JP · Tottori Prefecture · 35.50°N 134.23°E

tottori

Wind-shaped sand dunes above the sea, giant sand sculptures and winter crab.

Best time
April–May and October–November are comfortable on the open dunes. July–August sand gets very hot; winter is windy, with some snow, but it's crab season.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Osaka Kansai (about 6.5 hours). The Super Hakuto limited express from Osaka reaches Tottori in about 2.5 hours, then it's about 20 minutes by bus to the dunes. Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Tottori Prefecturetottori35.50°N 134.23°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Wind-shaped sand dunes above the sea, giant sand sculptures and winter crab.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingTottoriJP, Tottori Prefecture
KLtottori
≈ 4,913 km from KL, as the crow flies
Tottori Sakyu ( Tottori Sand Dune ) in Tottori Prefecture, Japan

Photo: Hashi photo · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small city on the Sea of Japan whose big sight is the Tottori Sand Dunes, a long sweep of sand above the sea. It's a quiet, easy base for the dunes, the rocky coast and winter crab.

Makan

  1. Matsuba crabSnow crab, the winter speciality from November to March, boiled, grilled or in hotpot.Map ↗
  2. Nashi pearsCrisp, juicy Asian pears; the 20th Century variety is Tottori's own.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Tottori Sand DunesSand ridges up to about 50 metres high with the sea beyond. Camel rides and sandboarding are on offer.Map ↗
  2. The Sand MuseumHuge sand sculptures on a different world theme each year, next to the dunes.Map ↗
  3. Uradome CoastRocky islets and clear coves east of the dunes, best seen from a small sightseeing boat.Map ↗
  4. Jinpukaku and the castle ruinsA white Western-style mansion below the stone walls of the old castle.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The Sand Museum closes for a few months between exhibitions, usually from early January to April.
  • The climb up the main dune is steeper than it looks. Sandals or shoes you can empty are best.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.