Open Travel Guide
Day trips from Tottori

Best Day Trips from Tottori 2026

Where a single day out of Tottori can take you, and exactly how to make each trip work.

By Updated Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

The short answer: start with Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum, Uradome Coast & Iwai Onsen and Mount Daisen & Daisenji Temple. This guide profiles 6+ day trips in Tottori, with prices, timing, and the practical notes that decide whether each one earns a place in your plan.

Tottori Prefecture stretches along Japan's San'in coast on the Sea of Japan, home to the Tottori Sand Dunes, the country's largest coastal dune system, and the yokai-themed Mizuki Shigeru Road in the port town of Sakaiminato. Japan's least populous prefecture, Tottori pairs a dramatic, uncrowded coastline with Mount Daisen's hiking trails, the white-walled storehouse district of Kurayoshi, and radium-rich hot springs at Misasa and Kaike Onsen.

Top day trips

Handpicked excursions within easy reach.

10 km northeast of JR Tottori Station

Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum

Hinomaru Bus or Loop Kirinji-shishi Bus (weekends/holidays) from JR Tottori Station to the Sakyu-Kaikan stop, about 20 minutes; local buses ¥380 ($2.50) one-way, the Loop Bus ¥400 ($2.70)

Highlights: Uma-no-Se ('Horse's Back'), the tallest dune ridge, for panoramic sea views · Sandboarding, camel rides, and tandem paragliding all operating within walking distance of the entrance · The Sand Museum's rotating annual sand-sculpture exhibition · Free, 24-hour access to the dunes themselves
20 km northeast of JR Tottori Station

Uradome Coast & Iwai Onsen

JR San'in Line from Tottori Station to Iwami Station (approx. 20–30 min, ¥330/$2.20), then a 1 km walk to Uradome Beach or the Nagatani-Oshima bound bus (8 min, ¥300/$2) to Iwai Onsen

Highlights: Sightseeing boat tour through the Uradome Coast's sea caves and rock arches · Swimming or snorkelling in Uradome Beach's clear, sheltered coves · Iwai Onsen's 1,300-year-old hot spring tradition and free footbaths · The rare Edo-period yukamuri towel-bathing custom, still practiced at some Iwai inns
60 km southwest of Tottori City; about 25 km southeast of Yonago

Mount Daisen & Daisenji Temple

JR San'in/Hakubi Line from Tottori Station to Yonago Station (approx. 45-60 min), then a bus to Daisenji Temple (approx. 1 hr, ¥730-930/$4.90-6.20); buses depart roughly every 2 hours from a marked platform outside Yonago Station

Highlights: Daisenji Temple and the historic Ogamiyama-jinja Okunomiya shrine approach · The strenuous but rewarding Misen Peak Trail for hikers with a full day · Daisen-cho village's local dairy products and Daisen soba · A small ski area on the mountain's northern slopes in winter
35 km southwest of Tottori City

Mitokusan Sanbutsuji & Misasa Onsen

JR San'in Line from Tottori Station to Kurayoshi Station (approx. 30-40 min, ¥770/$5.10), then Nikko/Nissan Kotsu bus toward Misasa Onsen (approx. 20-24 min, ¥500/$3.30), continuing by taxi or local bus to the Mitokusan Sanbutsuji entrance

Highlights: The chain-assisted pilgrimage climb to Nageiredo Hall, Japan's most dangerous National Treasure to visit · Kawara-buro, a free open-air riverside bath in the center of Misasa Onsen · One of the world's highest-radon hot spring towns, with 1,300 years of bathing history · A free distant viewpoint of Nageiredo Hall for those not attempting the climb
40 km southwest of Tottori City

Kurayoshi Shirakabe Storehouses & Hawai Onsen

JR San'in Line from Tottori Station to Kurayoshi Station (approx. 40-60 min, ¥990/$6.60), then a local bus or 15-min taxi to Hawai Onsen on the shore of Lake Togo

Highlights: Kurayoshi's Shirakabe storehouse district along the Tamagawa canal · Short Mount Utsubuki hike for views over the historic district · Hawai Onsen's lakeside hot springs on the shore of Lake Togo · Bicycle rental around Lake Togo from the Hawai/Togo Onsen Tourist Information Center
55 km west of Tottori City

Sakaiminato Mizuki Shigeru Road & Yonago Castle Ruins

JR Limited Express Super Hakuto from Tottori Station to Yonago Station (approx. 1 hr 30 min, ¥3,470/$23.10), then the JR Sakai Line 'Kitaro Train' to Sakaiminato Station (approx. 45 min, ¥410/$2.70); alternatively, a direct JR Sakai Line connection from Yonago runs in about 40 minutes

Highlights: 177 bronze yokai statues along the 800-meter Mizuki Shigeru Road · The yokai-themed JR Sakai Line 'Kitaro Train' with renamed stations · Fresh seafood at Sakaiminato's working fishing port, one of Japan's largest · Yonago Castle ruins' 360-degree panoramic view over Yonago, Mount Daisen, and Lake Nakaumi

Day trip tips

Make the most of your excursions.

Tip

Start early — most popular day-trip destinations get crowded by mid-morning.

Tip

Check return transport times before you leave — missing the last train or bus can be costly.

Tip

Carry water, snacks, and layers — weather and food options can be limited at smaller destinations.

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