A Whimsical Japanese Journey of Mountains, Seas, Ghosts, and Truths::Tottori & Hyogo

Turn your back on Tokyo, and momentarily set fashion aside

Walk away from Kyoto, where tradition isn’t so pronounced

Step into Tottori and be surprised by ghosts and truths by the Sea of Japan

Explore Hyogo, where hot spring after hot spring warms the traveler’s heart

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

 

There was once such a TV scene: the serene coastline of the Sea of Japan, with waves gently lapping onto a tranquil sandy beach, stretching endlessly into the distance; as the camera gradually pans upward, the beach, vast as far as the eye can see, turns into a desert, and along the ridges of the desert, camels stroll by while human figures gradually fade away... Far away in the San’in region, Tottori Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan. Though geographically remote, this also helps preserve Tottori’s beauty. Delving deep into Tottori, a series of surprising and marvelous experiences begin.

If you haven’t been there in person, you’d hardly believe that there’s a desert-like area in Japan. Located in western Honshu, Tottori’s sand dunes face the Sea of Japan. Shaped by years of sea breeze, they have formed vast dune landscapes. Stretching from the coast upward like a desert, the sea breeze sculpts the dunes into various forms—curves like crescent moons, ridges like mountain ranges—and this expansive sandy terrain has become one of Tottori’s most iconic features.

At Tottori Sand Dunes, beyond admiring the view, you can also experience the thrill of “sand surfing.” Local operators offer sand surfing activities on slopes nearly 90 degrees steep. After strapping on a sandboard, gaze at the small islands offshore and take a thrilling slide down, challenging the speed while also appreciating the majestic beauty of the dunes. For those not daring enough to try the slide, there are also leisurely horseback or camel rides across the dunes. Visiting at dusk allows you to witness the beautiful scene of the sunset, dunes, and Sea of Japan intertwined！

Besides the sand dunes, Tottori also has another “celebrity” that attracts visitors. Tottori “produced” 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 legendary manga artists has added a vibrant touch 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.” Riding the Kitaro train into Sakaiminato, you’re greeted by an entire Monster Street, lined with various monsters from Shigeru Mizuki’s works, sitting or standing along both sides of the street. The most popular are the statues of Kitaro and Nezumi Otoko. The whole street sells all kinds of goods related to Kitaro and monsters, even featuring fun foods like Kitaro coffee, Kitaro ramen, steamed buns, and bread. At the end of Monster Street is the Shigeru Mizuki Memorial Museum, displaying the author’s works and manuscripts. The most impressive is the Monster Room, which brings to life the three-dimensional versions of the monsters from Mizuki’s The Great Yokai Encyclopedia—a terrifying yet fascinating experience you won’t forget.

 

The hometown of Taiwan-beloved Detective Conan author Gosho Aoyama is in Hokuei Town. Here, the Gosho Aoyama Manga Museum is also established. From Conan Street, with manga character statues lining both sides, the yellow Beetle parked at the entrance belonging to Dr. Agasa, to the statues of Conan, Shinichi, and Ran inside the museum—all deeply resonate with manga fans. The most special feature at the museum is that upon entering, you receive a “test paper.” By following the guided tour and answering questions, you’ll find the answers, and if you pass the quiz, you can even receive a small prize. On the second floor, there’s an interactive area where you can experience games like using the bowtie voice changer or taking on puzzle challenges.