Guided in Japanese: Tottori Flower Park

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Honshu is the largest of four main islands and home to the port city of Sakaiminato. This half-day excursion incorporating must-see city sights and top attractions that lie further afield. Depart from the pier and travel south to Yonago, a city with a long history of commerce ever since it served as a castle town during the Edo Period.

From here you'll continue to the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park which is located in a perfectly beautiful spot within view of towering Mt. Daisen. Any time is a good time to visit because there is always an abundance of lavish seasonal blooms and an eye-catching dome ensures the ideal habitat for warm-weather and tropical plants. The park hosts a small forest with very tall trees, an interesting museum featuring lilies, where you can see these elegant flowers all year round, some European-themed gardens, and a diminutive train. And don't miss out on trying the luscious ice cream that is sold here: it's made with locally-grown blueberries and pears! If you were able to be in the park after dark, you would be enchanted by the colorful play of twinkling lights that accent every architectural detail and create electrical floral displays: a reason to return.

Next, you will visit Sweets Castle 'Kotobuki-jo', a sweets factory and shop marked by a replica of the Yonago Castle, otherwise known as 'Kotobuki-jo'. Built in 1993 and copying the ancient Yonago castle (of which only ruins remain), the five-story Kotobuki Castle, which you will visit, brings the days of samurais to life. Gaze with wonder at the beautiful tile-roofing gable-and-hip roof style of the castle tower. There is an observation deck from which you can enjoy a 360 degree view of Honshu with Mt. Daisen, a shimmering symbol of the Yumigahama Peninsula, rising on the horizon. Before you leave, you'll be directed to the castle's sweets factory. Try samples and then purchase your favorite candies, specialties of the San-in region, for a delightful taste of Japan.

The city of Sakaiminato is located in the western section of Tottori Prefecture and is known for its outstanding fishery on the Sea of Japan. It thrived as a center of trade with the Asian Continent and still boasts one of the largest hauls of crab and 'maguro' tuna in Japan. The Yumigahama Peninsula, with its green pine trees growing along a stretch of white sand shaped like a bow, is also well known for its beautiful scenery and marine sports.

Your drive back to the pier may provide a glimpse of the city's landmarks, such as the Yumeminato Tower, Mt. Daisen, and perhaps even a few of the city's trademark 'yokai,' statues re-creating the manga characters of Shigeru Mizuki, a Japanese 'manga' comic book author from the area, who is best known as the author of 'Ge Ge Ge-no-Kitaro'. The city has named its main road the 'Mizuki Shigeru Road', and about 100 bronze yokai statues now line the street. The sight leaves animated cartoon fans speechless. After a drive through this street, the coach will take you back to the pier.

Special Notes:

A minimum of 25 passengers is required for this tour to operate.