Sprawling between Nakaumi Lake and the Sea of Japan, Yonago is a flourishing trade centre nicknamed the “Osaka in San-in”. It’s home to Ramsar-listed wetlands teeming with birdlife, as well as the seaside hot springs and beach at Kaike.

Things to do

Overlooking a sandy beach on the Yumigahama Peninsula, Kaike Onsen is the largest hot spring resort in the Sanin region. Bathe in the calcium-rich waters at one of its traditional ryokans, then dive into the Sea of Japan at the ever-popular Kaike Swimming Beach.

Want to see works by some of Tottori Prefecture’s finest photographers? Visit the Yonago City Museum of Art, which features a moving collection of images by Teikō Shiotani and Shōji Ueda. Paintings by regional artists are also on display, with special exhibitions held throughout the year.

Bird enthusiasts should visit the Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary, designated by Ramsar as a Wetland of International Importance. More than 100 different bird species visit the sanctuary, including greater white-fronted geese, white-tailed eagles and spot-billed ducks, as well as hundreds of tundra swans who gather during the winter months.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, visit the Kotobuki Castle of Sweets, built as a replica of the Yonago Castle. Locally-crafted confectionary, such as horse chestnut rice cake (known as “tachimochi”), is for sale and there are plenty of sweets to sample.

Getting around

Miho-Yonago Airport is a 25-minute drive away and there are trains from Yonago to destinations across Tottori. Buses travel throughout Yonago and connect to the Kaike Seaside Park.