Tottori
A quiet coastal city where sand dunes, yokai statues and mountain hikes suit a relaxed trip.
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Tottori is a city on the Sea of Japan coast of western Honshu and the capital of Tottori Prefecture in the Chugoku region. It is small and low-key, and the reasons to go lie mostly outside the city. The Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest in Japan, let you walk the ridges with the sea on one side and dunes on the other. The prefecture is also home to manga artist Mizuki Shigeru, whose yokai figures line Mizuki Shigeru Road in nearby Sakaiminato.
The trip suits travelers who want a slower pace than the big cities of Kansai, with a few sights close together. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the dunes and hiking Mount Daisen, and winter brings snow crab and cold sea winds. Two or three days cover the dunes, the city and Sakaiminato, and a third day lets you add Mount Daisen.
Tottori in five
- Fill in Visit Japan Web before you landVisit Japan Web is the official government site for online arrival forms for immigration and customs. Submit them before you land to skip the paper forms at the airport.
- Set up an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi before you landBus routes and maps are easier to check with data on the move. Set up the plan before you leave home.Phones and eSIM
- Carry yen cash for buses and small restaurantsMany small restaurants and rural bus stops prefer cash. Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven or Japan Post ATMs, which accept many foreign cards.
- Book matsuba crab for a winter mealMatsuba crab, Tottori's winter specialty, is in season from November. Reserve a table ahead if you have a set day in mind.
- Rent a car for Daisen and the coastBuses reach the Sand Dunes from Tottori Station, but Daisen and the coastal towns are easier by car. Book the rental before your first full day.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check the Japanese visa page before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow, cold
- FebruarySnow, cold
- MarchCold, thaw
- AprilMild, blossom
- MayMild, clear
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, beach
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCrab season
- DecemberSnow starts
Right now in Tottori
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 82%
Tottori
05:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today19°14°82%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Wed20°12°14%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Thu21°14°68%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Fri19°14°82%Friday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sat14°12°61%Saturday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Sun17°10°46%Sunday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Mon14°10°53%Monday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 53%.
Updated 05:02 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Daisenabout 1 hour by carA mountain with hiking trails and the Daisen-ji temple, best reached by car.
- Sakaiminatoabout 30 minutes by trainA port town with the Mizuki Shigeru Road and seafood restaurants.
- Matsueabout 1 to 2 hours by train or busA castle town in Shimane with old streets and a waterside walk.
Before you go to Tottori
Rules for Tottori, checked
- Some medicines, including certain cold and allergy pills, are restricted or banned in Japan. Check the list with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare before you travel.
- Declare cash above the legal limit and goods that need declaring on arrival. Check the current rules with Japan Customs before you travel.Source
- Smoke only in designated areas. Many streets ban smoking, and fines apply in some places.
- Carry your passport with you, since police and hotels may ask to see it.
Plan around Tottori
Trains, buses and cars between Tottori Station, the dunes and Daisen
Read the guideCash, cards and costs in JapanWhere cards work, where to carry yen and typical daily spending
Read the guideVisas and entry for JapanWho needs a visa and the arrival forms to complete before landing
Read the guideWhere to stay in TottoriBases near Tottori Station, the castle ruins area or Sakaiminato
Read the guideeSIM and phones for JapanData plans, eSIM options and offline maps for the trip
Read the guideAll of JapanRegions and trip planning for a longer Japan route
Read the guideTottori FAQ
How many days do you need in Tottori?
Two days cover the Tottori Sand Dunes, the Sand Museum and a trip to Sakaiminato. Add a third day for Mount Daisen if you enjoy hiking or want a slower pace.
Is Tottori worth visiting?
Yes, if you like dunes, the Sea of Japan coast and quiet towns. It works as a short, low-key stop for travelers who want to avoid the busiest routes.
When is the best time to visit Tottori?
April to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. Summer is hot and humid, the rainy season runs through June and early July, and winter brings snow and crab season.
Do you need a car in Tottori?
Not for the city center and the dunes, which are reachable by bus from Tottori Station. A car is worth it for Daisen, the coast and Sakaiminato, because those trips are slower by public transport.
How do you get to the Tottori Sand Dunes?
Take a local bus from Tottori Station, or go by taxi or rental car if you want to save time. The dunes are open and free to walk on, and the Sand Museum is nearby.
Is Tottori safe for tourists?
Japan is very safe, and Tottori is a quiet prefecture. Keep your passport with you, and follow local rules on smoking and trash.