JET Programme Series: Tottori - an incredible little gem - Annika Mohammed
2020/12/15
JET Programme Series: Tottori - an incredible little gem - Annika Mohammed
In the West of Japan lies an incredible little gem called Tottori. This prefecture is packed with lots of exciting and awe-inspiring views. Tottori, being a coastal town, has a long history. The traditional crafts and customs are still upheld today. One of the main attractions of Tottori is the Tottori Sand Dunes, it is Japan’s largest dune system. I visited Tottori in the Summer, which may not have been the best time to visit a vast area filled with very hot sand, but when you're experiencing such amazing sites, not even the hot Japanese summer seems to bother you. Standing in the dunes, it's easy to forget that you're in Japan and not in the Sahara Desert. Looking around, there are walls of sand spreading as far as the eye can see. There are also camels which can be ridden around the dunes. I decided to make the long, arduous journey up the sand hills on my own, and what I saw was the most breathtaking view of the coast. A typhoon was forecasted to land a few days after my visit, this made the view from the top of the dunes really spectacular, with huge waves constantly crashing into the shore.
After spending an hour or two at the dunes, I made my way back out to visit the Sand museum which is only a few minutes’ walk from the Sand Dunes. The sculptures in the museum change often, at the time of my visit the theme of the display was the histories and cultures of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The museum consists of massive walls of sand that have been exquisitely crafted by extremely talented artists. The sand sculptures looked beautiful and realistic, there were also some sculptures that were both riveting and fantastical. Walking through the maze of these impressive sculptures, you feel like you're in a fantasy novel and the stories written on the pages are an arm's length away from you. After leaving the museum, you can smell the delicious seafood restaurants that line the sides of the streets. Unfortunately, I have a shellfish allergy but I did have a delicious pear ice cream. Yes, you read correctly, pear ice cream. Tottori is known for its delicious pears which are aptly called “Tottori 20th Century Pears”. These pears were discovered growing in the wild on the hillsides in Tottori where the original pear tree can still be found today.
On my last day in Tottori, I visited the Watanabe museum and Kannon-in, which is a very old Buddhist temple that offers tea and relaxation. The temple is located on the outskirts of the city. Within the temple is a surprisingly beautiful pond that sits at the base of a little hillside. Sitting there in silence looking at the sun glistening off the calm water, drinking a warm cup of delicious matcha tea and eating a small wagashi sweet made from pear, is the most relaxed I've felt since coming to Japan. The feeling of peace and tranquility just washes over you, making you forget everything else except that exact moment in time. Leaving the temple, my last stop was the Watanabe museum, this museum holds one of the largest collections of samurai armor. The museum also consists of other antiques and art from the Edo period. The thousands of armors that line the walls of the museum are hauntingly beautiful. It's amazing that so much culture and history was expertly preserved. I only visited Tottori for three days but there are so many other places that I would like to visit. I hope to visit the other exquisite sites in Tottori soon.
Annika Mohammed
JET (Japanese Exchange & Teaching) Program Assistant Langauge Teacher
Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, JAPAN
JET Programme Series: Tottori - an incredible little gem (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
After spending an hour or two at the dunes, I made my way back out to visit the Sand museum which is only a few minutes’ walk from the Sand Dunes. The sculptures in the museum change often, at the time of my visit the theme of the display was the histories and cultures of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The museum consists of massive walls of sand that have been exquisitely crafted by extremely talented artists. The sand sculptures looked beautiful and realistic, there were also some sculptures that were both riveting and fantastical. Walking through the maze of these impressive sculptures, you feel like you're in a fantasy novel and the stories written on the pages are an arm's length away from you. After leaving the museum, you can smell the delicious seafood restaurants that line the sides of the streets. Unfortunately, I have a shellfish allergy but I did have a delicious pear ice cream. Yes, you read correctly, pear ice cream. Tottori is known for its delicious pears which are aptly called “Tottori 20th Century Pears”. These pears were discovered growing in the wild on the hillsides in Tottori where the original pear tree can still be found today.
On my last day in Tottori, I visited the Watanabe museum and Kannon-in, which is a very old Buddhist temple that offers tea and relaxation. The temple is located on the outskirts of the city. Within the temple is a surprisingly beautiful pond that sits at the base of a little hillside. Sitting there in silence looking at the sun glistening off the calm water, drinking a warm cup of delicious matcha tea and eating a small wagashi sweet made from pear, is the most relaxed I've felt since coming to Japan. The feeling of peace and tranquility just washes over you, making you forget everything else except that exact moment in time. Leaving the temple, my last stop was the Watanabe museum, this museum holds one of the largest collections of samurai armor. The museum also consists of other antiques and art from the Edo period. The thousands of armors that line the walls of the museum are hauntingly beautiful. It's amazing that so much culture and history was expertly preserved. I only visited Tottori for three days but there are so many other places that I would like to visit. I hope to visit the other exquisite sites in Tottori soon.
Annika Mohammed
JET (Japanese Exchange & Teaching) Program Assistant Langauge Teacher
Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, JAPAN
JET Programme Series: Tottori - an incredible little gem (Japanese Embassy Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives