Tottori attractions: dunes, sand sculptures, and yokai streets
Choose Tottori Sand Dunes for sand hills and sea views, or the Sand Museum in the same area for indoor sand sculptures. For historic streets and park walks, consider central Kurayoshi. Give western Sakaiminato a day for Shigeru Mizuki's work and yokai sculptures, and see Yonago Castle Ruins' views separately in Yonago. Allow separate time for JR and local bus travel between the three areas.
Choose attractions independently of an itinerary
Tottori Sand Dunes
鳥取砂丘
Walk through a landscape of sand hills and sea. There is little shade, so reduce walking in midday heat and bring water. In strong winds, you can stay near the entrance instead of continuing onto the hills. See the related view through the camera link. It shows the Umanose ridge and oasis area of the Tottori Sand Dunes and the sea. Do not use the video to judge access to the whole facility or whether a visit is possible.
- AdmissionThe tourism guide does not separately list a walking admission fee for the dunes. Activities, lift rides, and parking are separate; follow the guidance for each activity.
- Hours and closuresThis is an outdoor site. Safe access at all hours is not guaranteed; follow on-site guidance in darkness or strong winds.
- Getting thereTake Route 39, the Sand Dunes Line, from stop 0 at Tottori Station's north-side bus terminal to its final stop, Sakyu Kaikan · 砂丘会館（鳥取砂丘）. The adult one-way fare is ¥380. Walk a few minutes to the dunes; walking over the sand hills takes additional time. If also visiting the museum, choose a Tottori Station-bound return from the Sand Museum stop.
Official Tottori Sand Dunes guideOperator's Route 39 timetable and fare chartNorth exit stop 0 and direction-specific boarding guidance
The Sand Museum
砂の美術館
See sculptures made from sand at this museum, an option to pair with a walk on the dunes. The indoor exhibition requires admission, and the museum closes between exhibitions. Exhibition-room temperatures are affected by outdoor weather, so do not plan it solely as a refuge from heat or cold.
- AdmissionAdults ¥800; elementary, junior high, and senior high school students ¥400; preschool children free.
- Hours and closuresThe 2026 exhibition runs April 24, 2026–January 3, 2027, without regular closures during that period. Main entrance hours are 9 a.m.–6 p.m., last entry 5:30 p.m. The museum closes between exhibitions. The secondary entrance has shorter hours and does not accept cash.
- Getting thereFrom Tottori Station's bus terminal, the local bus ride takes about 21 minutes. Get off at Suna no Bijutsukan-mae · 砂の美術館前 and walk about one minute, or at Sakyu Higashiguchi · 砂丘東口 and walk about five minutes.
Official Sand Museum visitor informationMore transport and operating details
Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses
倉吉白壁土蔵群
White-walled warehouses with red tiled roofs line the area around Tamagawa. Walk the lanes for historic streetscapes and stop at shops or exhibition spaces that interest you. From Tottori, plan the train and Kurayoshi local bus as separate journeys.
- AdmissionOfficial guidance does not list a shared admission ticket for the district. Check individual fees for paid activities or facilities you visit.
- Hours and closuresThe street itself has no shared business hours. Shops, exhibitions, and activities have individual opening days.
- Getting thereFrom Kurayoshi Station stop 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 fares are ¥310 one-way or ¥620 round-trip using the same route. Distinguish services via the city center. Facility guidance lists Tottori–Kurayoshi as about 30–40 minutes by limited express or about an hour by ordinary train, excluding waits.
Official Kurayoshi White Wall Warehouses guideKurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceRoute 11 Yashiro Line weekday and holiday timetablesHinomaru routes and fares
Mizuki Shigeru Museum
水木しげる記念館
Explore Shigeru Mizuki's work and life at the museum. Yokai sculptures line the walk from Sakaiminato Station, so you can pair the exhibition with a street walk. Travel to and from the Tottori dunes is lengthy; give Sakaiminato its own sightseeing day.
- AdmissionGeneral admission ¥1,000; junior and senior high school students ¥500; elementary school students ¥300; preschool children free.
- Hours and closuresMizuki Shigeru Museum is open 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m. Open year-round; there may be an entry queue at busy times.
- Getting thereTake a Sakaiminato-bound JR Sakai Line train from Yonago Station to the final stop, then walk about ten minutes. The adult JR base fare is ¥660 round-trip. Search separately for departures on your actual travel date.
Official Mizuki Shigeru Museum informationOfficial JR journey searchJR train and fare search
Hakuto Shrine
白兎神社
Visit Hakuto Shrine for the white rabbit legend and a coastal outing. It lies west of Tottori city and cannot be linked to the dunes by a simple walk. Plan the bus journey via Tottori Station and its return service.
- What's includedAllow a suggested 30–45 minutes for a grounds walk and a regular shrine visit. Prayer reservations and shrine items are optional extras excluded from this itinerary.
- Hours and closuresThe shrine office · 社務所 is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Arrive during office hours if you want to choose shrine items or make inquiries.
- Getting thereFrom Tottori Station, take a Shikano-bound Route 41 Hakuto Coast Line bus to Hakuto Jinja-mae · 白兎神社前. Allow about 40 minutes on the bus and another five minutes walking to the shrine. Adult fares are ¥610 one-way or ¥1,220 round-trip, with the return toward Tottori Station. Choose both directions from the official timetable for your date.
Tottori tourism and access informationShrine visit FAQShrine office hours and accessRoute 41 timetableHinomaru routes and fares
Tottori Castle Ruins/Kyusho Park
鳥取城跡・久松公園
For a change from the dunes, walk around the city castle ruins' restored bridge, gates, and stone walls. This guide does not describe a hike to the mountain summit.
- Admission and hoursThe city's park listing gives Kyusho Park as free and open all day. Nearby museums and activities are separate. Plan your 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, in front of the park. The adult fare is ¥100 per ride, or ¥200 for two rides.
- Walking areaThe itinerary allows 60–90 minutes for the restored gates and lower park. Distinguish the official estimates of about ten minutes from the park to Ninomaru and about 40 minutes to the mountain summit.
- ConstructionJinpukaku has been closed long-term since December 29, 2023, and its exterior is also under construction coverings. An interior visit is excluded.
City tourism guide to the castle ruins and accessCity park admission listingsKururi fares and date-specific services
Utsubuki Park
打吹公園
In spring, walk Utsubuki Park's paths among cherry blossoms and azaleas. Allow 45–60 minutes for a park walk without climbing to the summit. Check flowering conditions before your trip.
- Admission and hoursTourism guidance does not specify shared admission or opening hours for a regular park walk. The separately listed ¥400 wish-paper activity is distinct from walking admission and is excluded from the itinerary.
- Getting thereFrom Kurayoshi Station stop 2, take Route 12, the Yokota Line, via the museum, Park Square, and City Hall to Shiyakusho/Utsubuki Koen Iriguchi · 市役所・打吹公園入口. Allow about 17 minutes on the bus plus a separate five-minute walk. Adult fares are ¥230 one-way or ¥460 round-trip. Return on a depot-bound service that stops at Kurayoshi Station.
- Time at the parkAllow a suggested 45–60 minutes for the pond and lower park. Walking to the return stop and waiting for the bus are separate; check official services in both directions for your date.
Tourism guide to the parkKurayoshi bus boarding and return guidanceCity guidance on park accessCurrent connecting fare chart for the Yokota LineHinomaru 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 standing keep. Walk among the remains of the castle, allowing for an uphill path to the summit.
- Getting thereWalk about 15 minutes from Yonago Station to the Masugata entrance · 枡形入口, then about another 20 minutes up the castle path to the former keep site. Do not treat 15 minutes as the station-to-summit journey.
- When to visitThis itinerary makes a daylight round trip to the former keep site. The official FAQ says nighttime access is possible but requires a light because there are no streetlights. A summit visit after dark is excluded here.
- Time at the site and the returnAllow a suggested 20–30 minutes for summit views. The descent and return to the station are separate; the approximately 20-minute climb is not the full round-trip time. There are no toilets on the mountain, so use those near Sannomaru parking first. Shorten the walk if rain affects the path.
- LuggageTourism guidance says there are no coin lockers on site. Arrange storage at the station or your lodging before setting out.
Official castle ruins accessCity tourism 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. The museum closes between exhibitions. For a visit from January 4, 2027 onward, check the next exhibition's opening date and operating days in official guidance.
Is Yonago Castle's summit a 15-minute walk from Yonago Station?
About 15 minutes takes you from the station to the Masugata entrance. Allow about another 20 minutes to reach the former keep site, with descent and the return to the station separate.
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 ·
- Tottori tourism and access information ·
- City tourism guide to the castle ruins and access ·
- City park admission listings ·
- 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 ·
- Official JR journey search ·
- JR train and fare search ·
- Current connecting fare chart for the Yokota Line ·
- Official Yonago Castle FAQ ·
- Shrine office hours and access ·
- Shrine visit FAQ ·
- JR Tottori-Matsue Pass coverage and eligibility ·