Hi everyone, some friends and I are planning to travel to Tottori this summer and are thinking about staying there for 3-4 days. We started searching up locations/activities that we would like to do and we have some questions about travelling within Tottori prefecture.
Some of the towns/cities we are thinking of visiting: Yonago, Sakaiminato, Daisen, Tottori, Iwami (Uradome Coast).
1. Between Yonago and Tottori, which one is more preferable to stay at during our time there? We’re thinking of staying at one of the cities and do day trips out to the various locations. We’re leaning towards Tottori right now since it seems more ‘central’.
2. How feasible is it to travel around Tottori without our own car? All the research I’ve done suggested that the easiest way is to drive around the places. Unfortunately, we don’t drive. I believe that there are only bus services within the cities or to places like Daisen and some are pretty infrequent. My worry is that we have to constantly rush from one place to another to catch trains/buses when the whole point of visiting Tottori is to relax and do (mostly) outdoor activities.
3. We looked at some outdoor activities that require booking (sandboarding, paragliding at the sand dunes, kayaking at Uradome Coast etc.) but it seems like none of them are taking reservations right now (even for days that are within the month). Is this normal? If we are unable to make reservations, does anyone know if they take walk ins?
We would really appreciate any advice and suggestions!
4 comments
>Between Yonago and Tottori, which one is more preferable to stay at during our time there? We’re thinking of staying at one of the cities and do day trips out to the various locations. We’re leaning towards Tottori right now since it seems more ‘central’.
With the 4 area you listed, 3 are around Yonago area and 2 are around Tottori area. So I would say Yonago.
Also Uradome and Tottori has pretty good bus connection (compared to Daisen) so I would say making day trip to Tottori area is probably easier.
>How feasible is it to travel around Tottori without our own car?
With careful planning it’s possible. Planning is hard though. You are going to have to look up the expected duration of each activities and planned accordingly.
1. That depends on the actual activities. Thus said, unless you are planning to visit Yuushien from this side – there is no actual point to visiting Sakaiminato – it’s a fairy terminal/port town and not really point of interest. Honest answer would be to also consider Kurayoshi – depending on your itinerary.
2. Unfortunately, if you want to visit for 3-4 day, including Mt. Daisen – this pretty much implies having to drive, unless something is along the train lines, in Tottori or Yonago area.
3. Most outdoor activities will not open for booking well into April.
Changing hotel can make sense too, it kind of depends what is the bigger plan. For 3-4 days you can focus on area that are easier to access by train or bus.
I would recommend staying in Yonago rather than Tottori. The Mizuki Shigeru museum is fantastic, and I learned a lot about his background in Papua New Guinea.
There is actually nothing “central” about Tottori City other than being the prefecture capital. Yonago and Matsue feel much bigger and convenient.
You don’t necessarily need a car in the area. Just use local bus lines, rental bikes, and taxis.