The Tottori Sand Dunes are the largest and best-known sand dunes in Japan, a great sweep of wind-sculpted sand running some 16 kilometres along the Sea of Japan coast and reaching up to 50 metres high. Formed over a hundred thousand years by sand carried down from the mountains and shaped by the wind, they present a genuinely desert-like landscape, complete with rippled ridges, a large basin and a tall dune, the ‘horse’s back’, from which visitors look out over the deep blue sea. It is Tottori’s defining attraction, offering camel rides, sandboarding, paragliding and a striking sea view all in one place.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Central Tottori, Tottori |
| Hours | Always open; activities daytime |
| Admission | Free; activities and lift charge |
| Time needed | 1.5–3 hours |
| Best time | Year-round; sunset and clear days |
What to See
- Wind-rippled ridges of Japan’s largest sand dunes.
- The ‘horse’s back’ dune with its view over the sea.
- Camel rides, sandboarding and paragliding.
- A desert-like landscape by the deep blue Sea of Japan.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Sand Museum at the dunes.
- Pair with camel riding and sandboarding .
- Read our Tottori overview .
Getting There
- By bus: the Kirin Jishaku loop bus runs from Tottori Station to the dunes.
- By car: ample parking at the main dune entrance.
Tips
Climb the ‘horse’s back’ dune for the classic view over the sea, but be ready for hard going on the soft, steep sand — it’s more tiring than it looks. Go barefoot in summer to feel the sand but beware the surface heat at midday, come toward sunset when the low light rakes across the ripples, and keep off the roped-off conservation areas that protect the dune’s rare plants and formations.
