Top Attractions in Tottori Prefecture―Snow Crab, Onsen, and Yokai!

Although mainly known for its majestic sand dunes, Tottori Prefecture of the San’in region has much more to offer the adventurous at heart. 

At the coastal city of Yonago, one can enjoy tons of fresh seafood. Look out for the exclusive giant matsubagani (snow crab), which is caught only from November to March each year.

Then there is the Kaike area, home to the largest onsen (hot spring) in Tottori. Along the beautiful white coastline, you can find many good ryokan (traditional Japanese inn).

I had a wonderful time staying at Kaike Grand Hotel Tensui. The beachside hotel with Japanese and western accommodations offers a generous buffet of matsubagani and other fresh local seafood varieties.
 
Its extensive onsen facility is something you wouldn’t want to miss. Plan a visit either at sunrise or sunset, when you can soak in the natural hot spring goodness while admiring the vivid-colored skies along with the gentle sound of rolling waves. It’s an experience fit for royalty!
 

From here, you can easily go down to neighboring Sakaiminato City to visit the spacious seafood market, Sakaiminato Fish Center. 

Nearby is the Mizuki Shigeru Museum, which showcases the works of Japan’s leading researcher of yokai (Japanese folklore monsters) and beloved manga artist. Mizuki Shigeru is best known for his 1960s manga series, GeGeGe No Kitaro, whose main character and his fellow Japanese mythology creatures attempt to unite the worlds of the yokai and humans. 

The road to Mizuki Shigeru Museum is paved with yokai hiding in every corner, so do tread carefully along this spooky yet fun route!

Click here for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.

Chugoku
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/chugoku/