This area stretches west from the Tottori Sand Dunes and Hakuto Beach in Tottori City, through Yurihama to the slopes of Mount Daisen in Daisen, Hoki and Kofu. The drive follows the coast before climbing to the foot of the mountain.
The first route runs from the dunes to the village below Daisenji Temple. A separate drive takes you past Masumizu Highland to Kagikake Pass. The tables cover 6 roads, 10 sights and 3 roadside stations, including parking and opening hours.
Map of the Tottori Sand Dunes and Daisen area
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Tottori Sand Dunes Visitor Center
- 2Sand Museum
- 3Hakuto Beach
- 4Hakuto Shrine
- 5Daisen Museum of Nature and History
- 6Daisenji Temple
- 7Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato
- 8Masumizu Highland
- 9Kagikake Pass
- 10Mizukue thatched hut
- 11Shinwa no Sato Shiro Usagi roadside station
- 12Hawai roadside station
- 13Daisen Megumi no Sato roadside station
Coastal route: 1 → 2 → 11 → 12 → 13 → 5. Mountain route: 5 past 8 to 9. Walk from 11 to 3 and 4, and from 5 to 6. Points 7 and 10 are outside the lines.
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The map lines show the 2 routes below. Numbered stops are green for sights and nature, and blue for roadside stations. Tap a number to see its name.
Recommended drives
A first day: Tottori Sand Dunes to Daisen via Hakuto Beach
Start at the dunes, visit the Sand Museum, then follow National Route 9 to Shinwa no Sato Shiro Usagi roadside station. Park here and walk to Hakuto Beach and Hakuto Shrine. Continue via Hawai and Daisen Megumi no Sato roadside stations to Bakuroza, beside the Daisen Museum of Nature and History. Daisenji Temple is about a 15-minute walk from the car park.
The driving route follows map points 1 → 2 → 11 → 12 → 13 → 5: about 94.2km and 81 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic. Allow separate time for walking around the dunes and temple, visiting facilities and the return journey.
A separate day: Masumizu Highland to Kagikake Pass for Daisen's south face
Drive from Bakuroza past Masumizu Highland to Kagikake Pass. The line runs from point 5 past point 8 to point 9, covering about 8.9km and 9 minutes of driving. These are also map calculations, excluding traffic and stops. Keep this for a separate day rather than adding it to the journey from the dunes. Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato is an optional stop outside this line.
The road between Masumizu Highland and Kagikake Pass reopened on September 17. Some sections close in winter, so check prefectural road information before setting out. The Mizukue thatched hut has no car park and is not included in this driving route.
Roads you can drive
| Road | Route | Length and tolls | Hours and restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefectural Route 319, Tottori Sakyu–Hosokawa Line | Access to the dunes and Sand Museum | — | — |
| National Route 9 | West along Hakuto Beach | — | — |
| San'in Expressway | Coastal route toward Hawai and Nawa ICs | — | — |
| Prefectural Route 158, Daisenguchi Station–Daisen Line | From Daisen's northern foothills toward Daisenji | — | Alternating one-way traffic at Daisenji, Yokote and Masumizu bridges, October 12–November 30, 9:00–17:00, excluding Saturdays and Sundays |
| Prefectural Route 24, Yonago–Daisen Line | Yonago IC to Bakuroza | — | — |
| Prefectural Route 45, Kurayoshi–Kofu–Mizokuchi Line | Links Masumizu Highland and Kagikake Pass | — | Alternating one-way traffic in Daisen, Daisen Town, August 1–December 25, 8:30–17:00, except periods when roadworks are suspended. Some sections close in winter |
Places to stop
Views and nature
Numbers match the map.
| No. | Place | Parking | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tottori Sand Dunes, in front of the Visitor Center | Dunes car park: ¥500 for a passenger car | Dunes admission is free. Visitor Center open 9:00–17:00 |
| 2 | Sand Museum | Free for museum visitors | Spain exhibition: April 24, 2026–January 3, 2027. Open 9:00–18:00, last entry 17:30. General admission ¥800; elementary, junior high and high school students ¥400; preschool children free |
| 3 | Hakuto Beach | Walk from Shinwa no Sato Shiro Usagi roadside station | An arc-shaped beach |
| 4 | Hakuto Shrine | Walk from Shinwa no Sato Shiro Usagi roadside station | Shrine associated with the White Rabbit of Inaba myth |
| 5 | Daisen Museum of Nature and History | Bakuroza: 600 spaces. Prefectural car parks have been free since March 23 | Free admission. Open 9:00–17:00, extended to 18:30 from July 21 to August 20 |
| 6 | Daisenji Temple | About a 15-minute walk from Bakuroza | Leave the car at the foot of the temple approach and walk up |
| 7 | Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato | 155 passenger-car spaces, including 9 priority spaces | Open 10:00–17:00; closed Tuesdays. Open November 3, 2026; closed November 4 |
| 8 | Masumizu Highland | Free | Sky Lift open 9:00–17:00, planned to operate until November 23 in 2026. May close in poor weather. Return fare: high school age and over ¥1,500; ages 4 through junior high school ¥1,000; ages 0–3 free |
| 9 | Kagikake Pass | 15 spaces, free | At an elevation of 910m, overlooking Daisen's south face |
| 10 | Mizukue thatched hut | None | A thatched hut with Daisen behind it. No toilets. Outside the driving routes |
Roadside stations
| No. | Roadside station | Parking | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Shinwa no Sato Shiro Usagi | 116 passenger-car spaces | Shop open 8:00–19:00; December 3–February 28, 8:30–18:00. Information corner open 24 hours |
| 12 | Hawai | 56 passenger-car spaces | Views over Lake Togo. Hours vary by business |
| 13 | Daisen Megumi no Sato | 62 passenger-car spaces | Just off Nawa IC. Open 9:00–18:00, closing at 17:00 from December to February. Closed December 31 and January 1 |
Best seasons and crowds
| When | What to see and check |
|---|---|
| April 24, 2026–January 3, 2027 | Spain exhibition at the Sand Museum |
| Around late October to mid-November | Autumn leaves at Kagikake Pass |
| Until November 23, 2026 | Planned operating season for the Masumizu Highland Sky Lift, subject to weather closures |
| Winter | Some sections of the Daisen ring road close. Check road information before departure |
Sunset in Tottori City is at 17:10 on October 31. Plan to finish your walk in time to descend the mountain roads before sunset.
Where traffic can build up
Roads approaching the Sand Museum can become congested during holiday periods. Last admission is at 17:30, so adjust the order of your visits if the drive takes longer than expected.
Closures and restrictions as of October 27
Prefectural Routes 158 and 45 have the roadworks restrictions listed above. The 5.1km section of Route 45 between Masumizu Highland and Kagikake Pass reopened at 10:30 on September 17.
Some sections of the Daisen ring road close in winter. Check Tottori Prefecture's road restrictions and Daisen Tourism's road information before departure. The guide to winter road closures in Japan explains how to plan around seasonal closures.
Getting there and fuel
| Starting point | Approximate drive |
|---|---|
| Tottori IC | 20 minutes to the Tottori Sand Dunes |
| Tottori IC or Tottori-Nishi IC | 15–20 minutes to the Sand Museum |
| Hawai IC | 2 minutes to Hawai roadside station |
| Nawa IC | Daisen Megumi no Sato roadside station is just off the interchange |
| Yonago IC | 15 minutes to the Daisen Museum of Nature and History via Prefectural Route 24 |
| Mizokuchi IC | 10 minutes to Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato |
ENEOS Dr. Drive Koyama Chuo SS is in Chiyomi, Tottori City. Fill up before leaving the dunes area and check your fuel level again before climbing toward Daisen.
If you don't have a car
Find providers in the Tottori car rental list. Before booking, read the guides to driving permits for Japan and airport car rental pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Tottori Sand Dunes and Daisen in one day?
The route from the dunes via the Sand Museum, Hakuto Beach, Hawai and Daisen Megumi no Sato roadside stations to Bakuroza covers about 94.2km and 81 minutes of driving. Walking and sightseeing are extra, so choose your stops rather than planning a long visit at every place.
How much are admission and parking at the dunes?
Entry to the dunes is free. The dunes car park in front of the Visitor Center costs ¥500 for a passenger car.
Can I drive to Daisenji Temple?
On this route, leave the car at Bakuroza and walk about 15 minutes to the temple.
Is the road to Kagikake Pass open?
Prefectural Route 45 between Masumizu Highland and the pass reopened on September 17. Roadworks can require alternating one-way traffic, and some sections close in winter. Check that day's road information before going.
Is there parking at the Mizukue thatched hut?
There is no car park or toilet. The hut is not included in this page's driving routes.
Nearby areas and guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-10-27
- Tottori Sand Dunes Visitor Center (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Foundation for National Parks (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori City Call Center (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Sand Museum (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Sand Museum (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Sand Museum (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Tourism (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Tourism (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Museum of Nature and History (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Tourism (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Dairy Agricultural Cooperative (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Dairy Agricultural Cooperative (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Dairy Agricultural Cooperative (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Masumizu Highland (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Masumizu Highland (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Masumizu Highland (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Kofu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Tourism (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Kofu Town (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- MLIT Chugoku Regional Development Bureau (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Shinwa no Sato Shiro Usagi roadside station (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture Tourism Federation (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Megumi no Sato roadside station (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Tottori Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Daisen Tourism (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-27
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- ENEOS (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Japan Meteorological Agency (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-27
