Tottori was one of the more unusual stops on our 23 day slow travel route through western Japan. After a few quieter places along the Sanin Line, it was also the first time in weeks that we noticed more tourists around again.
We stayed for 2 nights, which gave us enough time to see the famous Tottori Sand Dunes, visit the Sand Museum, eat well near the station, and enjoy a slower stop before continuing our journey.
Tottori is not a city packed with endless sights, but it does have one very clear reason to visit: the dunes. Huge sand dunes rolling down towards the sea are not something you expect to find in Japan, and that alone makes Tottori feel different from anywhere else we visited.
Where We Stayed in Tottori
We stayed at Tottori Washington Hotel Plaza.
The location was the main reason we chose it. It is close to Tottori Station, which made arriving by train, catching buses, and leaving again very easy. For a short 2-night stop, being near the station worked perfectly.
Why Visit Tottori?
The main reason to visit Tottori is the sand dunes. They are the largest sand dunes in Japan, and they sit right beside the Sea of Japan, which makes the landscape feel surprisingly dramatic.
But the dunes are not the only reason to go. The Sand Museum is genuinely impressive, especially if you visit before walking out to the dunes themselves. We also found Tottori easy to use as a short, practical stop on our slow train route through western Japan.
It felt busier than some of the smaller towns we had visited before it, but still calm compared with Japan’s major tourist cities.
Things to Do in Tottori
Visit the Tottori Sand Museum
The Tottori Sand Museum was much better than we expected. It is an indoor museum filled with huge sand sculptures, and the detail is seriously impressive.
When we visited, the exhibition theme was Japan, which felt like a perfect fit for the trip. The theme changes regularly, so it is worth checking what is on before you go. The official Sand Museum website says the museum usually runs one main exhibition theme each year, with the display open from spring until early January before closing for the next exhibition changeover.
Adult entry is currently listed as ¥800, with student tickets at ¥400, according to the official Sand Museum information page.
Walk Across the Tottori Sand Dunes
After the museum, cross the road and walk over to the Tottori Sand Dunes.
The dunes are, well, sand dunes — but sand dunes that roll all the way down towards the sea, which is what makes them special. It is a strange and slightly surreal landscape, especially in Japan, where so much of our route had been towns, mountains, rivers and old streets.
You can walk up and across the dunes, then down towards the beach if you want to. Just remember that sand is much harder work than it looks, especially if the weather is hot.
We would recommend going early. By late morning, the dunes were already getting busier, so the early bus is worth it.
Stop at the Sakyu Center
We got off the bus at Sakyu Center, which is near the chairlift/cable car area above the dunes.
From there, you can walk down towards the Sand Museum first, then continue to the dunes afterwards. This worked well because it meant we visited the museum before the dunes got too busy.
Just make sure you check return bus times before wandering too far. Buses are not constant, and you do not want to finish at the dunes only to realise you have a long wait.
Try the Pear Shake at Tottori Station Starbucks
Tottori is famous for pears, and we somehow ended up at Starbucks at the station drinking a pear shake. Was it the most local, hidden, off-the-beaten-path experience in Japan? Absolutely not. Was it delicious? Yes.
If the pear shake is available when you visit, it is worth trying.
Google Maps: Starbucks Tottori Station
Where to Eat in Tottori
GyuTonBaKei Yakiniku
Our favourite food stop in Tottori was GyuTonBaKei Yakiniku.
It was a great local food joint: friendly, relaxed, and exactly the kind of place we love finding while travelling. The staff were super welcoming, and the food was excellent.
After a day out at the dunes, it made for a very good evening meal.
How to Get to Tottori Sand Dunes by Bus
The easiest way to reach the dunes without a car is by bus from Tottori Station.
When we visited, we took bus 39 from Tottori Station towards the dunes. The fare was ¥380, and the journey took around 30 minutes. We got off at Sakyu Center, which is useful if you want to start near the chairlift area and walk down towards the Sand Museum.
Official tourism information also lists buses from Tottori Station to the Sand Museum / dune area, with journey times around 20–30 minutes depending on the service. There is also a Loop Kirinjishi Bus on weekends and holidays, according to the official Tottori tourism site.
The important thing is this: there are not loads of buses.
Check your outbound and return times carefully before you go. We would suggest taking an early bus, visiting the Sand Museum first, then walking across to the dunes. Before you head too far into the sand, check what time you need to be back for the return bus.
Suggested Half-Day Route to the Dunes
This is the route we would suggest:
- Take an early bus from Tottori Station.
- Get off at Sakyu Center.
- Walk down to the Sand Museum.
- Visit the Sand Museum before it gets too busy.
- Exit near the lower/main entrance.
- Cross the road to the Tottori Sand Dunes.
- Walk across the dunes towards the sea.
- Return in time for your chosen bus back to Tottori Station.
This works well as a morning trip and leaves the afternoon free for food, coffee, or a slower wander around the station area.
How Many Days Do You Need in Tottori?
1 Day
One full day is enough if you only want to visit the Sand Museum and Tottori Sand Dunes. Arrive the night before or early in the morning, visit the dunes, then continue onwards.
2 Days
Two nights worked well for us. It gave us enough time to arrive without rushing, visit the dunes properly, eat locally, and continue our slow train route without making Tottori feel like a dash.
3+ Days
If you have more time, you could use Tottori as a base for exploring more of the coast, nearby temples, or other parts of eastern Tottori Prefecture. For our itinerary, though, 2 nights was enough.
Practical Tips for Visiting Tottori Sand Dunes
Go early if you can. The dunes can get busy by late morning.
Check bus times carefully. Services are not constant, and return timing matters.
Visit the Sand Museum before the dunes. It is indoors, structured, and easier to enjoy before you get sandy and tired.
Wear comfortable shoes. Sand is harder to walk on than it looks.
Bring water. There are facilities around the dune area, but once you are out walking, it is exposed.
Check the Sand Museum exhibition before visiting. The theme changes, and the museum closes between exhibition periods.
Be ready for wind. It is an open coastal sand area, so weather can make a big difference.
Final Thoughts on Tottori
Tottori was a worthwhile 2-night stop on our slow train route through western Japan. The city itself did not grab us in the same way as Matsue or Kurayoshi, but the dunes and Sand Museum made it memorable.
It is the kind of place that works best as part of a wider Sanin Line journey rather than a standalone city break. If you are travelling slowly through western Japan, Tottori gives you something completely different: sand, sea, sculpture, and a landscape you probably do not expect to find in Japan.
This stop was part of our wider route across western Japan. You can read the full journey here: 23 Day Japan Slow Travel Itinerary by Train
