By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Li Meishe
Travelers planning to explore the San'in region of Japan are in for a treat. West Japan Railway will soon launch a new JR WEST RAIL PASS — the San’in & Okayama Area Pass. This pass allows unlimited travel within Tottori, Shimane, and Okayama prefectures for three consecutive days. The San'in region not only hosts the largest summer festival in Okayama, the Momotaro Festival, but also features numerous attractions related to the popular manga character Kitaro. In Sakaiminato City, Tottori, many statues of manga characters have been erected in honor of Shigeru Mizuki, the legendary manga artist who created Kitaro. There’s even a Yokai (monster/ghost) Shrine, and shops themed around yokai. The Shigeru Mizuki Memorial Museum, centered on the best-selling Kitaro manga, has become a major attraction in Tottori Prefecture. Visitors can show their passport and short-term stay certificate to enjoy a ticket discount of over 50% when visiting the museum.
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Sakaiminato City in Tottori, the hometown of Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of the popular manga “Kitaro.” (Image source / Mook Editorial Department)
The San’in & Okayama Area Pass is a limited-time ticket offer designed for travelers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. It will be available from July 1 this year until February 28, 2014 (sales end on February 26, 2014). Passengers can purchase the pass at the Midori-no-Madoguchi (green ticket windows) at Yonago, Matsue, Sakaiminato, and Okayama stations by presenting a short-term stay certificate. Alternatively, travelers can buy exchange vouchers in advance from major travel agencies in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or South Korea, and then exchange them for the actual rail pass at the aforementioned stations. This pass offers unlimited rides on limited express, rapid, and local trains within the three prefectures of Okayama, Shimane, and Tottori, along with discounted entry to some tourist attractions.
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Tottori City’s 1,000 Yen Taxi Program, valid for three hours for 1,000 yen (Image source / Mook Editorial Department)
Travelers heading to the Tottori area can also take advantage of the Tottori City 1,000 Yen Taxi program, launched by Tottori Prefecture for international tourists. This service can be applied for at the Foreigner Service Counter at Tottori Station, where staff can communicate in both Chinese and English. The Tottori City 1,000 Yen Taxi allows passengers to get on and off the same taxi as many times as they want within three hours, all for just 1,000 yen — essentially giving you your own private car for the price of a single taxi ride. Some taxi drivers are also certified as Tottori Tourism Experts and can act as local guides to help visitors discover the wonders of Tottori Prefecture.
Additionally, the largest summer festival in Okayama this year — the Momotaro Festival — will be held on August 3 and 4 along the Asahigawa River in Okayama. Don’t miss out on this lively and spooky festival, and be sure to make good use of the San’in & Okayama Area Pass for great travel deals.
● Read more: Okayama Momotaro Festival – Gorgeous Girls in Ghost Costumes Dance Up a Storm
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