Tottori

The history of the city of Tottori

Tottori's history has been forged in the shadow of its fortress, in step with the political evolution of Japan. Mentioned as early as the 8th century in the Kojiki (the chronicle of ancient events) in connection with the bird-hunting tribe(Tottori-be), the city took a major strategic turn in 1532 with the construction of its castle on the slopes of Mount Kyusho. Long contested by powerful warlords, the city found stability in the edo period (1603-1867).

Under the governance of the powerful Ikeda clan, Tottori became a wealthy and influential fortified town. The advent of the Meiji era in 1868 marked the end of the feudal era: the castle was dismantled and the town was designated capital of the new prefecture in 1889. Despite the tragic destruction caused by a major earthquake in 1943 and the bombings of the Second World War, Tottori has risen from the ashes, preserving its samurai heritage in the heart of a modern city.

Tottori Sand Dunes(Tottori Sakyu)

The region's star attraction! Located just north of the city, these giant sand dunes stretch for some 16 kilometers in length and up to 2 kilometers in width. It's a totally unexpected landscape in Japan, created by the accumulation of sediments brought down from the mountains by the Sendai River and sculpted by the winds of the Sea of Japan.

Here you can enjoy camel rides, paragliding, sandboarding and fatbiking on the beach.

Just a stone's throw from the dunes, the Sand Museum is the world's only indoor museum dedicated to sand sculptures. Every year, international artists create gigantic ephemeral masterpieces based on a specific theme (which changes every season).

Tottori is a gourmet's paradise, thanks in part to the richness of the Sea of Japan:

• Matsuba crab: This is the great winter specialty. This snow crab is renowned for its tender, sweet flesh.
• Tofu Chikuwa: A traditional local product combining tofu and mixed white fish, steamed in a tube shape.
• Tottori pears: The region is famous for its pear production, particularly the juicy, crunchy Nijisseiki (20th-century pear) variety. In autumn, people go pear-hunting(nashigari) in the fields around the city.

• Kawara (Kawaraburo)open-air bath: the symbol of the city. Located directly on the pebbles beside the Misasa River, just under the main bridge, this free, all-natural, mixed public bath is open to all... provided you overcome your shyness, as it's completely visible from the bridge!
• Nageire-do: This wooden temple, built in the 11th century, is literally suspended above the void, embedded in the rock of a cliff on Mount Mitoku. Legend has it that a Buddhist master projected it up there thanks to his spiritual powers. To approach it, you have to climb along tree roots and chains on a steep, slippery path. Access is regulated: your shoes are checked before you start your ascent (smooth soles are forbidden) and, for safety reasons, you must be accompanied by another person.