Exploring Tottori

This week, we went on what we are calling “our great roundtrip”, attempting to cram in as many sights as possible before leaving the country. We started out on the West coast, in Tottori (鳥取). While the town of Tottori is a little inland and is notable for its hot springs, the main touristic attraction is the giant sand dune on the coast, the Tottori Sakyu. Sloping down into a valley and then rising up steeply, the dune dwarfs the visitors to scrambling ants. You could fancy yourself in the middle of the desert if it weren’t for the blue Japan Sea stretching out below on the other side of the dune. Certainly a striking formation worth a visit.

The Picturesque Uradome Kaigan

From the dune on, the Sanin Coast stretching from there until Kyoto prefecture is designated a Geopark and is notable for its picturesque beauty. We visited the Uradome Kaigan, some 45 minutes by bus up the coast from Tottori City. We discovered that it is not only scenic, but perfect for bathing! The fine white sands descend very gradually into the crystal clear and warm water which is of a pale bottle green. Easily the best beach I have been to in Japan. Apart from the coast itself, also the wooded hills rising from lush green rice fields just inland make for an attractive landscape. I have to say that Japan’s West coast is greatly underrated. I’m only sorry to have discovered it so late!

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