By Lambe Lamis 
Table of Contents
Touring to Tottori, probably the most far flung prefecture in Japan, is like stepping out into the technicolor international of The Wizard of Oz.. It’s disorienting.
Japan is a rustic well-known for lots of issues: temples, shrines, sumo wrestling, the sector’s largest sushi, Nice Buddhas, and a penchant for robots and puppy cafes. It’s an island country identified for surprising mountains, meditative gardens, cherry blossom season, and herbal sizzling springs.
However sand dunes?
Quite a lot of eyebrows will carry in wonder. However that’s one of the vital leader joys of taking the time to trip round Japan – it is a nation bursting with sudden surprises. Tottori is Japan’s maximum rural house. With lower than 150,000 citizens, it’s the least populated of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Situated at the Western Coast of Japan, Tottori is understood for its nashi (Eastern pears) and Matsubi snow crab.
Make no mistake, it takes making plans and energy to get to this a part of Japan. It indubitably calls for an even quantity of self belief. Alternatively, those that courageous a adventure to Tottori, Japan, will to find an atmosphere not like some other.
Listed here are six memorable stories to check out when you challenge to Tottori.
1. Discuss with the Sand Dunes
Tottori is most renowned for its 1-mile extensive, 9-mile lengthy stretch of sand dunes. Who would have concept a rustic with a well-defined wet season and luscious inexperienced rice fields would even have a wilderness?
The Tottori sankyu (sand dunes) have been shaped over 100,000 years in the past courtesy of sediment from the Chugoku mountains deposited through the Sendaigawa River. The realm’s distinctive options led to its classification in 2015 as an legit UNESCO International Geopark. After mountain climbing up the steps of the primary sand dune, guests are rewarded through the sight of golden-hued sand dunes set in opposition to the deep blue ocean. It’s not anything in need of magical.
The Eastern exercised cleverness and humor in deciding make the most efficient use of all that sand. They got here up with two extremely imaginative answers:
- They created the Tottori Sand Museum, the sector’s first museum faithful completely to sand sculpture artwork.
- They usually designated a particular portion of the dunes for camel driving.
2. Experience a Camel
Those that have a burning and insatiable need to trip a camel in Asia can achieve this in nice taste in Tottori. The cost for the privilege varies in keeping with the extent of interplay you wish to have to have with the camel. Merely taking an image of (or through) the camel prices ¥100. The cost to take a photograph whilst on a desk bound camel is ¥600. And if you want to trip the camel on a chosen three-minute path, the associated fee is ¥1500.
The Eastern are identified for his or her devotion to cleanliness and order. The method for camel driving displays their appreciation for construction. After paying the associated fee for the carrier you wish to have, you’re passed a color-coded price tag. It does now not subject in case you are the one particular person in line; you’ll nonetheless get a price tag.
After sanitizing your arms and presenting your price tag, you’re directed to a blank and fine-looking camel. Those that have ridden camels within the Heart East and North Africa is also accustomed to the phenomenal steadiness a rider has to have if boarding a camel from a reclining place.
The Eastern keep away from all awkwardness through protecting the camel upright and having visitors mount it from a desk bound increased platform.
Whilst Japan nonetheless these days operates underneath strict COVID insurance policies, and the majority of Eastern nonetheless put on mask in public, exceptions are made for visitors driving the camel. In popularity of the truth that camel driving is a BIG DEAL and that folks like to take selfies, visitors are allowed to take away their mask.
Some is also a bit of dissatisfied that the camel follows a chosen and really quick path this is over in lower than 5 mins. Alternatively, the wonderful thing about the surroundings itself and the newness of a camel trip in Japan is such that I doubt any unhappiness can ultimate lengthy.
Be aware: The camels appear robust, wholesome, and well-cared for. The Eastern have very strict laws in position governing passenger weight boundaries, and so they additional give protection to the camels through proscribing the selection of rides consistent with day.
3. Go back and forth Across the International on the Tottori Sand Museum
Japan is a country that loves museums. Living proof – Tottori has a PEAR museum no more than 5 miles from the sand dunes. Given Japan’s love for shows and collections, it makes very best sense they might come to a decision to build a facility devoted completely to sand sculptures. Whilst you’ve were given it, flaunt it.
Once a year, the sector’s largest sand artists are invited to Tottori to create paintings evolved round a central theme – “Go back and forth Across the International in Sand.” Every yr’s theme makes a speciality of a special nation/area and a particular generation. The international locations that experience up to now been decided on come with Nordic international locations, Africa, South The usa, Russia, the U.S., and U.Ok. The 2022 show off theme facilities on scenes from historical Egypt.
Twenty artists hailing from 11 international locations created paintings that leaves folks shocked through the extremely detailed craftsmanship and through the sheer scope of the artists’ imaginative and prescient. Guests can appreciate the painstaking paintings from the bottom ground and notice the whole impact through mountain climbing to the 3rd ground indoor balcony.
There could also be an outside sand show off with sculptures secure from the weather through a tarp. Alternatively, the most efficient sculptures are the ones which are on the indoor facility.
The Tottori Sand Museum went all in on growing an immersive enjoy, the usage of virtual monitors, lighting fixtures, and tune to create a unique surroundings.
4. Pattern A few of The Well-known Culinary Specialties of Tottori
Tottori’s well-known Matsubi snow crab is to be had all through the wintry weather months, from early November to early March. The crab is hauled from the deep waters of the Sea of Japan and is known for its candy and attractive meat.
Mid-August to November is the high pear-picking season. Tottori produces extra nashi than some other prefecture in Japan. There’s actually a “Pear Street” and pear museum devoted to the fruit. Along with discovering diversifications of pear in nearly each and every pastry and dessert, guests can pick out their very own fruit at native orchards.
The Eastern pears are decadent and ultra-juicy. The fruit makes for a scrumptious deal with, whether or not you consume them at the spot or as a compote atop a cup of soppy cream.
5. Discuss with Hakuto Shrine
Hakuto Shrine is intently intertwined with the legend of the White Rabbit. In step with the legend, a white rabbit on an island positioned a big gamble with a gaggle of sharks as to which species had the better quantity. When the sharks assembled in a line to be counted, the white rabbit hopped around the water on their surfaced backs. Sadly, the rabbit made the error of bragging about his trick to the sharks sooner than he used to be safely ashore. The infuriated sharks tore the rabbit up.
Thankfully, the white rabbit got here around the god Okuninushi. The god took pity at the pitiful creature and equipped instruction as to how the rabbit may just repair its fur. Filled with gratitude, the white rabbit gave the god a matchmaking prediction on his long run spouse.
Therefore, Hakuto Shrine has an abundance of rabbit statues positioned at the trail main as much as the shrine. In response to its affiliation with matchmaking and love, it stays a very talked-about position for sweethearts and newlyweds to seek advice from.
6. Go back and forth Like a VIP in a Tottori Vacationer Taxi
As a far flung house of Japan, a lot of Tottori’s best sights are situated 10-20 mins from central lodges. So that you could inspire tourism, Tottori’s tourism board created a novel program referred to as the “Vacationer Taxi.”
Listening to that word will inadvertently depart a bitter style for some. Many vacationers have had horrific stories in a foreign country in taxis that overcharged or the place surly drivers took useless routes to pad the fare.
Relaxation confident, Tottori’s Vacationer Taxi program is the polar reverse of a rip-off. That is Japan.
The tourism initiative program used to be created underneath the idea that vacationers who don’t force would have issue experiencing all Tottori has to provide and not using a automobile. Moreover, public transportation to sure spaces runs irregularly. Some towns would select to shrug off the difficulties a foreigner would have getting round. No longer Tottori. This prefecture desires to be noticed and cherished.
For ¥3000 ($20.75), overseas guests can hire a spotless taxi – that includes a qualified approved motive force – for THREE HOURS as they seek advice from the world’s maximum loved landmarks. It’s an out of this world deal.
To ebook a vacationer taxi, merely head to the Vacationer Knowledge Heart situated outdoor the teach station and select the set path you wish to have to take from a brochure. There are lots of other diversifications to make a choice from, starting from “Historic” to “Handicrafts and Arts.”
After finishing a vacationer registration shape and voucher, one of the vital personnel will make a choice to the taxi corporate. A well attired motive force arrives inside mins. The vacationer personnel will tell the motive force of your variety, and the motive force takes you to the designated puts. As soon as the excursion is whole, you pay ¥3000 at once to the motive force.
BONUS Spherical. 6. Discuss with The Maximum Bad Nationwide Treasure in Japan
The bodily are compatible and vacationers yearning cast jolts of adrenaline may imagine a hike to Nageiredo, a Buddhist temple on Mt. Mitoku. The trustworthy have a 1300-year historical past of visiting this sacred wood temple erected at the aspect of Mt. Mitoku, which is on the market most effective through the usage of mounted iron chains to lend a hand navigate up the slippery rocks.
Price noting: this actual pilgrimage is unhealthy sufficient that you’re requested to trip with someone else. The Tottori Vacationer Taxi does NOT (at this time) pass to Nageiredo. Guests are required to put on sure shoes, and in case your sneakers are decided to not have the important traction, you can be requested to put on waraji (straw) sandals. Visits to the temple may also be secured within the match the elements is dangerous.
Know sooner than you pass
Those that are prone to experience Tottori probably the most are those that are searching for a smash from fast moving town lifestyles or most likely are recuperating from a temple/shrine seek advice from overload. Touring from Tokyo, probably the most populated town on the planet with a inhabitants of 37 million, to Tottori used to be one thing of a surprise.
Whilst there are direct flights from Tokyo to Tottori, the adventure throughout the other geographic spaces is so gorgeous that it’s value taking into account touring through rail. If touring from Tokyo, be expecting a five-hour rail adventure through Shinkansen and categorical teach.
As a result of Tottori is a small prefecture, lodges have a tendency to replenish in no time at the weekends. As such, the most efficient time to trip is all through the weekdays, when blank, at ease rooms close to a teach station may also be booked for less than $50.
Tipping is a commonplace observe in many nations. In Japan, tipping is regarded as an insult, and any try to give a tip will most probably lead to confusion. If you wish to categorical your gratitude, the most efficient factor to do is be informed a couple of phrases in Eastern and thank them sincerely.
In spite of everything, even if it’s at all times a good suggestion to be informed a couple of phrases within the native language, even a amateur can safely get round in Tottori.
I’ve a robust droop that Tottori’s easy, distinctive, and unpretentious attraction is most effective going to keep growing.
