when it comes to museums, but this sand museum made my day in Tottori. The sculptures were so beautiful and so are the stories behind them. I love every single minute spent at this place. Strongly recommended!
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duc Tran
18 contributions
Dec 2019
My main purpose in visiting Tottori was to see the well-known sand dune, but this museum turns out to be another big WOW. The beauty and exhaustiveness of the sculptures simply blew my mind. I also learned a lot about the histories behind those sculptures. This time it was about religion in South Asia, but the theme changes regularly, which is another plus. Highly recommended!!
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is it still open?? i plan to visit on nov things year
William S
Kobe, Japan1,289 contributions
The Sand Museum is a permanent structure while the exhibits (sculptures) are changed periodically. Yes, it should be open. There are often outdoor exhibits are well.
滞在時間は平均どれくらいですか?
sei-hit
98 contributions
屋内で1時間程度、屋外で30分程度で、買い物・休憩含めて2時間程度でした。
Onde fica as esculturas? Paga para entrar? Qual valor??
tottori sand done is westan honsyu japan. chugoku area in tottoriken. this house is 600yen.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingTHE SAND MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sand Museum
- The Sand Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near The Sand Museum:
- (4.98 km) Tottori Green Hotel Morris
- (1.08 km) Guest House Hamadaen
- (5.28 km) Kansuitei Kozeniya
- (2.29 km) New Sakyusou
- (5.12 km) Hotel Monarque Tottori
- Restaurants near The Sand Museum:
- (0.16 km) Murakami Seafoodtorttori Great Sand Dunes
- (0.20 km) Sakyu Center Miharashi no Oka
- (0.29 km) Taiki Seafood Bowl Tottori
- (0.25 km) Sakyu Union
- (0.25 km) Totto PURIN
- Attractions near The Sand Museum:
- (0.04 km) Shiawase no Kane
- (0.04 km) The Sand Museum Baiten
- (0.04 km) Poke Lid Tottori Prefecture / Tottori City
- (0.19 km) Sakyu Center
- (0.20 km) Lift, Sakyu Center