Tottori in five days: travel west or explore the east and center?
For the yokai street sculptures and Yonago Castle Ruins, move west with two nights in Tottori, one in Kurayoshi, and one in Yonago. For more time at Tottori Castle Ruins and Utsubuki Park, choose three nights in Tottori and one in Kurayoshi. The eastern/central itinerary does not add a Yonago round trip to its costs.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days, 4 nights
Move west through Tottori, Kurayoshi, and Yonago
Spend two nights in Tottori, one in Kurayoshi, and one in Yonago. Visit the dunes and exhibition, Tottori Castle Ruins, the warehouse district, and the yokai museum in that order, leaving Yonago Castle Ruins for the final day.
Move west through Tottori, Kurayoshi, and Yonago →5 days, 4 nights BCastle ruins and parks in eastern and central Tottori
Spend three nights in Tottori, then one in Kurayoshi. Give the dunes walk, sand exhibition, and castle ruins a day each before moving to Kurayoshi for the warehouse district and park.
Castle ruins and parks in eastern and central Tottori →Move west through Tottori, Kurayoshi, and Yonago
Spend two nights in Tottori, one in Kurayoshi, and one in Yonago. Visit the dunes and exhibition, Tottori Castle Ruins, the warehouse district, and the yokai museum in that order, leaving Yonago Castle Ruins for the final day.
Day 1 · Start in Tottori with the dunes and museum
Start your trip in Tottori with the dunes and museum
- Tottori Station or lodging → Dunes entrance
From stop 0 at Tottori Station's north-side bus terminal, take Route 39, the Sand Dunes Line, to its final stop, Sakyu Kaikan · 砂丘会館（鳥取砂丘）. Follow signs to the dunes entrance. Use the official timetable to choose both directions, allowing time to finish the dunes walk and exhibition before returning.
Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
- Dunes entrance → The Sand Museum
Allow 60–90 minutes to walk the dunes and beach, with lunch separate. Then follow signs to the Sand Museum's main entrance. Walking time between the two sites is separate from the suggested sightseeing time.
Official Tottori Sand Dunes guideMore transport and operating details
- Sand Museum entrance → Exhibition visit
Allow 60–90 minutes for the exhibition. The current exhibition runs through January 3, 2027; the museum closes between exhibitions. Check exhibition dates in the attraction guide. The main entrance is open 9 a.m.–6 p.m., with last entry at 5:30 p.m. If your visit falls outside the exhibition period, omit the indoor visit and its ¥800 admission.
- The Sand Museum → Tottori lodging
Return on a Tottori Station-bound Sand Dunes Line bus from Suna no Bijutsukan-mae · 砂の美術館前. Choose a departure that leaves time to walk to the stop after the exhibition. Stay in Tottori tonight.
Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
Day 2 · Kyusho Park and restored castle gates, then stay in Tottori
Give Tottori Castle Ruins and Kyusho Park a separate day from the dunes
- Tottori Station or lodging → Kyusho Park entrance
Take the green Kururi loop bus from Tottori Station and get off at Jinpukaku/Kenritsu Hakubutsukan · 仁風閣・県立博物館. The park below Tottori Castle Ruins is in front of the stop.
Kururi fares and date-specific servicesCity tourism guide to the castle ruins and access
- Kyusho Park entrance → Restored gates and stone walls
Allow 60–90 minutes for the restored gates, bridge, stone walls, and lower park. Jinpukaku's interior is closed for construction, and this itinerary does not include the mountain summit.
- Kyusho Park → Tottori Station or lodging
Take the same loop bus from the stop in front of the park back to Tottori Station. Stay in Tottori again tonight.
Day 3 · Warehouse district walk and a night in central Tottori
Walk the warehouse district and stay in central Tottori
- Tottori lodging → Kurayoshi Station and new lodging
Take a Kurayoshi-bound JR San'in Line train from Tottori Station. From today, Kurayoshi is your base for the warehouse district, with a return to the station afterward. Match the intercity train and Kurayoshi local bus using official searches for your travel date.
- Kurayoshi Station → White-walled warehouse district
From Kurayoshi Station stop 2, take Route 11, the Yashiro Line, on a service via Park Square. Get off at Akagawara/Shirakabe Dozo · 赤瓦・白壁土蔵 and walk about five minutes to the district. Fares differ from services via the city center, so choose both directions using the same route.
Kurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetablesOfficial Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guide
- Warehouse district entrance → Tamagawa and street walk
Allow 90–120 minutes for the warehouse district and Tamagawa walk, plus about 60 minutes for lunch. Gyukotsu ramen is a meal option; individual restaurant hours and prices are separate.
- Warehouse district → Kurayoshi lodging
Return to the Akagawara/Shirakabe Dozo stop and take a Kurayoshi Station-bound bus. An adult round trip via Park Square, matching the outbound route, costs ¥620. Stay in Kurayoshi tonight.
Kurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetables
Day 4 · Move to Yonago for Mizuki's work and street sculptures
Move to Yonago for Mizuki's work and street sculptures
- Kurayoshi lodging → Yonago Station and new lodging
Take a Yonago-bound JR San'in Line train from Kurayoshi Station. Use Yonago as your new base for a Sakai Line round trip to Sakaiminato. Choose the intercity train and both Sakai Line services to leave enough time for the museum.
- Yonago Station → Mizuki Shigeru Museum
Take the JR Sakai Line from Yonago Station to its final stop, Sakaiminato. Walk about ten minutes along Mizuki Shigeru Road to the museum. Use the official train search to choose a return from Sakaiminato to Yonago as well.
JR train and fare searchOfficial Mizuki Shigeru Museum information
- Museum entrance → Exhibition and street walk
After the 9:30 a.m. opening, allow 60–90 minutes for the exhibition and about 60 minutes each for the street sculptures and lunch. Admission ends at 4:30 p.m.; if you arrive late, shorten the visit or change your visit date.
- Museum and street → Yonago lodging
Walk back along the yokai street to Sakaiminato Station and take a Yonago-bound Sakai Line train. The JR base fare is ¥660 round-trip. Stay in Yonago tonight.
Day 5 · Yonago Castle Ruins, then finish at the station
Visit Yonago Castle Ruins and finish at the station
- Yonago Station or lodging → Masugata entrance to the castle ruins
Walk about 15 minutes from Yonago Station to the castle ruins' Masugata entrance. There are no coin lockers at the ruins, so arrange storage at the station or your lodging first if you have large bags.
Official castle ruins accessCity tourism and luggage storage guidance
- Masugata entrance → Views from the former keep site
Allow about another 20 minutes on the uphill path to the former keep site, then 20–30 minutes for the views. Omit the summit if you have a morning flight.
Official castle ruins accessCity tourism and luggage storage guidance
- Former keep site → Yonago Station or lodging
Descend along the same route through the Masugata entrance and return to Yonago Station. The roughly 20-minute uphill walk is neither the descent time nor the full round-trip time. Omit the summit if rain makes the path slippery or time before departure is short. This itinerary ends at Yonago Station; airport transportation is separate.
Official castle ruins accessCity tourism and luggage storage guidance
Included: Sand Museum ¥800 + Mizuki Shigeru Museum ¥1,000 + Sand Dunes Line ¥760 + Kururi round trip to the castle ruins ¥200 + Route 11 to the warehouse district ¥620 + JR Tottori–Kurayoshi ¥680 + JR Kurayoshi–Yonago ¥990 + Sakai Line ¥330 × 2 rides.
Extra costs and conditions: Lodging, meals, airport transfers, luggage storage, and unlisted transportation are separate. Paid activities and admission to other facilities are excluded. Choose outbound and return services for your travel date.
Official Sand Museum visitor informationOfficial Mizuki Shigeru Museum informationOperator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartRoute 41 timetableHinomaru routes and faresRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetablesJR train and fare searchKururi fares and date-specific servicesCity tourism guide to the castle ruins and access
Castle ruins and parks in eastern and central Tottori
Spend three nights in Tottori, then one in Kurayoshi. Give the dunes walk, sand exhibition, and castle ruins a day each before moving to Kurayoshi for the warehouse district and park.
Day 1 · Walk the dunes and beach
Walk the dunes and stay in Tottori
- Tottori Station or lodging → Dunes entrance
From stop 0 at Tottori Station's north-side bus terminal, take Route 39, the Sand Dunes Line, to its final stop, Sakyu Kaikan · 砂丘会館（鳥取砂丘）. Follow signs to the dunes entrance. Choose both directions from the official timetable, allowing time for the dunes walk and lunch before your return.
Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
- Dunes entrance → Dunes walk and lunch
Allow a suggested 60–90 minutes for the dunes and beach. Plan lunch and the walk to the entrance separately. Leave the indoor exhibition for another day so you have time for the dunes.
Official Tottori Sand Dunes guideMore transport and operating details
- Dunes entrance → Tottori lodging
Return through the entrance you used and board a Tottori Station-bound Route 39 bus at Sakyu Kaikan · 砂丘会館（鳥取砂丘）. Choose a departure you can reach after the walk and lunch, then stay in Tottori.
Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
Day 2 · Give the Sand Museum exhibition its own day
Visit the indoor exhibition separately from yesterday's dunes walk
- Tottori Station or lodging → Suna no Bijutsukan-mae bus stop
Take Route 39, the Sand Dunes Line, from stop 0 at Tottori Station's north-side bus terminal. Get off at Suna no Bijutsukan-mae · 砂の美術館前 and follow signs to the main entrance. Today is for the indoor exhibition, without repeating yesterday's climb over the dunes. Choose a return to the station for after your visit.
Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
- Sand Museum entrance → Exhibition visit
Allow 60–90 minutes for the exhibition. The current exhibition runs through January 3, 2027; the museum closes between exhibitions. Check exhibition dates in the attraction guide. The main entrance is open 9 a.m.–6 p.m., with last entry at 5:30 p.m. If your visit falls outside the exhibition period, omit the indoor visit and its ¥800 admission.
- The Sand Museum → Tottori lodging
Return on a Tottori Station-bound Sand Dunes Line bus from Suna no Bijutsukan-mae · 砂の美術館前. Choose a departure that leaves time to walk to the stop after the exhibition. Stay in Tottori tonight.
Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
Day 3 · Leave time for the restored castle gates and Kyusho Park
A relaxed day for the restored castle gates and Kyusho Park
- Tottori Station or lodging → Kyusho Park entrance
Take the green Kururi loop bus from Tottori Station and get off at Jinpukaku/Kenritsu Hakubutsukan · 仁風閣・県立博物館. The park below Tottori Castle Ruins is in front of the stop.
Kururi fares and date-specific servicesCity tourism guide to the castle ruins and access
- Kyusho Park entrance → Restored gates and stone walls
Allow 60–90 minutes for the restored gates, bridge, stone walls, and lower park. Jinpukaku's interior is closed for construction, and this itinerary excludes the mountain summit. If you walk farther toward Ninomaru, allow about another ten minutes from the park.
- Kyusho Park → Tottori Station or lodging
Take the same loop bus from the stop in front of the park back to Tottori Station. Stay in Tottori tonight as well.
Day 4 · Move your base to Kurayoshi for the warehouse district
Change your base to Kurayoshi and visit the warehouse district
- Tottori lodging → Kurayoshi Station and new lodging
Take a Kurayoshi-bound JR San'in Line train from Tottori Station. From today, Kurayoshi is your base for the warehouse district, with a return to the station afterward. Match the intercity train and Kurayoshi local bus using official searches for your travel date.
- Kurayoshi Station → White-walled warehouse district
From Kurayoshi Station stop 2, take Route 11, the Yashiro Line, on a service via Park Square. Get off at Akagawara/Shirakabe Dozo · 赤瓦・白壁土蔵 and walk about five minutes to the district. Fares differ from services via the city center, so choose both directions using the same route.
Kurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetablesOfficial Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guide
- Warehouse district entrance → Tamagawa and street walk
Allow 90–120 minutes for the warehouse district and Tamagawa walk, plus about 60 minutes for lunch. Gyukotsu ramen is a meal option; individual restaurant hours and prices are separate.
- Warehouse district → Kurayoshi lodging
Return to the Akagawara/Shirakabe Dozo stop and take a Kurayoshi Station-bound bus. An adult round trip via Park Square, matching the outbound route, costs ¥620. Stay in Kurayoshi tonight.
Kurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetables
Day 5 · Finish with Utsubuki Park
Finish your trip with Utsubuki Park
- Kurayoshi Station or lodging → Utsubuki Park entrance
From Kurayoshi Station stop 2, take Route 12, the Yokota Line, via the museum, Park Square, and City Hall. Get off at Shiyakusho/Utsubuki Koen Iriguchi · 市役所・打吹公園入口. Tourism guidance lists about 17 minutes on the bus, followed by a five-minute walk to the park. Adult fares on this route are ¥230 one-way or ¥460 round-trip.
Route 12 weekday and weekend/holiday timetablesCity guidance on park accessCurrent connecting fare chart for the Yokota LineHinomaru routes and fares
- Utsubuki Park entrance → Pond and lower park walk
Allow 45–60 minutes for the pond and lower park. This day does not include a summit hike or repeat the previous day's warehouse district visit.
- Utsubuki Park → Kurayoshi Station or lodging
Walk back to the City Hall/Utsubuki Park Entrance stop and choose a depot-bound bus that stops at Kurayoshi Station. This itinerary ends at Kurayoshi Station; a JR return to Tottori is excluded. Check the official timetable for a return you can reach after your visit and walk to the stop.
Route 12 weekday and weekend/holiday timetablesKurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceCurrent connecting fare chart for the Yokota Line
Included: Sand Museum ¥800 + Sand Dunes Line round trip ¥760 × 2 days = ¥1,520 + Kururi ¥200 + Route 11 to the warehouse district ¥620 + JR Tottori–Kurayoshi ¥680 + Route 12 to Utsubuki Park ¥230 × 2 rides.
Extra costs and conditions: Lodging, meals, airport transfers, luggage storage, and unlisted transportation are separate. Paid activities and admission to other facilities are excluded. Choose outbound and return services for your travel date.
Official Sand Museum visitor informationOperator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartRoute 41 timetableHinomaru routes and faresKururi fares and date-specific servicesRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetablesJR train and fare searchCurrent connecting fare chart for the Yokota Line
Frequently asked questions
Does a three-day pass cover all transportation in the five-day itinerary?
No. The Tottori-Matsue Pass is valid for three consecutive days on officially designated railways and buses only. Intercity JR and Sakai Line travel in the westbound itinerary is concentrated on days three and four, but Sand Dunes Line, Kururi, and Kurayoshi local buses are not counted as covered. Lodging, meals, and admission are separate.
JR train and fare searchJR Tottori-Matsue Pass coverage and eligibility
Is a pass cheaper for Tottori, Kurayoshi, Yonago, and Sakaiminato?
The westbound itinerary's JR base fares on days three and four total ¥2,330: Tottori–Kurayoshi ¥680, Kurayoshi–Yonago ¥990, and the Sakai Line round trip ¥660. On ordinary trains for only these sections, individual tickets cost less than the ¥4,000 adult three-day pass. The ¥5,710 itinerary subtotal also includes buses and admission, so do not compare that whole amount with a JR pass. Added limited expresses, journeys, and a return to your arrival city are separate.
JR train and fare searchJR Tottori-Matsue Pass coverage and eligibility
Official sources and checked dates
- Official Tottori Sand Dunes guide ·
- Official Sand Museum visitor information ·
- More transport and operating details ·
- Official Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guide ·
- Kurayoshi bus boarding and return guidance ·
- Official Mizuki Shigeru Museum information ·
- City tourism guide to the castle ruins and access ·
- Kururi fares and date-specific services ·
- Tourism guide to the park ·
- City guidance on park access ·
- Official castle ruins access ·
- City tourism and luggage storage guidance ·
- Operator's Route 39 timetable and fare chart ·
- North exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance ·
- Route 41 timetable ·
- Hinomaru routes and fares ·
- Route 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetables ·
- Route 12 weekday and weekend/holiday timetables ·
- JR train and fare search ·
- Current connecting fare chart for the Yokota Line ·
- JR Tottori-Matsue Pass coverage and eligibility ·