Tottori sand dunes activities at a glance
The dunes themselves are free to walk, so every activity here is an add-on. Camels, sandboarding and paragliding are run by separate operators, each with its own prices, hours and weather rules. None of them is part of an entry ticket, and none can be promised in advance. The sections below give the figures we have for each one, so you can decide what is worth planning around.
If you only want the walk, the Tottori sand dunes overview covers entry, the visitor center and the rules on the sand.
Our pick: riding the dunes on a fat bike
This is the pedal-powered option, with the experience fee, insurance and rental covered. It does not include camel rides, sandboarding or paragliding.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided options near the dunes
Guided experiences that include the Tottori sand dunes. Camel rides, sandboarding and paragliding are not part of them.
Camels: photos and short rides
The camels stand near the climbing point of the dunes. A photo sitting on a camel costs 650 JPY per person, a photo beside the animal 100 JPY. A short ride costs 1,600 JPY for one person or 2,600 JPY for two people, with the same rate for adults and children. Two adults may not ride together.
Treat the ride as a bonus rather than a plan. On weekends, on public days off, in school breaks and during Golden Week and Silver Week only photos are offered, and even on weekdays the operation is mostly photos. This restriction began in January 2024 and was confirmed again for 2026. From March to November rides run from 09:30 to 16:00, from December to February from 10:00 to 16:00. Rain, strong wind or the condition of the animals can end the day early, and there is no advance booking. The camels do not go over Umanose, only around the area near the climbing point.
Sandboarding
Sandboarding is run as a guided session of about two hours. The example price is 4,500 JPY per person plus 500 JPY for insurance. Boards are for ages 10 and up, and visitors up to 15 years old take part with a parent or guardian. Plain board rental without the session is not offered. Start times depend on the season and can change with the weather, so check the schedule before you travel and arrive at least 15 minutes before the start.
Paragliding for beginners
Beginner and half-day courses with an instructor are offered above the dune slope. Confirm language requirements and the total price with the operator before booking. Booking ahead is recommended, since walk-ins can be turned away. A flight is not guaranteed when the weather is poor, so keep your plans flexible and ask the operator about requirements when you book.
Fat bike tours
The visitor center lists guided fat bike rides on wide tyres over sand, beach and forest tracks. That does not mean you can ride your own bike across the protected dunes. A fat bike tour with Sand Museum admission and lunch is available as a five-hour option, with the experience fee, insurance and rental included. Read more about the museum on the Sand Museum page.
Chairlift from Sakyu Center
The chairlift runs from Sakyu Center down towards the dune entrance. An adult single ticket is 300 JPY and a return ticket 500 JPY, children from four years up to the end of elementary school pay 200 JPY or 300 JPY. It operates from 09:30 to 16:00, depending on weather and maintenance, and takes about five minutes each way. Tickets come from a machine before boarding. The lift does not take you to Umanose, and it is not an entry requirement: you can also walk down from Sakyu Center.
Drones and photography
Flying a drone requires a notification to the visitor center at least one week in advance. Wind must stay at 5 m/s or below, you must keep the drone in sight and you must not endanger or frighten other people. The visitor center also asks pilots not to fly during busy periods; the last one listed for 2026 runs from 26 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Elaborate shoots with props, TV crews or group photo sessions should be announced to the visitor center too. Ordinary phone photos need no permit.
For the best light on the ripples, try a slanting morning or evening sun, and see the best time to visit for the seasons. To plan the trip itself, read how to get to the dunes.
FAQ
Can I ride a camel in Tottori?
Sometimes. Short rides cost 1,600 JPY for one person, but on weekends, public days off and school breaks only photos are offered, and weekdays are mostly photos too. Rain, wind and the animals' condition can end operation, and there is no booking in advance.
How much does sandboarding cost?
The example price is 4,500 JPY per person plus 500 JPY insurance for a session of about two hours. Boards are for ages 10 and up.
Can beginners try paragliding?
Beginner courses exist. Confirm language requirements and the total price with the operator before booking. Flights are not guaranteed in poor weather.
Is the chairlift necessary to reach the dunes?
No. The lift costs 300 JPY one way for adults and does not reach Umanose. You can also walk from Sakyu Center.