The white wall district of Kurayoshi, in central Tottori, is a beautifully preserved streetscape of merchant storehouses and townhouses dating from the Edo and Meiji periods. Its signature is the combination of white-plastered walls, dark burnt-cedar boarding and distinctive red iwami-yaki roof tiles, reflected in the water of a small stone-lined canal that runs through the district, crossed by little bridges. Once a prosperous trading town, it has kept its old buildings, which now house craft shops, cafes, sake makers and small museums. Quiet and atmospheric, well off the main tourist routes, it makes a lovely slow stroll.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kurayoshi Area, Tottori |
| Hours | Streets always open; shops daytime |
| Admission | Free to wander |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
| Best time | Year-round; quiet on weekdays |
What to See
- White-plastered storehouses with red iwami-yaki tiles.
- A stone-lined canal crossed by little bridges.
- Craft shops, cafes and sake makers in old buildings.
- A quiet, atmospheric town off the tourist trail.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Hawai Onsen nearby.
- Pair with Tottori pear picking in the Kurayoshi area.
- Read our Tottori overview .
Getting There
- By train + bus: JR to Kurayoshi Station, then a bus to the old town.
- On foot: the district is small and made for slow wandering.
Tips
Come for atmosphere and slow wandering rather than a checklist — the pleasure is simply walking the canal-side streets, looking at the walls and tiles, and dropping into the craft shops and cafes. It’s quietest and most photogenic on a weekday, pairs naturally with nearby Hawai Onsen and the Kurayoshi pear orchards, and most shops close by late afternoon.
