Tottori Sand Dunes
16km from east to west, the Tottori Sand Dunes are a favorite target for climbing, exploring, and more. The main portion of the dunes are much smaller than 16km about 2km, east to west, but they can still be impressive. If you arrive very early in the morning, you can see the unique patterns carved by the wind before they get trampled by the scores of people who come to climb the biggest dune. If you'd prefer not to get sand in your shoes, a cable car ride ¥200 one way leads to the Dune Observatory Center. After heavy rains, the oasis below the uma no se the largest dune forms into a beautiful lake. The 200¥ loop bus is the cheapest way of getting to the dunes from Tottori station; the local bus will cost 360 ¥, or 310¥ if you stop at "kodomo no kuni" stop, where you can walk right away on the dunes from the west side.
The White Rabbit of Inaba
Just offshore at Hakuto Beach is a small island that is part of a local folktale. The story goes that a rabbit was trapped on the island, longing to return to his family on the mainland. He tricked a family of sharks into lining up so he could hop on their backs to the shore, but as he reached the last shark, he sneered that he had deceived them; enraged, the sharks tore off all the rabbit's fur. To make matters worse, some cruel gods told the rabbit he would be cured if he bathed in the sea, which he did, only to find that the salt stung his wounds quite badly. The youngest brother of the gods, Okuninushi no Mikoto, felt sorry for the crying rabbit, and told him to bathe in fresh water and dry off with cattails. The rabbit was cured and predicted that the god would become the ruler of the Inaba region, which came true. Reminders of this story abound in the Tottori area, and you will see the white rabbit on everything from bridges to sewer grates to flower arrangements, sometimes accompanied by a rather fat god carrying a big sack.
Outside the city center
Aoya Kamijichi Site Museum
One of Japan's most famous archaeological sites. Thousands of Yayoi Period relics were excavated here, including human remains.
Inaba Manyo Historical Museum
Located in Kokufu-cho, this museum houses many Inaba-area artifacts from the Nara and Heian eras.
Kawahara Castle
Located in the far-eastern reaches of the city limits, the castle offers a spectacular view. It is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi stopped here and dreamed about a peaceful, united Japan prior to uniting the nation himself. From JR Tottori Station, take the bus for Chizo and get off at Kawahara 30 minutes. The castle is a 15 minute walk from the bus stop.
Nagashibina Doll Museum
Displays hina dolls for girls throughout history, mostly from the Edo-period.
Saji Astro Park
Houses a planetarium and the largest telescope in Japan.