Tottori Sand Dunes extend 16km from east to west and 2.4km from north to south, with a maximum height difference of about 90m, making them the largest dunes available for sightseeing in Japan. The view created by sand, wind, and light is wonderful, and you can feel the extraordinary world view and the power of the earth. One of the attractions is that the view changes depending on the season and time. There are also plenty of activities such as paragliding and sandboarding, so you can feel nature with your whole body. In addition, there is also the Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum (鳥取砂丘砂の美術館), where sand sculptures are exhibited, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Admission fee
Admission fee : Free
※For Tottori Sand Dunes
Admission fee for Sand Museum
Adult : 800 yen
Child : 400 yen
Opening hours
24 hours for all days
※For Tottori Sand Dunes
Opening hours for Sand Museum
Weekday and Sunday : 9:00 – 17:00 (Last admission is 16:30)
Saturday : 9:00 – 18:00 (Last admission is 17:30)
Access
Buses : about 20 min from JR Tottori station
※ Details are described as below
Attractions
The largest sand dunes available for sightseeing in Japan
Tottori Sand Dunes, one of the largest sand dunes in Japan, is designated as a national natural monument. The sandy beach stretches as far as the eye can see, and it is a place where you can feel the power of the earth. On a sunny day, the contrast between the blue sky, white clouds, and brown sand is wonderful.
The view from the top of the sand dunes is wide open and is superb. The people around the sand dunes look as small as grains of rice.
Beyond the sand dunes is the Sea of Japan. The sea here is very clear and clean, and there is a swimming beach just a short distance from the Tottori Sand Dunes, which is crowded with beachgoers in the summer.
In the evening you can see the sunset from the sand dunes. You can feel the magnificence of nature again from the sun setting into the sea and the vast sand dunes.
Winter season of Tottori Sand Dunes
Tottori Prefecture, where the Tottori Sand Dunes are located, is known for its snowfall, and this is true for the Tottori Sand Dunes. From middle of December to March, the Tottori Sand Dunes are covered in pure white snow. Moreover, there are few tourists in the winter season, so you may be able to have the pure white scenery all to yourself. Also, after the snow melts, the water creates oasis in the dunes. This is also a precious scenery that can be seen in winter.
The snow piles up on the wind ripples formed on the sand, so the snowfield has a wavy pattern. This patterned snowfield is one of the unique attractions of the Tottori Sand Dunes in winter.
From middle of December to Christmas, the Tottori Sand Dunes are lit up under the title of “Tottori Sand Dunes Illusion.” The Tottori Sand Dunes are colored with light, and you can feel the fantastic Tottori Sand Dunes that can only be seen in winter. Admission is free of charge, which is a nice feature!
Air walk by paragliding
You can enjoy paragliding from the top of the Tottori Sand Dunes. The feeling of floating while looking at the sand dunes and the Sea of Japan is like flying in the sky. The stage is soft sand, so you can rest assured when landing. In addition, instructors provide detailed advice, so everyone from children to the elderly can enjoy this activity. Depending on the paragliding school and course, you can enjoy paragliding for about 10,000 yen for 2-3 hours. Be aware that the dunes can get very hot in the summer, you will have to carry heavy paragliding equipment, and weather conditions may prevent activities.
Camel Riding Experience
At the Tottori Sand Dunes, you can experience walking around on a real live camel, which is rare even in Japan. You will ride a camel and take a walk with a guide on a course of about 5 minutes. There are not only single seater camels, but also two seater camels, so even couples and families can enjoy it. No advance reservations are available, so you will have to apply for the experience on the spot on the day.
Tottori Sand Dunes Sand Museum (鳥取砂丘砂の美術館)
The Tottori Sand Museum is the first museum in the world to exhibit sculptures made from sand. Since the sand sculptures are displayed with a different theme every year, the sand sculptures can only be seen that year. The transience is the beauty and charm of sand sculptures.
These photos are sand sculptures created with an American theme. The exquisiteness and power of the works of sand sculptors who pour their passion into their creations are nothing short of breathtaking. You can enjoy the world of sand sculptures on an overwhelming scale, carefully and delicately carved down to the smallest detail. I highly recommend that you take a look at the rare sand sculptures in the world. Please check the top of this page for opening hours and fees.
Access
To get to the Tottori Sand Dunes, use trains and buses, or use planes and buses.
When going to Tottori Sand Dunes by train
The nearest station to Tottori Sand Dunes is JR Tottori Station. You can go to Tottori Sand Dunes by bus from JR Tottori Station. There are two types of buses, but you can go either way. Both buses depart from platform 0 of the Tottori Bus Terminal (Tottori Bus Terminal is located right outside the North Exit of Tottori Station). I recommend that you take the one that you can ride on time.
① Use Local Bus (Tottori Sand Dunes Line)
Fare : 380 yen
Time : about 20 min
Tottori Station Stop (鳥取駅)
→ Tottori Sand Dunes (Tottori Sakyu (Sakyu Kaikan), 鳥取砂丘 (砂丘会館))
② Use Loop Kirinjishi Bus (ループ麒麟獅子バス)
※This bus runs only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Fare : 300 yen
Time : about 25 min
Tottori Station Stop (鳥取駅)
→ Tottori Sand Dunes (Tottori Sakyu (Sakyu Kaikan), 鳥取砂丘 (砂丘会館))
When going to Tottori Sand Dunes by planes
If you go to Tottori Sand Dunes from Tottori Airport by bus, use a tour bus. However, this bus does not operate on weekdays and only operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, so if you want to go to Tottori Sand Dunes by bus on weekdays, take the bus bound for Tottori Station first, then take a bus from the station to Tottori Sand Dunes. Since the number of buses from Tottori Airport is small, we recommend using a taxi if the time is not suitable.
By the way, Tottori is the hometown of the author of the popular Japanese anime Detective Conan, and Tottori Airport is named after Conan. (Tottori Airport is officially Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport)
① When accessing to Tottori Sand Dunes directly
Use the tour bus (周遊バス)
※This bus runs only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
※There are only three buses that depart at 8:40, 11:45, and 14:55. If the time doesn’t match, go to Tottori Station first and then go to Tottori Sand Dunes
Fare : 500 yen
Time : about 20 min
Tottori Airport Stop (鳥取空港), Platform 3
→ Tottori Sand Dunes (Tottori Sakyu (Sakyu Kaikan), 鳥取砂丘 (砂丘会館))
② When accessing to Tottori Sand Dunes via Tottori Station
Information from Tottori Airport to Tottori Station is described here. See above for information from Tottori Station to Tottori Sand Dunes.
※There are only three buses that depart at 7:55, 10:45, 14:55, 18:05 and 20:45. If the time doesn’t match, use a taxi.
Fare : 470 yen
Time : about 20 min
Tottori Airport Stop (鳥取空港), Platform 1 → Tottori Station Stop (鳥取駅)
Summary
The Tottori Sand Dunes change their appearance depending on the season and time. It is a tourist destination full of attractions where you can feel the great outdoors, enjoy activities, and enjoy sand art works. I recommend to visiting here once.
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