Tottori

There's a lot to do at the sand dunes. Pay close attention to operating days/seasons and make reservations before getting your heart set on a specific activity, though.

Camel Rides

Anyone who knows anything about sand dunes knows that they're meant to be traveled atop a camel. You'll find the camels by the main entrance east, in front of the lift. Note, however, that the actual riding time is quite brief. You may want to watch other riders make the short less than 10 minute circuit before paying for a ride.

Hang Gliding

Full day courses suitable for beginners, offered by professional hang-gliders from Kyoto Air Sports. Because you need to be there for the entire course to get airborne, you must make a reservation. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Paragliding

Half-day courses suitable for beginners, operated by professionals from Zero Paragliding Sports. If you've never tried paragliding, these sandy surfaces are a good place to start. Reservations required.

Sandboarding

This is by far the best place in Japan to experience sandboarding. Each course lasts 2 hours, reservations required. There must also be at least 10 people signed up for that day, or the course will be cancelled.

Mt. Kyusho

Starting from the castle ruins, climbing Mt. Kyusho takes around half an hour and offers a great view of the city and surrounding area, all the way out to the sand dunes. But watch out for the ghosts of those who starved at the top during the castle siege.

Tottori Hot Spring

Relax at Tottori Hot Spring, not far from JR Tottori Station, or at Yoshioka Hot Spring. Both have brochures at the information desk in the train station.

Shan-Shan Festival

More than 4,000 people participate in the parades of the "Inaba Umbrella Dance", using ornate umbrellas covered in bells and colorful strips of paper. Snap a photo of the over-sized one hanging year-round in the train station, as it is a symbol of this area.

This all-weekend party is rated as one of the best outdoor events in the country. The 2007 event gathered more than a thousand guests from far and wide, and half of those were foreigners. There are DJs at night, live music during the day, come-as-you-please workshops on the beach, beach game tournaments, food stalls, and the famous beach bar. Hotel and camping facilities are available — contact the organizers if you need specific information. It's held at a beautiful bay about 10km out of Tottori called Kozomi west along Route 9 towards Yonago.

Tottori Sand Dune Illuminations

At the end of each year, the sand dunes are lit up at night, and on New Years Eve, there is a countdown to the New Year.

With the Sea of Japan as its northern border, Tottori has some excellent beaches.

Hakuto Beach

Famous for its association with the White Rabbit of Inaba; in fact, the name of the beach means "white rabbit". This beach was the rabbit's destination after his shark-hop.

Idegahama Beach

So nice the sand will sing to you narisuna. The sand at Idegahama is made of silica, and when you walk on it, it makes a pleasant sound. The sand at Idegahama was even worshipped long ago because of the melodies that rang from the sand. To hear the sand at its best, come when it is hot.

Natsudomari Beach

For more than 400 years, these waters have been worked by female divers with their own special method of fish-catching. If you are lucky, you may even see them today.

Uradome Beach

Designated as a national park, the coast just east of the sand dunes is rugged and magnificent. Contact the Iwami-cho Tourist Association.