Popular Places :: Tottori Sand Dune - The largest sand dune in Japan. A popular tourist attraction which is located on the Sea of Japan. Boarding enthusiasts can enjoy dune boarding from spring to autumn, and snowboard on the dunes in winter. To add to the 'desert' atmosphere, one can rent a camel to ride.
Mount Daisen -Mount Daisen is a volcanic mountain located in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. It has an elevation of 1,729 meters and it is the highest peak in the Chūgoku region. It is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan. Mount Daisen's underwater rivers are the source of drinking water for many of the surrounding areas. The water is ranked the cleanest in Japan.
Hakuto Island- Just off the coast in Ketaka Town, Hokuto Island is the location of Japan's famous White Rabbit (
'Inaba Shirousagi') legend One can see a small shrine atop the rocky cliffs from the beach. It's also a popular surfing location.
Famous Local Tale :: Inaba Shirousagi (The White Rabbit of Inaba) - A cunning rabbit tricks sharks, using them as stepping stones to reach the island from the beach. He learns the painful consequences of his actions, when he is attacked by one of the sharks and returned to shore. The rabbit is then, in turn, tricked into applying salt water to his wounds to heal them (talk about rubbing salt in the wounds), but is then later assisted by a traveler. This rabbit goes on to make Autumn Harvest rice cakes up on the moon.
Famous Foods :: Matsubara Crab & 'Nijuuseki' (20th Century)
Nashi Pear (apple pear) - Tottori is rich in agriculture and fishing. Both the crab and pear are local delicacies in this region.
Famous Festival :: Shan Shan Matsuri - The Umbrella Dance is held annually in August during Obon Season (a time where the ancestors return to visit their families). Troupes from all over Tottori participate in this day long celebration, with a parade looping around the city during the day, and a street festival and fireworks display at night. In the Inaba region, this unbrella dance is done to help summon the rains, so a plentiful rice harvest will come in the autumn. Typhoon season usually starts shortly after this event.
Important Animals :: Mandarin Duck - The prefectural bird of Tottori. The drakes are very colorful, and can be viewed in many of the scenic locations in Tottori like Misasa Onsen and Koyama Lake.
Camels - Though they are not indigenous to Japan, they can be visited at the Sand dune. Many souveniers from the sand dune have camels on them.
Famous Comic Artists :: Detective Conan by Gosho Aoyama
(from Daiei Town in central Tottori Prefecture) - A story about a 17 year old detective who gets turned into a small boy. Unable to tell his best friend what happened to him, he continues to solve mysteries as Edogawa Conan, child sleuth. Mr. Aoyama's house is located in Daiei Town, and statues of Conan and friends are located throughout town.
Gegege no Kitaro by Shigeru Mizuki
(from Sakaiminato City in west Tottori Prefecture) - A story about a demon family and how they interact with the human race in an attempt to help save them from others of their kind. The members of the group are all based on different Japanese ghost legends. Statues line the avenue leading from Sakai Train Station to the Mizuki Museum in Sakai.
Local Mascots ::Toripi - The official mascot of Tottori Prefecture. Used by the govermnent to denote prefecture-wide activities and events.
Manabi - The official mascot of Tottori's Educational Department. Used to rally support for educational community activities and events.
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