Tottori attractions: what to see at the dunes, Sand Museum and yokai street?
Choose Tottori Sand Dunes for sand-hill walks and sea views, or the nearby Sand Museum for indoor sand sculptures. Central Kurayoshi suits historic streets and park walks. Give western Sakaiminato a day for Mizuki Shigeru’s work and yokai sculptures, then see Yonago Castle Ruins’ views separately in Yonago. Allow separately for JR and city buses between these three areas.
Choosing attractions independently of an itinerary
Tottori Sand Dunes
鳥取砂丘
Walk outdoors among sand hills with views of the sea. Shade is scarce; walk less at midday and bring water. In strong winds, you can stay near the entrance instead of going up the hills. See the related view through the camera link. Its visible area includes Umanose, the oasis and sea around Tottori Sand Dunes. Do not use footage to judge entire facility interiors or whether visits are possible.
- FeesThe tourism body’s dune introduction does not list a separate walking admission fee. Experiences, lifts and parking cost extra; follow each activity’s guidance.
- Hours and closuresThis is an outdoor site. Safe access around the clock is not guaranteed; follow on-site guidance after dark or in strong winds.
- Getting thereTake route 39, the Sand Dunes Line, from bay 0 at Tottori Station’s north bus terminal to the final stop, Sakyu Kaikan (砂丘会館（鳥取砂丘）). Adult fare is JPY 380 one way. The dunes are a few minutes on foot; walking the sand hills takes extra time. For the museum too, choose a Tottori Station-bound return from Suna no Bijutsukan-mae.
Open the official Tottori Sand Dunes guideOperator’s ordinary route 39 timetable and faresNorth exit bay 0 and direction-specific stops
The Sand Museum
砂の美術館
See sculptures made from sand at this museum. Add it after a dune walk if you want to see the artworks. Indoor exhibitions charge admission, and the museum closes for changeovers. Outside weather also affects exhibition-room temperatures; do not plan it solely as a place to escape heat or cold.
- FeesAdmission costs JPY 800 for adults and JPY 400 for elementary, junior and senior high school students. Preschool children enter free.
- Hours and closuresThe 2026 exhibition runs April 24, 2026–January 3, 2027, open daily during that period. Main entrance hours are 09:00–18:00, last admission 17:30. Closed during exhibition changeovers. The secondary entrance has shorter hours and does not accept cash.
- Getting thereTake a local bus from Tottori Station’s terminal for about 21 minutes to Suna no Bijutsukan-mae (砂の美術館前), then walk about one minute. From Sakyu Higashiguchi (砂丘東口), the walk is about five minutes.
Open The Sand Museum’s official guideAdditional transport and operating guidance
Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses
倉吉白壁土蔵群
White-walled warehouses with red tile roofs line the Tamagawa area. Walk the lanes for historic streetscapes and stop at shops or exhibition spaces that interest you. From Tottori, allow separately for trains and Kurayoshi local buses.
- FeesThe official introduction lists no common admission ticket for the entire district. Check individual prices for paid activities or facilities.
- Hours and closuresThere are no common opening hours for the street itself. Shops, exhibitions and activities have separate opening days.
- Getting thereFrom Kurayoshi Station bay 2, take route 11, the Yashiro Line via Park Square, to Akagawara/Shirakabe Dozo (赤瓦・白壁土蔵), then walk about five minutes. Adult fare is JPY 310 one way or JPY 620 return on the same routing; distinguish city-routed services. The facility gives about 30–40 minutes by limited express or one hour by local train between Tottori and Kurayoshi, excluding waits.
Open the official Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guideKurayoshi bus bays and return guidanceRoute 11 Yashiro Line timetables by dayHinomaru routes and fares
Mizuki Shigeru Museum
水木しげる記念館
The museum presents Mizuki Shigeru’s work and life. Yokai sculptures line the walk from Sakaiminato Station, combining the artworks with street sightseeing. Travel from Tottori’s dunes is long, so give Sakaiminato a separate day.
- FeesGeneral admission costs JPY 1,000; junior and senior high school students pay JPY 500 and elementary school students pay JPY 300. Preschool children enter free.
- Hours and closuresOpen 09:30–17:00, last admission 16:30. Open year-round; busy periods can require an entry wait.
- Getting thereTake the Sakaiminato-bound JR Sakai Line from Yonago Station to its terminus, then walk about 10 minutes. The adult JR return base fare is JPY 660. Search exact departure times for your travel date separately.
Open the official Mizuki Shigeru Museum guideJR official search entry pointJR train and fare search
Hakuto Shrine
白兎神社
Consider Hakuto Shrine for worship at the shrine associated with the white rabbit myth and coastal scenery. West of Tottori city, it cannot be connected to the dunes on foot. Arrange buses via Tottori Station and your return journey together.
- Visit scopeAllow a suggested 30–45 minutes for a grounds walk and ordinary worship. Prayer reservations and shrine items are optional and excluded from this itinerary.
- Hours and closuresThe shrine office (社務所) opens 09:00–16:00. Arrive within those hours for items or enquiries.
- Getting thereFrom Tottori Station, take route 41, the Hakuto Coast Line bound for Shikano, to Hakuto Jinja-mae (白兎神社前). Allow a reference ride of about 40 minutes, then a five-minute walk to the shrine. Adult fare is JPY 610 one way or JPY 1,220 return, returning towards Tottori Station. Choose both services in the official timetable for your date.
Tottori sightseeing and accessShrine worship FAQShrine office and accessRoute 41 timetableHinomaru routes and fares
Tottori Castle Ruins/Kyusho Park
鳥取城跡・久松公園
For a different landscape from the dunes, walk the city castle ruins’ restored bridge, gates and stone walls. This guide is not a hiking route to the mountain summit.
- Fees and hoursThe city park list records Kyusho Park as free and open all day. Nearby museums and activities cost extra. Plan the walk in daylight.
- Getting thereTake the green Kururi loop bus from Tottori Station to Jinpukaku/Kenritsu Hakubutsukan (仁風閣・県立博物館), directly in front of the park. Adult fare is JPY 100 per ride, or JPY 200 for two rides.
- Walking scopeThis itinerary allows 60–90 minutes for the restored gates and lower park. Distinguish the official park–Ninomaru estimate of about 10 minutes from the roughly 40-minute summit approach.
- WorksJinpukaku has been closed long-term since December 29, 2023, with its exterior covered for works too. Interior visits are excluded.
City tourism body’s castle ruins and access guideCity park fee listKururi fares and date-specific services
Utsubuki Park
打吹公園
In spring, walk Utsubuki Park among cherry blossoms and azaleas. Allow 45–60 minutes for a park walk without climbing to the summit. Check flowering times before travelling.
- Fees and hoursThe tourism body does not specify common fees or opening hours for ordinary walks. Its JPY 400 wish-paper activity is separate from walking and excluded from this itinerary.
- Getting thereFrom Kurayoshi Station bay 2, take route 12, the Yokota Line via the art museum, Park Square and city hall, to Shiyakusho/Utsubuki Koen Iriguchi (市役所・打吹公園入口). Allow separately for the reference 17-minute ride and five-minute walk from the stop. Adult fare is JPY 230 one way or JPY 460 return. Return on a depot-bound service passing Kurayoshi Station.
- Time at the siteAllow a suggested 45–60 minutes for the pond and lower park. The walk back to the stop and bus waits take extra time; check official return services for your date.
Tourism body’s park introductionKurayoshi bus bays and return guidanceCity’s park access explanationCurrent Yokota Line connecting fare tableHinomaru routes and fares
Yonago Castle Ruins
米子城跡
Stone walls and the former keep site remain at Yonago Castle Ruins, rather than a keep building. Explore traces of the old castle on foot; the summit path is uphill.
- Getting thereYonago Station → Masugata entrance (枡形入口), about 15 minutes on foot → ascent path → former keep site, about another 20 minutes. Do not calculate 15 minutes from the station to the summit.
- Visit timingThis route walks to the keep site and back in daylight. The official FAQ says night access is possible but requires lighting because there are no streetlights. This itinerary excludes an after-dark summit visit.
- Visit and returnAllow a suggested 20–30 minutes for summit views. Descent and the station return are extra; the roughly 20-minute climb is not the whole return walk. There are no toilets on the mountain, so use those near Sannomaru parking first. Shorten the walk if rain worsens path conditions.
- LuggageThe tourism body says there are no on-site coin lockers. Arrange station or hotel luggage storage before leaving.
Official castle ruins accessCity tourism body and luggage storage guidanceOfficial Yonago Castle FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit The Sand Museum at any time in winter?
The current exhibition runs April 24, 2026–January 3, 2027. Closed for exhibition changeovers; for visits from January 4, 2027, check the next exhibition’s opening date and operating days in official guidance.
Is Yonago Castle Ruins’ summit 15 minutes from Yonago Station?
About 15 minutes reaches the Masugata entrance. The former keep site requires about another 20 minutes; allow separately for descent and the station return.
Official sources and check dates
- Open the official Tottori Sand Dunes guide ·
- Open The Sand Museum’s official guide ·
- Additional transport and operating guidance ·
- Open the official Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guide ·
- Kurayoshi bus bays and return guidance ·
- Open the official Mizuki Shigeru Museum guide ·
- Tottori sightseeing and access ·
- City tourism body’s castle ruins and access guide ·
- City park fee list ·
- Kururi fares and date-specific services ·
- Tourism body’s park introduction ·
- City’s park access explanation ·
- Official castle ruins access ·
- City tourism body and luggage storage guidance ·
- Operator’s ordinary route 39 timetable and fares ·
- North exit bay 0 and direction-specific stops ·
- Route 41 timetable ·
- Hinomaru routes and fares ·
- Route 11 Yashiro Line timetables by day ·
- JR official search entry point ·
- JR train and fare search ·
- Current Yokota Line connecting fare table ·
- Official Yonago Castle FAQ ·
- Shrine office and access ·
- Shrine worship FAQ ·
- JR Tottori-Matsue Pass coverage and eligibility ·