Tottori attractions: dunes, sand museum or yokai street?
Choose the dunes for a sandy walk with sea views or the nearby museum for indoor sand sculptures. For old streets and park walks, choose central Kurayoshi. Give western Sakaiminato a day for Mizuki's work and yokai sculptures, and visit Yonago Castle Ruins separately. Allow JR and city bus journeys when moving between the three areas.
Choose attractions beyond the itineraries
Tottori Sand Dunes
鳥取砂丘
Walk outdoors with views of the sand dunes and sea. There is little shade; carry water and shorten midday walks. In strong wind, staying near the entrance is an alternative to crossing the dunes. The linked camera shows the Umanose and oasis area and sea. Use it to view that scene; it cannot establish complete facility interiors or whether a visit is possible.
- AdmissionThe tourism guide lists no separate fee for a dunes walk. Activities, the lift and parking cost extra; follow each activity's guide.
- Hours and closuresThe dunes are an outdoor site. Round-the-clock safe access is not guaranteed; follow site guidance after dark or in strong wind.
- Getting thereAt Tottori Station's north bus terminal stand 0, take route 39 to Sakyu Kaikan (砂丘会館（鳥取砂丘）). The adult fare is JPY 380 one way. Walk a few minutes to the dunes, allowing additional time on the sand. If you are also visiting the museum, choose a Tottori-bound return bus from Suna-no-Bijutsukan-mae.
Official Tottori Sand Dunes guideOperator's route 39 timetable and faresNorth exit stand 0 and direction-specific stops
The Sand Museum
砂の美術館
See sand sculptures at the museum, which is easy to combine with a dunes walk. Interior exhibition admission is paid, with closure during exhibition changes. Exhibition-room temperature is affected by outdoor weather, so plan for the sculptures rather than assuming shelter from heat or cold.
- AdmissionAdmission costs JPY 800 for adults and JPY 400 for primary and secondary school students; younger children enter free.
- Hours and closuresThe exhibition runs from 24 April 2026–3 January 2027, with the museum open daily during that period. The main entrance opens 09:00–18:00, with last admission at 17:30. The museum closes during exhibition changes. The secondary entrance has shorter hours and takes no cash.
- Getting thereTake a local bus from Tottori Station's terminal for about 21 minutes, then walk roughly one minute from Suna-no-Bijutsukan-mae (砂の美術館前). From Sakyu Higashiguchi (砂丘東口), allow roughly five minutes on foot.
Official Sand Museum guideAdditional transport and opening information
Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses
倉吉白壁土蔵群
White-walled warehouses with red-tiled roofs line the Tamagawa area. Walk the lanes to see the old streetscape and visit shops or exhibition spaces that interest you. From Tottori, allow separate train and Kurayoshi bus travel.
- AdmissionThe official guide lists no common ticket for the whole street area. Check fees for individual paid activities or facilities.
- Hours and closuresThe streets have no shared business hours. Shops, exhibitions and activities each have their own opening days.
- Getting thereFrom Kurayoshi Station stand 2, take route 11, the Yashiro Line via Park Square, to Akagawara / White Wall Warehouses (赤瓦・白壁土蔵), then walk about five minutes. The adult fare is JPY 310 one way or JPY 620 return via the same route. Distinguish city-centre services. The attraction guide lists Tottori–Kurayoshi at about 30–40 minutes by limited express or one hour by local train, excluding waiting.
Official Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guideKurayoshi boarding points and return guideRoute 11 Yashiro Line timetables by dayHinomaru routes and fares
Mizuki Shigeru Museum
水木しげる記念館
See Mizuki Shigeru's work and life at the museum. Yokai sculptures line the walk from Sakaiminato Station, combining art and a street visit. Travel from Tottori's dunes is lengthy, so give Sakaiminato a separate day.
- AdmissionGeneral admission costs JPY 1,000. Secondary school students pay JPY 500 and primary school children pay JPY 300; younger children enter free.
- Hours and closuresThe museum opens daily from 09:30–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Queues may form when busy.
- Getting thereTake the JR Sakai Line from Yonago to Sakaiminato terminus, then walk about 10 minutes. The ordinary adult JR base fare is JPY 660 return; look up exact departures for your date.
Official Mizuki Shigeru Museum guideOfficial JR search entry pointJR trains and fare search
Hakuto Shrine
白兎神社
Visit Hakuto Shrine for the white-hare legend, worship and coastal scenery. It is west of Tottori City, outside walking distance of the dunes for a combined visit. Plan buses via Tottori Station and a return service together.
- Visit scopeAllow a suggested 30–45 minutes for the grounds and general worship. Booked prayers and shrine items are optional and excluded from this route.
- Hours and closuresThe shrine office opens 09:00–16:00. Arrive during office hours for shrine items or enquiries.
- Getting thereFrom Tottori Station, take route 41, the Hakuto Coast Line towards Shikano, to Hakuto Jinja-mae (白兎神社前). Allow roughly 40 minutes on the bus and five minutes' walk to the shrine. The adult fare is JPY 610 one way or JPY 1,220 return. Return towards Tottori Station. Choose both directions in the official timetable for your date.
Tottori tourism and accessShrine worship FAQShrine office and accessRoute 41 timetableHinomaru routes and fares
Tottori Castle Ruins / Kyusho Park
Tottori Castle Ruins/Kyusho Park鳥取城跡・久松公園
For a change from dunes scenery, walk among restored bridges, gates and stone walls at the city castle ruins. This guide covers the lower grounds without a mountain-summit hike.
- Fees and hoursThe city's park list gives Kyusho Park as free and open all day. Nearby museums and activities are separate. Plan your walk in daylight.
- Getting thereFrom Tottori Station, take the green Kururi loop bus to Jinpukaku / Prefectural Museum (仁風閣・県立博物館), just in front of the park. Adults pay JPY 100 per ride or JPY 200 for two rides.
- Walking areaAllow 60–90 minutes for restored gates and the lower park. Distinguish the official roughly 10 minutes from the park to Ninomaru from roughly 40 minutes to the mountain summit.
- WorksJinpukaku has been closed long-term since 29 December 2023 and its exterior is covered for works. Interior visiting is excluded.
City tourism guide to castle ruins and accessCity park fee listKururi fares and dated services
Utsubuki Park
打吹公園
In spring, walk Utsubuki Park among cherry blossoms and azaleas. Allow 45–60 minutes for a lower-park walk without climbing the summit. Check flowering conditions before travelling.
- Fees and hoursThe tourism guide specifies no common fee or opening hours for general walks. Its JPY 400 wish-paper activity is separate from walking and excluded from this itinerary.
- Getting thereAt Kurayoshi Station stand 2, take route 12, the Yokota Line via the museum, Park Square and city hall, to City Hall / Utsubuki Park Entrance (市役所・打吹公園入口). Allow roughly 17 minutes on the bus plus five minutes on foot. The adult fare is JPY 230 one way or JPY 460 return. Return on a depot-bound bus via Kurayoshi Station.
- Time at the siteAllow a suggested 45–60 minutes for the pond and lower park. Walking to the return stop and bus waiting are extra. Check official return services for your date.
Tourism guide to the parkKurayoshi boarding points and return guideCity park access guideCurrent linked Yokota Line fare tableHinomaru routes and fares
Yonago Castle Ruins
米子城跡
Stone walls and the former keep site remain at Yonago Castle Ruins. Walk among the old castle's traces, with an uphill route to the summit.
- Getting thereWalk about 15 minutes from Yonago Station to Masugata entrance (枡形入口). From the entrance, the ascent to the keep site takes about 20 minutes more. The summit is not 15 minutes from the station.
- Visiting timeThis route makes a daylight round trip to the keep site. The official FAQ allows night access but notes that lighting is needed because there are no streetlights. A climb after sunset is excluded from this itinerary.
- Visit and return timeAllow a suggested 20–30 minutes for summit views. Descent and station return are extra to the roughly 20-minute ascent. There are no toilets on the mountain; use those near Sannomaru parking first. Shorten the walk if rain affects paths.
- LuggageThe tourism guide states that there are no lockers at the site. Arrange station or accommodation storage before setting off.
Official castle-ruins accessCity tourism and luggage-storage guideOfficial Yonago Castle FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit The Sand Museum any time in winter?
The current exhibition runs 24 April 2026–3 January 2027. The museum closes during exhibition changes. For a visit from 4 January 2027, check the next exhibition's start and opening days officially.
Is Yonago Castle's summit 15 minutes from the station?
About 15 minutes takes you to the Masugata entrance. The keep site is another roughly 20 minutes uphill. Add descent and station return time.
Official sources and dates checked
- Official Tottori Sand Dunes guide ·
- Official Sand Museum guide ·
- Additional transport and opening information ·
- Official Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guide ·
- Kurayoshi boarding points and return guide ·
- Official Mizuki Shigeru Museum guide ·
- Tottori tourism and access ·
- City tourism guide to castle ruins and access ·
- City park fee list ·
- Kururi fares and dated services ·
- Tourism guide to the park ·
- City park access guide ·
- Official castle-ruins access ·
- City tourism and luggage-storage guide ·
- Operator's route 39 timetable and fares ·
- North exit stand 0 and direction-specific stops ·
- Route 41 timetable ·
- Hinomaru routes and fares ·
- Route 11 Yashiro Line timetables by day ·
- Official JR search entry point ·
- JR trains and fare search ·
- Current linked Yokota Line fare table ·
- Official Yonago Castle FAQ ·
- Shrine office and access ·
- Shrine worship FAQ ·
- JR Tottori–Matsue Pass coverage and eligibility ·