Points of Interest & Landmarks in Tottori

THE 10 BEST Tottori Points of Interest & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks in Tottori

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  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travelers are saying

  • unescotravelbug
    Wooster, OH4,216 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    Written March 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Minstrel115
    Victoria, Canada385 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This ruin was once a mountain castle built on Kyushozan mountain (久松山) in 16th century,. It is a National Historic site. It was a stage of infamous 'Starving to Submission', siege by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who cut off all the supplies to the castle. Nice hike up to the mountain and beautiful sight from the top.
    Written November 5, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • olafoomes
    Amstelveen, The Netherlands1,671 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This large European style building is located at the bottom area of the Tottori Castle Ruins and is surrounded by two nice gardens. One in front with a long lawn towards the building and one in the back (called Horyu-in temple garden).
    The Jinpu-kaku building itself could really use a paint-job. It looked rather badly kept at least on the outside. The building was built in 1907 and, as I understood it, was the first building in Tottori with electric lights. Anyway this mansion, including the gardens, is worth a visit for sure. The entrance fee is just 150 Yen.
    Written September 2, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • UniversalTraversal
    Oakville, Canada833 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    You can learn a surprising amount about another culture (and your own) through toys. Here you can see countless toys from various eras of Japan, and play with a few of them (the kendama is quite challenging!). Seeing the old Power Rangers toys brought back old memories for me. The entry fee is very cheap (250 yen for tourists if you show your passport!)
    Written July 25, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • richard g
    Portland, OR794 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stopped to get some sashimi and found a little restaurant inside the market place. Had an assortment of sashimi and some hot sake and now we will sleep in the plane back to Tokyo! Cheap! 😁
    Written April 1, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Duc Tran
    18 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This airport added extra satisfaction to our Tottori trip. As Cona fans, my wife and I greatly enjoyed taking photos with the 3D pictures and collecting the stamps around the airports. We also found some really interesting souvenirs.
    Written January 2, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Veha S
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wind is the most powerful for making a great view. it like human made but the nature was done it as well as the architecture. slowly life and chill made people more happy here.
    Written February 14, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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