Tottori Prefecture

Tottori is a prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast in the Chugoku region. The territory stretches across coastal and mountainous landscape, with wide sand dunes near the city of Tottori and the summit of Mount Daisen.

The region takes its name from ancient inhabitants who caught waterfowl, first recorded in historical documents in the year 213 during Emperor Suinin's reign. The boundaries of the current administrative unit were set in the late 19th century during the Meiji era.

The annual Shan-shan festival fills the streets with dancers carrying decorated umbrellas while performing routines to local folk music. The region is known for crafts such as handmade washi paper and wood carvings produced in mountain communities.

Several railway lines, an airport, and Sakaiminato Port connect the prefecture to larger cities across western Japan. Road connections run along the coast and through the mountains inland.

The prefecture is the least populated administrative region in Japan, with fewer than 540,000 residents. The sand dunes near the city of Tottori are the largest coastal dunes in the country and attract filmmakers for desert scenes.

Location: Japan

Inception: July 14, 1871

Capital city: Tottori

Part of: San'in region, Chūgoku region

Shares border with: Hiroshima Prefecture, Shimane Prefecture, Okayama Prefecture, Hyōgo Prefecture

Website: https://pref.tottori.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.50389,134.23750

Latest update: December 3, 2025 18:52