Tottori (鳥取市 Tottori-shi) and its sand dunes are among the best reasons to visit western Japan. There's more to do than climbing and collecting seashells — hang-gliders, sandboards, and even camels await.

Understand

Tottori Sand Dunes

"It's useless. The sand can swallow up cities and countries, if it wants to."

Kobo Abe's existential meditation on sand and work, The Woman in the Dunes, was published in 1964. Although the novel does not mention Tottori by name, it was a natural choice for the film adaptation of Abe's book. "There has never been sand photography like this (no, not even in Lawrence of Arabia)," said Roger Ebert, of the Oscar-nominated film.

You will, almost certainly, have a better visit than did the story's protagonist, Niki Junpei; come to collect insects, Junpei was fascinated by the patterns and movement of the sand, and missed the last train. Locals offered him lodging for the night, but the next morning, Junpei discovered that he was a prisoner at the bottom of a sandpit, which he and an unnamed woman must shovel out every day in order to keep the house and village from being swallowed in the endless, enigmatic movement of the sand.

The city is the industrial center of the prefecture, with several big electronics factories for companies like Sanyo. The fishing industry is also quite lively. There are also two universities, which attract agricultural students and researchers from other parts of Japan and a small number of foreign students. Although the number of foreign residents in Tottori is low, compared to other major cities in Japan, its 190,000 locals are certainly friendly — and thoroughly unlikely to strand you at the bottom of a sand pit.

Tourist information

• 1 Tourist Information (鳥取市観光案内所), JR Tottori Station, ☏ +81 857-22-3318. 
• 2 Tottori Sightseeing Association (鳥取市観光コンベンション協会), 160 Suehiroonsencho, ☏ +81 857-26-0756. M-F 09:00-17:00. 
• 3 Tottori Sand Dunes Information Center (鳥取砂丘情報館サンドパルとっとり), 2083-17 Yuyama Hukube, ☏ +81 857-20-2231. 09:00-18:00 daily. 

Get in

Map of Tottori

By plane

The nearest airports with regular international flights are Yonago and Okayama; however, travellers should also consider using Osaka-Kansai.

• 1 Tottori Airport (鳥取空港 TTJ  ^IATA), 4-110-5 Koyamachonishi, ☏ +81 120-029-222, +81 857-23-3038. Served mainly by flights from Tokyo Haneda. Buses from Tottori Station run to the airport (20 minutes for ¥460). Several buses a day run to the Sand Dunes (20 min, ¥500). The nearest JR station, Tottori Daigaku-mae, is a 20-minute walk from the airport.  

By train

Limited express trains to the east take you to Kansai. The train goes to Himeji, Akashi, Sannomiya, Osaka, and Kyoto. Other limited express trains to the west connect with Kurayoshi, Yonago, Matsue, Izumo-shi, Hamada, Masuda, and Shin-Yamaguchi. The Super Inaba limited express train runs south to Okayama. For budget travelers, it is possible to reach Tottori from Okayama in 4 hours and ¥2,590 using the Tsuyama and Imbi Lines.

By bus

• Camel. Overnight bus from Shinagawa, Hamamatsuchō and Shibuya Mark City bus terminals in Tokyo. There is a "Camel" bus that goes to Yonago, so check the destination carefully. 10 hours. ¥10,500. (updated Jul 2020)
• West JR Bus. 3 buses a day from Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit. 3 hr 30 min. One way ¥4,000, round trip ¥7,200. (updated Jul 2020)
• Nihon Kōtsū. Several routes from Osaka and Kobe. (updated Jul 2020)
• Princess Bird. Four buses a day from Himeji Station and Himeji Castle. 2 hr 30 min. ¥2,400. (updated Jul 2020)
• Merry Bird (Tottori Line). Two buses a day from Hiroshima Bus Center and Ōzuka Station. Not to be confused with the much more frequent Merry Bird service to Yonago. 5 hr 30 min. One way ¥4,500, round trip ¥8,000. (updated Jul 2020)
• Daisen. An overnight bus from Kitakyūshū and Fukuoka (Tenjin and Hakata). 10 hrs. One way ¥9,700, round trip ¥17,400. (updated Jul 2020)

Get around

Loop Kirinjishi bus

By bus

• Loop Kirinjishi. For the sand dunes and port, take this bus. A special sakyū bus runs from the train and central bus station — it plays the sand dunes' theme song as it goes by. (updated Jul 2020)
• ¥100 Bus Kururi. There are three routes: Red, Green and Blue. The buses depart every 20 minutes from JR Tottori Station. ¥100. (updated Jul 2020)

On foot

The city center, between the train station and Mt. Kyusho, is easily navigable on foot. From downtown, a wide and pleasant greenbelt leads to the beach. Starting from JR Tottori Station, walk west about 5 blocks to find the river, Sendai-gawa. Head right when you find the path. The walk takes about 45 minutes. To get to the sand dunes, it is best to take the bus. Walking would take a few hours.

See

The White Rabbit of Inaba Just offshore at Hakuto Beach is a small island that is part of a local folktale. The story goes that a rabbit was trapped on the island, longing to return to his family on the mainland. He tricked a family of sharks into lining up so he could hop on their backs to the shore, but as he reached the last shark, he sneered that he had deceived them; enraged, the sharks tore off all the rabbit's fur. To make matters worse, some cruel gods told the rabbit he would be cured if he bathed in the sea, which he did, only to find that the salt stung his wounds quite badly. The youngest brother of the gods, Okuninushi no Mikoto, felt sorry for the crying rabbit, and told him to bathe in fresh water and dry off with cattails. The rabbit was cured and predicted that the god would become the ruler of the Inaba region, which came true. Reminders of this story abound in the Tottori area, and you will see the white rabbit on everything from bridges to sewer grates to flower arrangements, sometimes accompanied by a rather fat god carrying a big sack.

• 1 Tottori Sand Dunes (鳥取砂丘 Tottori sakyū), ☏ +81 857-26-7238. 24 hr; special activities typically begin at 09:00. 16 km from east to west, the Tottori Sand Dunes are a favorite target for climbing, exploring, and more. The main portion of the dunes are much smaller than 16km (about 2 km, east to west), but they can still be impressive. If you arrive very early in the morning, you can see the unique patterns carved by the wind before they get trampled by the scores of people who come to climb the biggest dune. If you'd prefer not to get sand in your shoes, a cable car ride (¥200 one way) leads to the Dune Observatory Center. After heavy rains, the oasis below the uma no se (the largest dune) forms into a beautiful lake. The ¥200 loop bus is the cheapest way of getting to the dunes from Tottori Station; the local bus will cost ¥360, or ¥310 if you stop at "kodomo no kuni" stop, where you can walk right away on the dunes from the west side. Free. 

Entrance to Tottori Castle Ruins

• 2 Tottori Castle Ruins, Higashi-cho, ☏ +81 857-22-3318. 24 hr. Built in 1545, Tottori Castle was destroyed in a massive siege in the 19th century, and only the foundations remain. The surrounding park is the perfect place to go during cherry-blossom season. The site offers a nice view of the city below from the lower reaches of Mt. Kyusho, or you can climb to the top for a view of the whole valley. Some locals say that the mountaintop is haunted by ghosts of people who were forced to resort to cannibalism during the siege of the castle. Free. 
• 3 Tottori Prefectural Museum (鳥取県立博物館, tottori-kenritsu hakubutsukan), 2-124 Higashi-cho, ☏ +81 857-26-8042. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. A two-story museum that displays the flora and fauna of Tottori, regional rocks and minerals, historical artifacts, festival and local cultural artifacts, and a variety of art produced in the city. (Most of the prehistoric artifacts are reproductions; most of the other displays are real, though.) Some of the standouts are the largest preserved squid in Japan and a live giant salamander. ¥180 adults, college students and under free. 

Jinpukaku Mansion

• 4 Jinpukaku Mansion (仁風閣), 2-121 Higashi-cho (10 minutes on the green bus from JR Tottori Station), ☏ +81 857-26-3595. Tu-Su. This French-style mansion was home to the remnants of the Edo-era feudal clan, Ikeda. ¥150.  
• 5 Kannon-in (観音院), ☏ +81 857-24-5641. 08:30-17:00. Constructed in 1632, this is the 32nd temple along the Chugoku 33 Kannon Temple Pilgrimage. While the temple does not look particularly special, the garden inside is what makes this such a great place to visit. The temple doors are removed upon entering so that you can sit and enjoy the beautiful pond garden from inside. The garden is quite peaceful, as the only sounds you can hear are the birds in the trees. It's easy to forget you're in a city. Entry with tea ¥600, without tea ¥300. 
• 6 Ochidani Shrine (樗谿神社), 87 Uemachi (¥100 bus to Ochidani Kouen Yamabikokan-mae), ☏ +81 857-22-3318. Built in 1650 by Mitsunaka Ikeda, the first lord of Tottori. The god worshipped here is the same worshipped at Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. It's a popular place to watch fireflies at night in the late summer. Free. 
• 7 Warabekan (Children's Museum) (わらべ館), 3-202 Nishimachi (5 minutes on the blue bus from JR Tottori Station), ☏ +81 857-22-7070. 09:00-17:00, closed 3rd W each month. This museum features a re-creation of an old school building and many interesting tin toys. Adults ¥500, high school students and younger free. 
• 8 Tottori Mingei Museum of Folkcrafts (鳥取民藝美術舘 tottori mingei bijutsukan), 651 Sakae-machi (25 minutes on the blue bus from JR Tottori Station), ☏ +81 857-26-2367. Th-Tu 10:00-17:00. Despite the name, this small, two story museum displays mainly pottery and glass, but also has some textiles, woodwork, and bamboo work. The Ushinotoyaki pottery is the highlight of the collection. Just outside the museum, there is a place (the hexagonal structure) to pray for and make offerings to deceased orphans. With the stained-glass, it has an interesting Christian-Buddhist fusion feel. ¥500 adults, free for students and elderly. 
• 9 Genchū-ji (玄忠寺), 176 Shinhonji-cho, ☏ +81 857-22-5294. 09:00-16:00. This temple is the site of the grave of Araki Mataemon, a legendary swordsman. In a famous story, he came to the aid of a man who was seeking in vengeance; the actual sword he used is displayed on the temple grounds. Rakan (paintings of high ranking Buddhists) are painted on the fusuma (screen doors) inside the temple by Keitaro Takagi. While traditional priest paintings are stoic, these paintings are quite candid, with rather comical appearances. ¥300. 
• 10 Tottori City History Museum (やまびこ館), 88 Uemachi, ☏ +81 857-23-2140. 09:00-17:00. Interactive multimedia and digital displays about the city's history and culture. It's about 15 minutes on the red bus from JR Tottori Station. ¥500 adults, high school and under free. 

Outside the city center

• 11 Aoya Kamijichi Site Museum (青谷上寺地遺跡展示館 aoya kamijichi iseki tenjikan), 4064 Aoya, Aoya-cho (30-40 minutes and ¥410 by San'in Line Local or Rapid train from Tottori to Aoya, then 5 minutes walk), ☏ +81 857-85-0841. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30). One of Japan's most famous archaeological sites. Thousands of Yayoi Period relics were excavated here, including human remains, and even tissue from 3 brains (out of only 6 in the world). The artifacts indicate that the settlement here was involved in trade with much of Western Japan, Korea, and even China. Free. (updated Jan 2019)
• 12 Hakuto Shrine (白兎神社, hakuto-jinja), 603 Hakuto (40 minutes and ¥600 by bus (Shikano Line) from Tottori Station Stop 5 to Hakuto-jinja-mae, then 5 minutes walk. This bus can also be taken from Hamamura Station (15 minutes and ¥420)). Hakuto Shrine is the shrine of the Inaba rabbit. The rabbit is said to have washed itself in the shrine's pond. (updated Jan 2019)
• 13 Man-yō History Pavilion, 726 Machiya, Kokufu-cho (30 minutes and ¥320 by bus (Nakagawara Line) from Tottori Station Stop 3 to Inaba-Manyō-Rekishikan-Iriguchi, then 5 minutes walk. Some buses go to Inaba-Manyō-Rekishikan, right outside the museum), ☏ +81 857-26-1780. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30). Located in Kokufu-cho, this museum houses many Inaba-area artifacts from the Nara and Heian eras. Adults ¥300, free for seniors, high school students, and children. (updated Jan 2019)
• 14 Kawahara Castle (河原城, Kawahara-jō), 1011 Tanihitotsugi, Kawahara-cho (30 minutes and ¥510 by bus (towards Mochigase) from Tottori Station Stop 9 to Kawahara, then 15 minutes walk up the hill. This bus can also be taken from Kunifusa Station (head down to Route 53; 10 minutes and ¥260)), ☏ +81 858-85-0046. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00 (Apr-Sep: Sa to 21:00). About 12 km south of central Tottori, near where the Hatto River joins the Sendai River, the castle offers a spectacular view. It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi stopped here and dreamed about a peaceful, united Japan prior to uniting the nation himself. The current observation tower (based on Inuyama Castle in Aichi Prefecture) was opened in 1994, and houses a modest museum. Free. (updated Jan 2019)
• 15 Nagashibina Doll Museum (流しびなの館, Nagashibina-no-yakata), 32-1 Mochigase-chō Befu (35 minutes and ¥410 by Imbi Line Local train from Tottori to Mochigase, then 7 minutes walk, just across the Sendai River. Alternatively, buses from Tottori Station Stop 9 take 40 minutes and ¥620), ☏ +81 858-87-3222. Th-Tu 09:00-17:00. Displays hina dolls (for girls) throughout history, mostly from the Edo-period. The museum is named after the 'doll floating' which takes place every spring on the Sendai River outside as part of Hina-matsuri (but using the old lunisolar calendar, so not March 3). Adults ¥300, free for junior high school students and children. (updated Jan 2019)
• 16 Saji Astro Park (さじアストロパーク), 1017-1 Takayama, Saji-cho (From Mochigase Station, 20 minutes and ¥200 by bus to Fukuzono-bashi, then 45 minutes walk up Prefectural Route 230. If you don't have a car, consider getting a taxi), ☏ +81 858-89-1011. Oct-Mar 09:00-21:00, Apr-Sep 09:00-22:00. Houses a planetarium and the largest telescope in Japan. ¥300 adults, ¥200 junior high students and younger. (updated Jan 2019)

Ube Shrine Honden

• 17 Shikano Castle Ruins (鹿野城, shikano-jō), 1517 Shikano-cho, Shikano (1 hour 15 minutes and ¥800 by Shikano Line bus from Tottori Station Stop 5 to Shikano-Tatemachi, then 15 minutes walk. This bus can also be taken from Hamamura Station (20 minutes and ¥380)), ☏ +81 857-84-2099. Enter anytime. Although none of the original castle remains, the inner and outer moats and stone columns can still be seen. It's most popular during cherry blossom season with approximately 500 trees scattered throughout the castle grounds. Free. (updated Jan 2019)
• 18 Ube Shrine (宇倍神社, ube-jinja), 651 Miyanoshita, Kokufu-cho (30 minutes and ¥280 by bus (Nakagawara Line) from Tottori Station Stop 3 to Miyanoshita, then 10 minutes walk up the hill), ☏ +81 857-22-3318. The first shrine to be built in the Inaba area, which consists of the entire eastern half of modern Tottori Prefecture. Praying at this shrine is believed to bestow fertility, long life, and wealth. Free. (updated Jan 2019)
• 19 Watanabe Museum (渡辺美術館, Watanabe Bijutsukan), 1-55-1 Tsutsumishita, Kakuji (15 minutes and ¥240 by bus (Sakyū Line) from Tottori Station Stop 0 to Watanabe-Bijutsukan-mae), ☏ +81 857-24-1152. M & W-F 10:00-15:00, Sa-Su 10:00-17:00. Opened in 1978 by the late Hajime Watanabe, a local doctor who began his collection when he was working in Taiwan in the 1940s. This museum houses a wild display of samurai armor and artifacts, as well as a selection of other things such as musical instruments and ukiyo-e woodblock prints. ¥900 adults, ¥500 high school and college students, ¥300 younger. (updated Jan 2019)

Do

• 1 Mt. Kyusho (久松山, Kyūshō-zan). Starting from the castle ruins, climbing takes around half an hour and offers a great view of the city and surrounding area, all the way out to the sand dunes. But watch out for the ghosts of those who starved at the top during the castle siege. (updated Apr 2016)
• 2 Tottori Hot Spring (鳥取温泉 Tottori onsen) (not far from JR Tottori Station). (updated Apr 2016)
• 3 Yoshioka Hot Spring (吉岡温泉 Yoshioka onsen) (25 minutes and ¥530 by Yoshioka Line bus from Tottori Station Stop 6). (updated Apr 2016)

Sand dunes

There's a lot to do at the sand dunes. Pay close attention to operating days and seasons, and make reservations before getting your heart set on a specific activity. For a vaguely Lawrence of Arabia experience, try a horse-drawn carriages ride.

• 4 Rakudaya (らくだや), 2164-806 Fukubecho, Yuyama, ☏ +81 857-23-1735. 09:00-17:00. Anyone who knows anything about sand dunes knows that they're meant to be traveled atop a camel. You'll find the camels by the main entrance in front of the lift. The actual riding time is quite brief. You may want to watch other riders make the 10-minute circuit before paying for a ride. Single rider ¥1800, double ¥3000, picture ¥500, includes dune entrance. 
• 5 Kyoto Air Sports, 283-6 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, ☏ +81 857-75-2282, +81 75-593-7979. Courses are offered daily from April through November. All-day hang gliding lessons suitable for beginners. Reservations required. ¥11,000. 
• 6 Zero Paraglider School (ゼロパラグライダースクール), 2164-806 Fukubecho Yuyama, ☏ +81 801-939-6640. Daily from late Mar to Nov. Half-day paragliding courses suitable for beginners, operated by professionals. If you've never tried paragliding, these sandy surfaces are a good place to start. Reservations required. ¥6500 for each half-day course. 
• 7 Tottori Sakyu Sandboard School (鳥取砂丘サンドボードスクール), 2164-806 Fukubecho, Yuyama, ☏ +81 857-30-1991. Th, Apr 15 to Nov 30. This is by far the best place in Japan to experience sandboarding. Each course lasts 2 hours, reservations required. There must also be at least 10 people signed up for that day, or the course will be cancelled. ¥2,500 per course. 

Beaches

With the Sea of Japan as its northern border, Tottori has some excellent beaches.

• 8 Hakuto Beach (白兎) (Just north of Hakuto Shrine), ☏ +81 857-26-0756. Famous for its association with the White Rabbit of Inaba; in fact, the name of the beach means "white rabbit". This beach was the rabbit's destination after his shark-hop. (updated Jan 2019)
• 9 Idegahama Beach (井手ヶ浜) (15 minutes walk west from Aoya Station. On weekdays, there are three buses a day on the Nagawase Line from Aoya Station (10 minutes and ¥210 to Ide-Iriguchi)), ☏ +81 857-85-0015. So nice the sand will sing to you (narisuna). The sand at Idegahama is made of silica, and when you walk on it, it makes a pleasant sound. The sand at Idegahama was even worshipped long ago because of the melodies that rang from the sand. To hear the sand at its best, come when it is hot. (updated Jan 2019)
• 10 Natsudomari Beach (30 minutes walk or 7 minutes drive north from Aoya Station), ☏ +81 857-22-3318. For more than 400 years, these waters have been worked by female divers with their own special method of fish-catching. If you are lucky, you may even see them today. (updated Jan 2019)
• 11 Uradome Beach (1 hour and ¥680 by bus from Tottori Station Stop 4 to Uradome-Kaigan-guchi, then 7 minutes walk north. This bus can also be taken from Iwami Station (7 minutes and ¥160)), ☏ +81 857-72-3481. Designated as a national park, the coast just east of the sand dunes is rugged and magnificent. (updated Jan 2019)

Festivals

Shan-Shan Matsuri

• Shan-Shan Festival (しゃんしゃん祭). Mid-August. More than 4,000 people participate in the parades of the "Inaba Umbrella Dance", using ornate umbrellas covered in bells and colorful strips of paper. Snap a photo of the over-sized one hanging year-round in the train station, as it is a symbol of this area. 
• Kirin Lion Dance. April. A traditional lion dance held at Ube Shrine, dedicated to the shrine's patron deities. 
• Tottori Sand Dune Illuminations. December. At the end of each year, the sand dunes are lit up at night, and on New Years Eve, there is a countdown to the New Year. 

Buy

Walking east from the station, you will find a string of small shops lining the main street to the right.

• 1 Daimaru (鳥取大丸), 2-151 Imamachi (just across the street from Tottori Station North Exit), ☏ +81 857-25-2111. 10:00-19:00. Five story department store just east of the station. Aside from the usual fashion, there's a food court in the basement and a rooftop family beer garden in the summer, with a tent for the rainy season. (updated Jan 2019)
• At the southeast corner of Sakaemachi, you will find a large two-story store in which everything for sale was made locally, including pottery, paper, clothing, dolls, and food.
• 2 ÆON Mall Tottori (イオン鳥取北ショッピングセンター), ☏ +81 857-38-3300. Opens at 09:00-17 and closes in stages between 22:00 and 23:00. West of the river, near the coast, sits this shopping area anchored by a large Aeon store, with some restaurants and specialty shops around as well. Buses run from JR Tottori Station (about 40 minutes). 
• 3 Katō Paper Shop (加藤紙店), Sakaemachi 609 (4 minutes walk from Tottori Station North Exit, in the second block on the west side of Ekimae-dōri (Prefectural Route 25)), ☏ +81 857-23-1221. 10:00-18:20. The second floor of this otherwise ordinary stationery shop has a wonderful array of locally-produced washi (Japanese artisanal paper) in a variety of fibers, texture, colors, and prints. (updated Jan 2019)

Eat

Tottori is most famous for its pears; cookies, cakes, and other sweets are made from them. Have a look at the omiyage shop in the train station, at the local handcraft shop two blocks up the main street, or in the basement floor of Daimaru. Another local specialty is shallots, grown in huge fields out near the sand dunes and pickled for appetizers.

Crab and white squid are the best of the local catch.

There is a reasonable kaitenzushi (conveyor-belt sushi) restaurant, as well as other restaurants inside the Shamine department store in JR Tottori Station. A number of popular chain restaurants can be found in the city center, such as Wara Wara (笑笑), Doma Doma (どまどま), and Shirokiya (白木屋).

• 1 Cafe Source, 227 Yayoi-cho (10 minutes walk from Tottori Station North Exit: head down Ekimae Dōri towards the city hall, and it will be on the right between Sakaemachi crossing and Wakasa Bridge), ☏ +81 857-21-3457. noon-midnight. Classy atmosphere and tasty selections from an eclectic menu. If you're not up for a full meal, stop in for the drinks and desserts. Lunch sets from ¥850, dinner from ¥2950. (updated Jan 2019)
• 2 Karoichi Fish Market (鳥取港海鮮市場かろいち), 3-27-1 Nishi-cho, ☏ +81 857-38-8866. Most restaurants 11:00-16:00, 17:00-22:00. A large seafood market with a view of the coast. Among the several restaurants, Wakabayashi Sushi is good and cheap — an eight piece nigiri set is ¥700. It's inside the market near the right entrance. 

Drink

To find the main drinking district, which is an area about 2 blocks by 3 blocks, walk about two blocks up the main street from the train station, take a right and go down about a block. There are plenty of izakaya and small pubs.

• 1 Big Apple (ビッグアップル), 3-24-2 Koyama-cho higashi (A short walk north from JR Koyama Station, just off Route 9), ☏ +81 857-28-2413. Tu-Su 18:00-02:00. By day, Big Apple is a diner for the neighborhood's factory workers, but on weekend nights they often bring in DJs and clear the tables from the dance floor. 
• 2 DNA, 753 Suehiro Onsen-cho, ☏ +81 857-22-7005. Located in the heart of the entertainment area, DNA is the nightclub in Tottori. They have 3 rooms (main hall, dining & a VIP room) that can hold up to 250 people. Major events are held at the weekend, with international artists, while their mid-week schedule includes lower key events such as quiz nights, dance lessons, and fashion shows, with imported beers to enjoy. The owners are an English guy and an Israeli guy who have lived in Tottori for a decade, so they have good local info. 
• 3 Goldrush (ゴールドラッシュ), 178 Yayoi-cho, Okumura Bldg 2F, ☏ +81 857-20-2461. M-Sa 19:00-03:00. Country-western-style saloon in the backstreets of the drinking district. They are rumored to serve reasonable tacos. 
• Luz, 271-1 Suehiro-onsen-cho, ☏ +81 857-21-7567. Su-Th 11:00-23:00, F Sa 11:00-01:00. This place has nice African decor. Try the mamushi-shu, which is sake with a drowned viper snake inside. The Israelis who sell jewelry in front of the place can sometimes be a very valuable source of information. It's across from the Lawson. 

Sleep

Garden at Kannon-in, Tottori

Budget

• 1 Yanagijaya Campground (柳茶屋キャンプ場). Campsite right next to Kids' Land (こどもの国 Kodomo no kuni), west of the sand dunes. There are free showers in the Cycling Terminal building next door. Free. 
• 2 Oasis Minshuku (旅館 オアシス), 2083 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, ☏ +81 857-23-0227. A nice hotel just five minutes from the sand dunes. Rooms ¥4000; breakfast ¥500 extra, dinner as well ¥2500. 
• 3 Hotel National (ホテルナショナル), 159 Eirakuonsenchō (4 minutes walk from Tottori Station North Exit), ☏ +81 857-24-7511. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. nice clean business hotel just a few steps away from the station, rooms are comfortable, internet by LAN cable; staff is very friendly, breakfast for &yen300, this hotel has two buildings, one being cheaper than the other, but even there the room are large with aircon, bath and washlet Smoking rooms ¥4700, non-smoking rooms ¥4950. (updated Jan 2019)
• Ladies Inn Tottori (レディス イン 鳥取), 102-5 Eirakuonsen-cho, ☏ +81 857-23-8161. As the name says, this hotel is for women only. Coin laundry and Internet available. ¥4500-5300. 

Mid-range

• 4 Tottori City Hotel (鳥取シティホテル), 471 Ebisu-machi (10 minutes walk from Tottori Station North Exit: head down Ekimae Dōri towards the city hall, and turn right just after crossing Wakasa Bridge), ☏ +81 857-27-6211. Basic, no-frills business hotel, with a good location in the city center. Rooms from ¥4,700. (updated Jan 2019)
• 5 Hotel Alpha One Tottori (ホテルアルファーワン鳥取), 759 Suehiro-onsen-cho (5 minutes walk from Tottori Station North Exit), ☏ +81 857-29-9188. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Great hospitality and rooms bigger than average, with a good buffet breakfast. Rooms from ¥6,000. (updated Jan 2019)
• 6 Tōyoko Inn Tottori-eki Minami-guchi (東横イン鳥取駅南口), 2-153-3 Tomiyasu (2 minutes walk from Tottori Station South Exit), ☏ +81 857-36-1045. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Offers Internet in the lobby, PCs and color printer, coin operated washing machines, and free breakfast. Women may ask for a free cosmetics set. Every room has a television, air conditioner, green tea, and refrigerator. Rooms from ¥5,460 single, ¥7,560 double, ¥8,190 twin. (updated Jan 2019)
• 7 Tottori Washington Hotel Plaza (鳥取ワシントンホテルプラザ), 102 Higashihonjichō (3 minutes walk from Tottori Station North Exit: turn right, go past the kōban, and it is just across the first side street), ☏ +81 857-27-8111. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Good-sized rooms and a tasty buffet breakfast. Nice view from the upper floors, too. ¥6,900 and up. (updated Jan 2019)
• 8 Super Hotel Tottori Ekimae (スーパーホテル鳥取駅前), 5 Ogi-machi (3 minutes walk from Tottori Station South Exit), ☏ +81 857-22-9000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Business hotel with Internet access in the (small) rooms and a PC in the lobby. ¥5,280 single, ¥7,280 double. (updated Jan 2019)
• 9 Hotel Monarque Tottori (ホテルモナーク鳥取), 403 Eiraku-onsen-cho (6 minutes walk east from Tottori Station North Exit), ☏ +81 857-20-0101. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Impeccably clean rooms with a relaxing spa for guests. Rooms from ¥7,300. (updated Jan 2019)

Splurge

• 10 Hotel New Otani Tottori (ホテルニューオータニ鳥取), 2-153 Ima-machi (just across the street from Tottori Station North Exit, next to the Daimaru), ☏ +81 857-23-1111. Check-in: 14:00. Good business hotel with friendly, patient staff, but the meals are a bit overpriced. Singles from ¥10,450, twins and doubles from ¥20,790. (updated Jan 2019)

Connect

• 4 Jiyū Kūkan (自遊空間鳥取店), 5-206 Koyama-machi higashi, ☏ +81 857-32-2381. 24h. Also offers private booths, free drinks, and shower rooms; also karaoke, pool, darts, and even tatami "family rooms". It's a short walk to the right after exiting JR Koyama Station. ¥280 for 30 minutes, ¥1500 for eight hour 'overnight' pack. 

Go next

• Iwami — Famous for the picturesque Uradome Beach
• Misasa — Home to the mysterious cliff temple, Mitokusan Nageiredo and a nice hot spring.
• Kurayoshi — Home to a well-preserved historic district.
• Yurihama
• Daisen — A great place for hiking in the warm months and skiing in the winter.
• Wakasa — A nearby town with a nice ski resort.
• Chizu
• Tsuyama — One of the best places in the entire Chugoku region to view cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall.
• Okayama — Famous for its historic Kibi region, Momotaro, and Korakuen Garden, of Japan's top three gardens.
• Many of Tottori prefecture's famous hot springs are easily accessible as day trips: Togo Hot Spring in Togo-cho, Shikano Hot Spring in Shikano-cho, Iwami Hot Spring, Hamamura Hot Spring in Ketaka-cho, Sekigane Hot Spring in Sekigane-cho, Hawai Hot Spring in Hawai-cho

Routes through Tottori

Yonago ← Yurihama ←

W  E

→ Shinonsen → Kyoto