Tottori Prefecture

Reader's Guide

Tottori Prefecture's significance lies in its unique natural features and historical role. The Tottori Sand Dunes, Japan's only large dune system, are a major geographical and tourist attraction. Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the Chūgoku Mountains, is a prominent landmark. Historically, the prefecture was an early settled area, with the largest Yayoi period settlement in Japan found there. During the Genpei War, its temples served as bases for anti-Taira forces. In the 20th century, Tottori's harbors on the Japan Sea were active transit points for goods between Japan and colonial areas such as Korea, Taiwan, and Manchukuo. The 1943 Tottori earthquake, a magnitude 7.2 event, destroyed 80% of the city of Tottori. Postwar land reform greatly increased agricultural production. Today, Tottori is heavily agricultural, producing nashi pears, nagaimo yam, Japanese scallions, negi, watermelon, and rice. It also holds the distinction of being the biggest coffee consumer per household in Japan, despite being the least populous prefecture.

Did You Know?

• It has the largest sand dunes system in Japan, the Tottori Sand Dunes.
• Tottori Prefecture has the highest coffee consumption per household in Japan.
• The prefecture contains the largest known Yayoi period settlement in Japan, the Mukibanda Yayoi remains.