The impression of Japan usually brings to mind bustling cities or tranquil rural life. I thought that was already a huge contrast, but after arriving in Tottori, I discovered there are sand dunes here too. They weren’t as barren as I imagined—there were even patches of greenery—but what surprised me most was that beyond the sand ridges laythevast,blue Sea of Japan.
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like a travel deity,I soared//as a beginner trying paragliding
Walking across the endlessTottori Sand Dunes, all you see is a muddy yellow horizon, making you feel like you're in a desert. The dunes, located in eastern Tottori Prefecture, are the largest in Japan. This natural wonder is formed from volcanic ash that fell from Mount Daisen and was shaped overa longspan of one hundred thousand years by the wind and waves of the Sea of Japan. Looking at the wind ripples on the ground,each lineresemblesthousands of snakes slithering across the surface—an absolutely spectacular sight. Don’t think that coming all this way only allows you to stroll the dunes; you can also ride camels, sandboard, or watch the sunset. On the day I visited, the great weather inspired me to go paragliding. Thanks to the deep 40meter-deep 50depressions and
meter-highsand hills that create steep elevation differences, visitors can experience the thrill of flying over the dunes.
The biggest challenge for this beginner’s paragliding attempt wasn’t courage, but physical strength. Right from the start, the instructor had me
carry a heavy paragliding backpack nearly half my height. Walking on flat sand was manageable, but when I saw the towering “sand wall” ahead, I almost wanted to quit. After struggling to climb to the top of the dune, the instructor immediately handed me a liability waiver to sign. Once I signed, he guided me on how to control the paraglider. Unlike what you might see on TV with someone flying alongside you, you’re entirely on your own, so everyone stays extra alert. As long as you learn four basic commands—takeoff, left-right balance, and pulling both hands down for an emergency landing—it’s not difficult. At that moment, despite my fear of heights, I started running nervously down the slope. Suddenly, my feet left the ground, and while the instructor shouted commands from behind, I panicked and tried to control everything myself. Fortunately, I landed safely in the end. Though the flight lasted just ten seconds and I didn’t even have time to enjoy the view of the dunes before landing, I still got to experience the freedom of flying.
Think it ends once you land? Sorry—now you have to fold up the paraglider and carry it back to the starting point.After traversing the vast sand dunes and looking back at the slow-moving human figures resembling ants, it’s a completely different vibe.Theinstructor (on the left) is Japan’s first-ever
paragliding instructor, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience. He may seem strict during lessons, but becomes quite playful afterward. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, you can still join in—simple
Many people enjoy drawing on the sand when they visit the beach, but drawing on the Tottori Sand Dunes has been legally prohibited as any form of sand art. This is because the time it takes for the dunes to recover after being drawn on depends on factors such as the moisture level of the sand and the wind conditions of the day, which can severely impact the natural landscape of the dunes!
Many people enjoy drawing on the sand when they visit the beach, but drawing on the Tottori Sand Dunes has been legally prohibited as any form of sand art. This is because the time it takes for the dunes to recover after being drawn on depends on factors such as the moisture level of the sand and the wind conditions of the day, which can severely impact the natural landscape of the dunes!
Tottori Sand Dunes
Address: Fukuoka Town, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Yamanoue2164-661
Opening Hours:24Hours
Phone:+81(0)857-22-3318
Website:http://www.torican.jp/chinese_hantai/sand-geopark
How to Get There: Take a bus fromJRTottori Station and get off at “Tottori Sand Dunes” after20minutes
Address: Fukuoka Town, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture Yamanoue2164-661
Opening Hours:24Hours
Phone:+81(0)857-22-3318
Website:http://www.torican.jp/chinese_hantai/sand-geopark
How to Get There: Take a bus fromJRTottori Station and get off at “Tottori Sand Dunes” after20minutes
Zero Paraglider School (Zero Paraglider School)
Address: 1155-36, 1-Chome, Hamazaka, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture
Availability: No classes available in summer
Content: Half-day experience
Cost: 7,500 yen per person
Nativity Scene//Sand Museum
Sand can be shaped into many forms, but having a dedicated museum and sand sculpture exhibition is truly rare. The “Sand10Museum,” just a minute’s drive from the Tottori Sand Dunes, has been immensely popular with visitors since it opened at the end of06the year, largely because its exhibition themes change annually — past themes have included international subjects like the Italian Renaissance and Germany.This year’s theme is South America, featuring incredibly lifelike sand sculptures created by top sand artists from around the world using sand from the Tottori Sand Dunes and clear water. Inside, you’ll find vivid sculptures depicting South American life, the Amazon rainforest, the Inca Empire, and even the iconic sky city of Machu Picchu. But the most impressive must be the giant head of Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer — not only majestic, but when viewed from another angle, you can see Christ with arms outstretched, an awe-inspiring sight!
Tottori Sand Dunes “Sand Museum”
Address: Yamanoue, Fukuoka Town, Tottori City2083-17
Admission Fee: Adults600yen
Website:http://www.sand-museum.jp
Address: Yamanoue, Fukuoka Town, Tottori City2083-17
Admission Fee: Adults600yen
Website:http://www.sand-museum.jp
Useful Information
How to Get to Tottori Prefecture:
You can take a direct round-trip flight between Hong Kong and Tottori's Yonago Airport operated by Hong Kong Airlines. Flights depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays — leaving at noon and returning in the evening, so the schedule isn’t too rushed. Currently, economy round-trip tickets start fromHK$1,650only(excluding taxes), and include20KGchecked baggage. At this price, flying to Japan is a great deal!
HX6650Hong Kong> Yonago12:05/16:10
HX6651Yonago>Hong Kong 17:10/19:55
Website:http://www.hongkongairlines.com/zh_HK/homepage
Special Thanks: Hong Kong Airlines, Tottori Prefecture Tourism Exchange Bureau