Even though it’s not too far from Honshu heavyweights such as Kyoto and Himeji, Japan’s least-populated prefecture is often overlooked. However, Tottori Prefecture has some incredible natural sights and things to do. Facing the Sea of Japan, the Tottori Sand Dunes are a major attraction: you can explore these 100,000-year-old mountains of golden sand on foot or by camel. Plus, swimming and snorkeling on the Uradome Coastline and hiking on volcanic Mt. Daisen mean it’s worth going out of your way to visit Tottori Prefecture.
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the best times to visit Tottori Prefecture; these are the traditional high seasons for travel to Japan. Tottori Prefecture has hot, humid summers, but Tottori’s beaches and mountains are perfect for cooling off. Winters are especially harsh on the Sea of Japan coast so expect more snow than on the opposite coast of Honshu during a winter visit.
Like the rest of Japan, you can get around Tottori on regular and high-speed trains supplemented by buses. Buses are harder for non-Japanese speakers or readers to navigate, but are still fairly accessible; they’re usually the only way to reach smaller towns unless you’re driving. Get to Tottori by flying or catching the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, then take the Limited Express Super Hakuto or Hamakaze trains the rest of the way.
While Japanese cuisine is heavy on seafood (you can find excellent crab in Tottori), meat lovers will especially enjoy the prefecture. Beef is raised in the largely rural region, and Tottori hamburgers are especially fresh and popular, as well as beef-bone ramen (look for gyukotsu ramen). Tottori also has its own beloved chain of coffee shops, Sunaba Coffee (sunaba means sandbox).
