The Tottori Sand Dunes are the most famous coastal dunes in Japan. You can observe the geological features unique to sand dunes such as clear sand lines with distinctive ups and downs as well as blowouts. The Tottori Sand Dunes are the only dunes in Japan designated as a national, natural monument.
(1)Fukube Dunes
The Fukube Dune is a coastal dune that is 70 meters in height at its highest point. On the south side of the sand erosion control forest, there are Chinese shallot fields. There used to be a back swamp called Lake Yuyama.
(2)Exposure of volcanic ash strata (old dunes and new dunes)
Dunes below the volcanic ash layer are old dunes, while dunes above the volcanic ash layer are new dunes. The layer of volcanic ashes consists of Daisen Kurayoshi Pumice accumulated about 50,000 years ago. These ash layer are important for learning about how the Tottori Dunes were formed.
(3)Tanegaike Pond
This pond was formed when the dunes blocked the water running from the valleys. The pond is about 3.4 km around, and 17 m long at the deepest point. This is the deepest pond in the Chugoku region.
(4)Tottori Sand Dunes The Sand Museum
This is a museum at a corner of the Tottori Sand Dunes. This is the first all-weather museum specializing in sand sculptures. With a concept of “Sand Worldwide Travel,” the museum exhibits sculptures on a different theme every year. The sculptures are made only using the sand of old dunes and water.