The Beauty of Sand Sculpture in Tottori

The Sand Museum takes sand art to a whole new level

Any trip to Tottori likely includes a visit to the famed sand dunes, but right across the street you’ll also find a whole museum full of sculptures made of the stuff. The items on display shift as constantly as the medium itself, so no matter how many times you visit, there's bound to be something new to enjoy.

Executive director Chaen Katsuhiko is an artist himself. In addition to curating the museum, he has spearheaded two sand sculpture festivals in Japan and exhibits his own sculptures around the world. The museum is periodically closed while new works are being created, so be sure to check the calendar before you plan your visit.

Access: Fly from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport (about one hour 15 minutes). The Sand Museum is about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport.

The Sand Museum