5 Photogenic Buildings and Townscapes in Tottori

Tottori is not just about the sand dunes! In fact, it overflows with photogenic spots that make you want to wander around camera in hand, from historic castles and Western-style mansions to Showa-era retro townscapes. This time we introduce five buildings and townscapes that will make you exclaim "So photogenic!" without thinking.

1. Tottori Castle Ruins (Mt. Kyusho) | The Fantastical Beauty of a Ruined Castle Woven from Stone Walls and Greenery

The absence of a keep tower is, paradoxically, what makes it beautiful. The overlapping stone walls built up along the lush, green slopes of Mt. Kyusho look just like a painting. For that "castle in the sky" atmosphere, early morning mist in autumn through winter is ideal. Shoot from a low angle looking up at the curve of the stone walls to convey a magnificent sense of scale. Restoration and repair work on the stone walls is ongoing within the historic site, and some areas may have restricted access. The mountain trail up Mt. Kyusho has steep sections and a risk of falling rocks, so wear comfortable shoes.

📍 Higashimachi, Tottori City / About 15 minutes on foot from JR Tottori Station

2. Jinpukaku | The Pure-White Western Mansion (※ Closed for long-term renovation until fiscal year 2029)

Built in 1907 (Meiji 40), this white Western-style mansion is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. However, it has been closed for a long-term "Reiwa Era Great Restoration" since the end of December 2023, with the planned reopening in fiscal year 2029 (Reiwa 11). During the construction period, the building is covered by scaffolding housing, making exterior photography impossible as well. The Horyu-in Garden and Hosen-an within the grounds remain open, and the "Tottori Castle Ruins / Jinpukaku Exhibition Hall" — a guidance facility opened in March 2024 — allows visitors to learn about the restoration project and the history of the Tottori Castle ruins. Be sure to check the latest information on the official Tottori City website before your visit.

📍 Higashimachi, Tottori City / About 15 minutes on foot from JR Tottori Station (adjacent to the Tottori Castle ruins)

3. Kurayoshi Shirakabe Storehouses | An Edo-Era Townscape That Makes You Want to Time-Travel

A nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Kurayoshi City Utsubuki-Tamagawa Traditional Buildings Preservation District), renowned for the beautiful contrast between its red-tiled roofs and white plaster walls. The row of storehouses stretching along the Tama River is an ideal location for reflection photography. Shooting in overcast light or the soft glow of late afternoon makes the white walls glow gently for an elegant result. Framing the buildings reflected in the river's surface in a vertical composition from a bridge is the classic Instagram shot.

📍 Shinmachi, Kurayoshi City / About 12 minutes by local bus from JR Kurayoshi Station; get off at "Akagawara Shirakabe Dozoguri." The preservation district is a living neighborhood, with many of the buildings operating as active shops. Please refrain from entering private property without permission and ask before photographing inside shops.

4. Yonago City San'in History Museum (Yonago City) | A Showa Modern Former City Hall

A three-story modern building erected in 1930 (Showa 5) as the Yonago City Hall, now designated as a Yonago City cultural property. Its red-brick-colored exterior is classically stylish, and the contrast with the surrounding shitamachi streetscape makes for an interesting juxtaposition. In the afternoon when the western sun hits, the exterior walls are bathed in warm tones for a film-photography finish. Open 9:30–18:00 (last entry 17:30); closed Tuesdays, the day after holidays, and over the New Year period. Permanent exhibitions are free to enter.

📍 20 Nakamachi, Yonago City (within walking distance from JR Yonago Station)

Tottori's streets are packed with history and beauty — grab a camera and explore them. Your own hidden gem of an Instagram shot is sure to be waiting for you around some unassuming corner.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season and time of day: For the Tottori Castle ruins, the cherry blossom season (usually early April) and early mornings in autumn and winter, when morning mist often forms. For the Kurayoshi white-walled storehouse district, cloudy days and late afternoons, when the light is even, are the easiest times to shoot.
• Opening hours / closing days: Jinpukaku has been closed for a long-term period since the end of December 2023 for the "Great Reiwa Restoration," and is scheduled to reopen in fiscal 2029 (Reiwa 11). During the work the building is covered by a temporary roof, so even its exterior cannot be photographed. The guidance facility on the same grounds, the "Tottori Castle Ruins and Jinpukaku Exhibition Hall," as well as Horyuin Garden and Hosen-an, remain open. The Yonago City San'in Museum of History is open 9:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30) and closed on Tuesdays, the day after a public holiday, and over the New Year period.
• Admission: Strolling the Tottori Castle ruins and the Kurayoshi white-walled storehouse district is free of charge. The permanent exhibition at the Yonago City San'in Museum of History is free to enter (special exhibitions are charged).
• Access: The Tottori Castle ruins and Jinpukaku can be reached by bus or on foot from JR Tottori Station. The Kurayoshi white-walled storehouse district is about 12 minutes by local bus from JR Kurayoshi Station, right by the "Akagawara / Shirakabe Dozo" stop. The Yonago City San'in Museum of History is at 20 Nakamachi, Yonago City, within walking distance of JR Yonago Station.
• Parking: Each area has sightseeing parking lots, but fees and the number of spaces vary. The roads around the Kurayoshi white-walled storehouse district are narrow, so please use the designated parking lots.
• Photography rules: The Kurayoshi white-walled storehouse district is a place where residents live, and many of the buildings are shops that are open for business. Please be considerate: do not enter private premises without permission, get permission before photographing shop interiors, and take care not to capture residents or customers in your shots. Follow the instructions of each facility and local authority as to whether tripods and drones may be used.
• Safety notes: At the Tottori Castle ruins there are restricted areas connected with the repair and maintenance of the stone walls. The climbing path up Mt. Kyusho is steep and there is a risk of falling rocks, so wear comfortable walking shoes and allow plenty of time. In winter, snow and ice make the stone steps slippery.

* The progress of the work, opening hours and closing days are subject to change. In particular, as Jinpukaku is closed long-term, always check the latest situation in Tottori City's official information before visiting.

(Sources: Tottori City official website (Cultural Properties Division, "Notice of the long-term closure of Jinpukaku" / Jinpukaku preservation and maintenance project), Tottori Castle Ruins and Jinpukaku Exhibition Hall official website, Kurayoshi City official website and Kurayoshi Tourist Information, Yonago City website "Yonago City San'in Museum of History")