Things to Do in Tottori
Hand-picked sights and experiences across Tottori, with day trips from Osaka.
When to catch the colours in Tottori?
Average cherry blossom and autumn foliage dates for Tottori, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.
- Cherry blossom
- First flowersMar 29
- Full bloomApr 5
- Autumn foliage
- Leaves turnNov 30
- Peak viewingNov 30 – Dec 14
Where to look next?
The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Tottori first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tottori Sand Dunes — Japan's improbable mini-desert on the Sea of Japan — with the excellent Sand Museum beside them, Mt. Daisen's hiking, and manga heritage: Detective Conan's town and the yōkai street of Sakaiminato.
They're more striking than you expect — 50-metre ridges dropping to the sea, camels and paragliders included — and the Sand Museum's carved-sand exhibitions are world-class. Half a day covers both.
Limited expresses run from Okayama and Osaka (around 2–2.5 hours), and there are direct flights from Tokyo. It pairs naturally with Shimane for a San'in coast itinerary — Japan's least-touristed shoreline.