A Japanese-style mini-trip blending mountains, seas, ghosts, and truths:: Tottori and Hyogo

Turn your back on Tokyo, and fashion can be momentarily set aside

Travel far from Kyoto, where tradition doesn’t have to be so pronounced

Step into Tottori, where you’ll encounter ghosts and truths by the Sea of Japan

Visit Hyogo, where a series of open-air hot springs warms the traveler’s heart

This is a quaint and tranquil Japanese-style mini-trip... ...

 

Have you ever seen such a TV scene — the serene coastline of the Sea of Japan, waves gently lapping onto a quiet sandy beach that stretches endlessly; the camera gradually rises, and the beach, vast as far as the eye can see, turns into a desert, with camels strolling along the dunes, while human figures gradually fade into the distance... Far away in the San’in region lies Tottori Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan. Though geographically remote, this also helps preserve Tottori’s beauty. Delve deeper into Tottori, and an experience full of surprises and wonders begins.

If you haven’t been there, you might find it hard to believe that there is a desert-like area in Japan. Located in western Honshu, Tottori’s sand dunes face the Sea of Japan. Shaped over the years by sea breezes, they form vast dune landscapes that stretch from the coast, resembling a desert. The wind sculpts the dunes into various forms — curves like crescent moons, ridges like mountain ranges — and this expansive sandy terrain has become the most iconic image of Tottori.

At the Tottori Sand Dunes, besides enjoying the visual spectacle, you can also experience the thrill of “sandboarding.” Local operators offer sandboarding activities on nearly 90-degree high dunes. After strapping on a sandboard, gaze at the small islands offshore and take a thrilling slide down — you can challenge the speed while also appreciating the majestic beauty of the dunes. For those not daring enough to take on the challenge, there are also options to leisurely stroll or ride horses or camels across the dunes. Visiting at dusk offers a beautiful view of the sunset, sand dunes, and the Sea of Japan blending together！

Besides the sand dunes, Tottori has another “celebrity” that attracts visitors — it’s the birthplace of three renowned manga artists: Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro; Gosho Aoyama, creator of Detective Conan; and Jiro Taniguchi, creator of A Distant Neighborhood. The fame of these three manga masters has added vibrant colors to Tottori.

 

The hometown of Japan’s pioneer of ghost manga, Shigeru Mizuki, is in Sakaiminato, Tottori. Sakaiminato has become a place “filled with spirit,” and taking the Kitaro Train into town leads you straight to the Monster Street, lined with various monsters from Mizuki’s works, standing or sitting along both sides of the street. The most popular are the statues of Kitaro and Nezumi Otoko. The entire street is filled with GeGeGe no Kitaro and monster-themed merchandise, and even offers fun foods like Kitaro coffee, Kitaro ramen, steamed buns, and bread. At the end of the Monster Street is the Mizuki Shigeru Museum, which displays the author’s works and manuscripts. The most impressive part is the Monster Room, where the creatures from Mizuki’s “The Great Yokai Encyclopedia” are brought to life in 3D — a terrifying yet fascinating experience you won’t forget.

 

The hometown of the wildly popular Detective Conan in Taiwan, created by Gosho Aoyama, is Niigata Town. Here, the Aoyama Gosho’s Hometown Museum has been established. From Conan Street, with manga character statues lining both sides, the yellow Beetle car belonging to Dr. Agasa parked at the entrance, to the statues of Conan, Shinichi, and Ran inside the museum, all deeply resonate with manga fans. The most unique feature is that upon entering, you receive a “test paper.” By following the guided tour and answering the questions, you can find the answers, and if you pass the quiz, you can even receive a small prize. On the second floor, there is an interactive area where you can try out games like using a bowtie voice changer or solving mysteries.