A little Known Place in Japan-The Tottori Sand Dunes
Sand dunes of Tottori
The Tottori Sand Dunes, located in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, are one of the largest sand dune systems in the country, covering an area of approximately 16 square kilometres. The dunes were formed over thousands of years by the accumulation of sand carried by winds from the Sea of Japan. The Sand dunes have a length of 14 km and are less than 2.4 km wide. It is part of San’in Kaigan Geopark, which is part of The UNESCO Global Geoparks.
The sand dunes of Tottori are a popular tourist attraction, known for their unique shape and colour. The dunes have a distinct crescent shape, with the convex side facing the prevailing winds. The sand is a golden color, and the dunes create a stark contrast against the surrounding greenery.
Visitors to the Tottori Sand Dunes can explore the dunes on foot, by camel or horseback, or by sandboarding. There is also a museum near the dunes that provides information about the formation and history of the dunes, as well as the plants and animals that inhabit the area. The Tottori Sand Dunes are a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists and have been designated as a national natural monument by the Japanese government.
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How Sand Dune forms
The sand dunes were created over thousands of years, as sand from the nearby Sendaigawa River was washed out to sea and redeposited along the coast by the ocean’s currents. The movement of the tides and the coastal winds continuously shape the sand dunes and provide an ever changing landscape. The main sightseeing area spans a half kilometer swath of sand between the visitor center and the sea.
Sanin Kaigan National Park
Sanin Kaigan National Park is a national park located in western Japan, stretching along the coast of the Sea of Japan. The park covers a total area of 163.3 square kilometers and spans three prefectures: Tottori, Hyogo, and Kyoto.
Sanin Kaigan National Park is known for its rugged coastline, which features numerous rocky outcroppings, sea caves, and sandy beaches. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea birds, sea turtles, and marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.
The Tottori Sand Dunes is part of Sanin Kaigan National Park. Other notable attractions in the park include the Genbudo Caves, a series of limestone caves that are filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and the Izumo Taisha Shrine, one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in Japan.
Activities in Sand dunes of Tottori
There are numbers of things to do around the dunes. Camel and horse drawn cart rides travel the dunes, while the more adventurous things are paragliding or sandboarding which are offered by local companies. Views over the dunes can be enjoyed from the observation deck of the Sakyu Center and it is connected with the sand dunes by a chair lift. The Sand Museum, near the Sand dune is a unique museum that displays large sand sculptures by artists from around the world.
How to get Sand dunes
If you are travelling by train take the JR Sanin Main Line to Tottori Station, then transfer to the local bus bound for the sand dunes. The bus ride takes about 20 minutes. There are several bus companies that operate direct buses from Osaka and Kyoto to Tottori Sand Dunes. The journey takes approximately 4-5 hours. If you have a rental car or your own vehicle, you can take the Sanin Expressway to Tottori and follow signs to the sand dunes.
