How to get to Tottori sand dunes at a glance
The dunes lie on the coast north of Tottori city, and the usual way in is a local bus from Tottori Station. The stop you want is Sakyu Kaikan at the entrance, or Sakyu Center Tenbodai on the way. Do not confuse it with Sakyu Higashiguchi, a stop on lines 32 and 33 that is not the same as the entrance. From Osaka and Kyoto you first travel to Tottori Station by train or highway bus; from the airport you take the airport bus to the station.
If you would rather not plan the connections, a guided day trip or two-day tour covers the transport for you.
Our pick: a two-day drive from Osaka
Hotel pickup applies only inside the Osaka Loop Line area, and otherwise the tour starts at Nipponbashi Station, so you reach the dunes without planning trains and buses.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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.
Two-day option from Osaka
A two-day tour that starts in Osaka, with one hotel night and breakfast. It stops at the dunes on the first day.
Bus 39 from Tottori Station
Bus 39 leaves from the bus terminal at Tottori Station, platform 0, and serves Sakyu Center Tenbodai, Suna no Bijutsukan-mae near the Sand Museum and Sakyu Kaikan. The timetable valid from 1 April 2026 shows a sample trip of 22 minutes to the last stop at the dunes. The adult fare is 380 JPY and children pay 190 JPY. Since this is a regular city route, check the current timetable before you go.
Weekend loop bus
The Kirin Jishi loop bus is another option, but it runs only on Saturdays, Sundays, public days off and from 13 to 15 August, and not on 1 January. A single ride costs 400 JPY for adults and 200 JPY for children, and a day ticket is 700 JPY. The loop goes round the harbour and the castle area: from the station to the dunes takes about 25 minutes, while the return trip from the dune stop takes about 50 minutes. Because the direction matters, check which way your bus travels.
Taxi and transfer from Tottori Airport (TTJ)
Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport (TTJ) has no direct bus to the dunes. The airport bus takes about 20 minutes to Tottori Station and costs 480 JPY for adults and 240 JPY for children. The timetable in use runs from 25 October to 30 November 2026, so check it again on the day, and note that the connecting bus can be cancelled if a flight does not operate. In the other direction, buses to the airport leave from platform 2.
A taxi or a pre-booked transfer from the airport to the dunes is a short drive. The price depends on the provider, and the bus plus bus 39 is the cheaper route. A taxi is easiest with luggage, or when you arrive late.
From Osaka and Kyoto by train and highway bus
The Super Hakuto express runs from Kyoto and Osaka to Tottori on reserved seats. In the normal season an adult one-way fare from Osaka is 7,520 JPY, made up of 3,960 JPY base fare and a 3,560 JPY reserved express supplement. From Kyoto it is 8,620 JPY, from 5,060 JPY plus the same supplement. A seasonal surcharge or discount can apply, so the total varies by travel date. The prefecture gives about 2 hours 35 minutes from Osaka and 3 hours 6 minutes from Kyoto as a rough guide.
The highway bus from Osaka (Umeda, Namba, Bentencho) costs 4,200 JPY and from Kobe Sannomiya 3,900 JPY, with children at half price. One example departure from Osaka Umeda reaches Tottori in 2 hours 53 minutes, but that is not a promise for every run. On the day of travel, reservations and cancellations are made by phone only. From Tottori Station, continue with bus 39.
Car rental and parking
Driving gives you the most freedom if you also want to see the coast. You can pick up a rental car at Tottori airport (TTJ) or in the city. From Kansai the route follows the Chugoku Expressway, the Sayo junction and the Tottori Expressway. There is no road access onto the sand, so you park and walk.
The nearest paid lot is Tottori Sakyu Parking, with roughly 300 spaces, which costs 500 JPY per car. The fee is due again after each 24 hours, and the lot can be used day and night. Sakyu Center and the neighbouring city lot are listed as free, and from the center you can walk to the dunes. With the car sorted, the next stop is the dunes themselves.
Check rental car prices at Car rental at Tottori Airport (TTJ) on Economybookings.
Yonago Airport and a road trip around the prefecture
Yonago Airport (YGJ) and a longer drive through the prefecture are covered in a separate guide. Our Tottori prefecture guide covers Yonago Airport and driving around the region
When you arrive, see what you can do on the dunes, and check where to stay if you plan an overnight visit.
FAQ
How do I get from Tottori Station to the sand dunes?
Take bus 39 from platform 0 to Sakyu Kaikan or Sakyu Center Tenbodai. A sample trip takes 22 minutes and costs 380 JPY for adults.
Is there a direct bus from Tottori Airport to the dunes?
No. Take the airport bus to Tottori Station (about 20 minutes, 480 JPY), then bus 39. A taxi is a short drive.
When does the loop bus run?
No. The Kirin Jishi loop bus runs on Saturdays, Sundays, public days off and from 13 to 15 August, and not on 1 January.
How much is parking at the dunes?
Tottori Sakyu Parking costs 500 JPY per car, due again after each 24 hours. Sakyu Center and the nearby city lot are listed as free.