Tohaku District: Funagami and Regional Traditions

If you are looking for a hotel in Tohaku District, you can incorporate nature and cultural themes into your trip planning. Local examples include Funagami in Kotoura and the traditional Jinsyo rope-pulling event in Misasa Onsen. Other nature, leisure, and food-related themes are part of the wider travel area of Tottori Prefecture.

Funagami in Kotoura: Mountain Shape and Location

At 615 m high, Funagami (船上山) lies in the southwest of Kotoura. It forms the eastern main part of the Daisen volcanic area and the northeastern end of a mountain range. Its summit is a flat, plateau-like lava surface. Both its position in the mountain range and the distinctive shape of its summit define the character of the mountain. If you are interested in landscapes, you can consider its elevation, position, and summit shape together, rather than describing Funagami by a single figure alone.

Jinsyo Rope-Pulling in Misasa Onsen

The traditional Jinsyo rope-pulling event takes place every year on May 4 in Misasa Onsen. Two enormous ropes are twisted from kudzu vines: one designated as female and the other as male. The ropes are joined, then two groups pull them in opposite directions. The event combines rope-making with competition: twisting and joining the ropes is followed by a group tug-of-war. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, May 4 is the key date. It is a good idea to check the latest event information before making plans.

Tottori Prefecture as a Wider Travel Area

Seasonal Activities and Daisen

In the wider travel area of Tottori Prefecture, the Funagami Youth Nature House is located at the foot of nature-rich Funagami. The mountain is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides and has three waterfalls. In summer, activities include hiking, camping, and playing in the river; in winter, seasonal activities include snowshoeing and sledding. The season therefore makes a significant difference to which activities take center stage. Programs and safety conditions may change; check the latest information before planning activities.

Daisen-Oki National Park extends across Tottori, Shimane, and Okayama Prefectures. At Daisen, the summer hiking trail is designed as the main route for beginners. It is recommended for people climbing Daisen for the first time, as well as children and inexperienced hikers. This description applies to the summer route mentioned and can provide helpful guidance when choosing a suitable hiking experience.

Tottori Sand Dunes: Access and Activities

From the bus stop at Tottori Station, you can reach the Tottori Sand Dunes by bus in about 20 minutes. Stops include Tottori Sand Dunes and Sakyu Kaikan. At the dunes, sandboarding means gliding down a sandy slope on a special board; it is considered a new leisure activity at Tottori Sand Dunes National Park. Even small children can take souvenir photos with camels. The animals are considered docile and child-friendly. If you are planning this activity, check the latest operating information in advance.

History and Regional Specialties

In the wider travel area of Tottori Prefecture, buildings from before the early modern period remain on the former grounds of Daisenji. Stone walls, earthen embankments, and the paths connecting them are well preserved at the former sites of subsidiary temples. The surviving buildings and traces in the landscape offer different insights into past uses: here the focus is on structures, while there it is on the paths and fortifications at the former temple sites.

The Nijisseiki pear is another feature of seasonal and cultural themes in Tottori Prefecture. From late August to late September, visitors can pick this regional specialty there. Kurayoshi is home to the Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum, the only museum in Japan dedicated to nashi pears. Another regional specialty is the large shijimi clams from Lake Tōgō. They are called “black diamonds” because of their appearance and sheen.

Discover more destinations: Misasa, Saihaku District, Tohaku District

Go to the wider travel overview: Tottori Prefecture.