Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県)
Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県) is located in the Chugoku region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Tottori and primary transport gateway at Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express). Spanning 19 cities, towns, and villages, Tottori is renowned for Sweeping Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum, sacred Mount Daisen ('Fuji of Hoki'), Kurayoshi white-walled storehouses, radium-rich Misasa Onsen, and Sakaiminato's Mizuki Shigeru Road.
| Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Chugoku · Capital: Tottori |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express) |
| Municipalities Covered | 19 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Tottori (鳥取市), Yonago (米子市), Kurayoshi (倉吉市), Sakaiminato (境港市), Kotoura (琴浦町) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Matsuba-gani (winter snow crab) & Beni-zuwaigani, Nijisseiki (20th Century) Asian pears, Tottori beef-bone ramen (gyukotsu ramen), Tottori spice curry |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Tottori Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Tottori or planning regional day trips from Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express), these top municipalities in Tottori Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Tottori (鳥取市) — Core city (pop. 200,315, 765.66 km²) served by Tottori Station (鳥取駅) (0.9 km); key local sights include Tottori Castle ruins (1.0 km), Koyama-ike (7.5 km), Kawahara Castle (11.1 km).
- Yonago (米子市) — City (pop. 149,140, 132.21 km²) served by Yonago Station (米子駅) (1.1 km); key local sights include Yumiga-hama (5.6 km), Hirada-saki (10.5 km), Takatsuka Yama (12.9 km).
- Kurayoshi (倉吉市) — City (pop. 51,453, 272.15 km²) served by Kurayoshi Station (倉吉駅) (3.8 km); key local sights include Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum, Takashiro Mountain (6.3 km), Tōgō-ike (8.6 km).
- Sakaiminato (境港市) — City (pop. 35,908, 28.79 km²) served by Sakaiminato Station (境港駅) (1.6 km); key local sights include Tottori Domain Battery Sites, National Historic Site, E Shima (3.8 km), Takao Yama (3.0 km).
- Kotoura (琴浦町) — Town (町) (pop. 18,638, 139.97 km²) served by Yabase Station (八橋駅) (6.4 km); key local sights include Mount Senjō and Mount Senjō Sakura Festival, Daisen Waterfall, Sainoo temple ruins, Special National Historic Site.
- Yazu (八頭町) — Town (町) (pop. 18,446, 206.71 km²) served by Hattō Station (八東駅) (2.1 km); key local sights include Hyōnosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan-kokutei Park, Hyōno-sen, Tottori Castle ruins (鳥取城).
How to get to Tottori Prefecture
2h 30m direct from Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe to Tottori on the JR Super Hakuto Limited Express, or 2h 15m from Okayama to Yonago on the JR Yakumo. Once at Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 19 municipalities in Tottori. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Tottori
When visiting cities across Tottori, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Matsuba-gani (winter snow crab) & Beni-zuwaigani — regional culinary specialty across Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県).
- Nijisseiki (20th Century) Asian pears — regional culinary specialty across Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県).
- Tottori beef-bone ramen (gyukotsu ramen) — regional culinary specialty across Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県).
- Tottori spice curry — regional culinary specialty across Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県).
Best time to visit Tottori
April–October for coastal sand dunes, Mount Daisen hikes, and Uradome Coast kayaking; November–March for winter crab feasts and Misasa Onsen.
All 19 cities & municipalities in Tottori Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tottori 鳥取市 | Core city | 200,315 | 765.66 km² | City guide → |
| Yonago 米子市 | City | 149,140 | 132.21 km² | City guide → |
| Kurayoshi 倉吉市 | City | 51,453 | 272.15 km² | City guide → |
| Sakaiminato 境港市 | City | 35,908 | 28.79 km² | City guide → |
| Nichinan 日南町 | Town (町) | 5,345 | 340.96 km² | City guide → |
| Misasa 三朝町 | Town (町) | 7,020 | 233.52 km² | City guide → |
| Iwami 岩美町 | Town (町) | 12,417 | 122.32 km² | City guide → |
| Hino 日野町 | Town (町) | 3,551 | 133.98 km² | City guide → |
| Daisen 大山町 | Town (町) | 17,408 | 189.83 km² | City guide → |
| Hiezu 日吉津村 | Village (村) | 3,460 | 4.2 km² | City guide → |
| Hōki 伯耆町 | Town (町) | 11,418 | 139.44 km² | City guide → |
| Hokuei 北栄町 | Town (町) | 15,718 | 56.94 km² | City guide → |
| Kōfu 江府町 | Town (町) | 3,294 | 124.52 km² | City guide → |
| Kotoura 琴浦町 | Town (町) | 18,638 | 139.97 km² | City guide → |
| Nanbu 南部町 | Town (町) | 11,491 | 114.03 km² | City guide → |
| Wakasa 若桜町 | Town (町) | 3,704 | 199.18 km² | City guide → |
| Yazu 八頭町 | Town (町) | 18,446 | 206.71 km² | City guide → |
| Yurihama 湯梨浜町 | Town (町) | 17,501 | 77.94 km² | City guide → |
| Chizu 智頭町 | Town (町) | 7,792 | 224.7 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県)?
Top highlights across Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県) in Japan's Chugoku region include Sweeping Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum, sacred Mount Daisen ('Fuji of Hoki'), Kurayoshi white-walled storehouses, radium-rich Misasa Onsen, and Sakaiminato's Mizuki Shigeru Road. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Tottori include Tottori (鳥取市), Yonago (米子市), Kurayoshi (倉吉市), Sakaiminato (境港市), Kotoura (琴浦町).
How do I get to Tottori Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Tottori Prefecture is Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express) (prefectural capital: Tottori). 2h 30m direct from Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe to Tottori on the JR Super Hakuto Limited Express, or 2h 15m from Okayama to Yonago on the JR Yakumo. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Tottori Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県) include Matsuba-gani (winter snow crab) & Beni-zuwaigani, Nijisseiki (20th Century) Asian pears, Tottori beef-bone ramen (gyukotsu ramen), Tottori spice curry—served at station restaurants around Tottori Station & Yonago Station (JR Super Hakuto Limited Express), local morning markets, and izakaya in Tottori and Yonago.
When is the best time of year to visit Tottori Prefecture?
April–October for coastal sand dunes, Mount Daisen hikes, and Uradome Coast kayaking; November–March for winter crab feasts and Misasa Onsen. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.