One of Japan’s Pokémon Go sacred sites – Tottori Dunes has over 100 PokéStops

▲ Tottori Dunes at night becomes lively and beautiful thanks to Pokémon. (Photo provided by Takashi Karaki)

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Located in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, Tottori Dunes is not only the largest sand dune in the country but also a “Pokémon-catching paradise” for players, as it alone features 87 PokéStops, and with additional nearby ones, the total exceeds 100. Could it be that Tottori Dunes has an unusually high number of collaborations with The Pokémon Company?

It turns out that there are many monitoring points (poles) in the dune area that track the movement of sand. Previously, Ingress players applied to have them designated as PokéStops. When Pokémon Go launched in July, these locations instantly became in-game PokéStops, totaling as many as 87. Coupled with other landmark PokéStops, the Tottori Dunes area now boasts over 100 PokéStops, making it one of Japan’s Pokémon Go sacred sites. Since the dunes can get quite hot during the day, many players gather here at night to stock up and catch Pokémon. Japanese photographer Takashi Karaki captured the vibrant nighttime scene, with players’ phones glowing brightly against the black sands.


▲ Tottori Dunes is packed with PokéStops. (Photo captured from the Pokémon Go game screen / Provided by Tottori Prefecture)

Tottori Prefecture also took the opportunity in July to promote the area as a “game liberation zone” and “the safest place to catch Pokémon,” since playing on the dunes doesn’t disturb others, and falling on the sand isn’t likely to cause injury. Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai actively encourages everyone to come to Tottori Dunes to play Pokémon Go.


▲ The appearance of Tottori Dunes during the day. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)