Tanegaike Bentenmiya, a Quiet Wealth Power Spot near the Tottori Sand Dunes

Right behind the Tottori Sand Dunes lies a quiet body of water called Lake Tanegaike. On its shore stands Tanegaike Bentenmiya. Step away from the bustle of the dunes and the air seems to clear, opening into a calm world. The shrine enshrines Benzaiten, the goddess of wealth and fortune, and locals have long known it affectionately as Otane Benten.

With a circumference of about 3.4 kilometers and a maximum depth of about 15 meters, it is known as the deepest lake in the Chugoku region and holds water of high clarity. The steep slope of the dunes presses in just to the northwest, creating a distinctive scene where sand and water sit side by side. A legend tells of a woman named Otane who changed into a white serpent in this lake, and even now people quietly visit to pray for wealth and good fortune.

Highlights

• The shrine hall standing quietly on the lakeshore
• A lake of high clarity about 3.4 kilometers around, said to be the deepest in the Chugoku region
• The legend of Otane, tied to the white serpent said to be Benzaitens messenger
• A distinctive scene where the steep dune slope and the waterside sit side by side
• A calm waterside mood quite unlike the dunes nearby

The area where the Bentenmiya stands was once an island within the lake, but is said to have become joined to land as the sand of the dunes advanced. The story is still handed down of how Otane, who crossed to the island in the lake to gather persimmons for the household she served, in time became the spirit of the water.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the fresh greenery around the lake is soft and pleasant for a stroll. In summer the shade brings cool air and the water mirrors the light. In autumn the surrounding trees turn color, and persimmons tied to the legend ripen. In winter few people come, and you can face the lake in stillness. On the day of the snake in the old calendar, some visitors come especially to pray.

Access and Basic Information

• Located in Fukube, Tottori City, right beside the Tottori Sand Dunes
• Only a few minutes by car from the dunes
• Easy to combine with a visit to the sand dunes
• A walking path circles the lake for an unhurried visit

Practical Travel Notes

• Touring it together with the Tottori Sand Dunes is the standard, and many people stop by on the way back from the dunes
• The lake is deep and the waterside can be damp underfoot, so walk the path rather than forcing your way to the edge
• Benzaiten is regarded as a deity of wealth and fortune, and the shrine is known as a place to pray for money luck
• The quiet setting makes it a good choice when you want to settle your heart after the bustle of the dunes
• Timing a visit to a day of the snake lets you feel the atmosphere of Benten faith all the more

A Quick Tip

It is best visited together with the dunes. After spending lively time on the sand, putting your hands together quietly at this shrine helps settle the heart. The waterside can be damp underfoot, so wear comfortable shoes for walking.

📚 Sources

This article draws on sightseeing information published by Tottori City and its tourism association, along with local tradition about Tanegaike Bentengu and the worship of Benzaiten. On-site guidance along the pond and near the dunes was also consulted. Visits and the state of nearby paths may change, so please confirm official information before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Allow about 30 minutes to an hour for the lakeside stroll and visit.
• Preparation: Comfortable shoes suit walking the pond edge and sandy ground.
• Getting around: Walk the shore of quiet Lake Tanega and pair it with the shrine enshrining Benzaiten.
• Combine with: Just behind the Tottori Sand Dunes, it pairs easily with dune sightseeing.
• Note: In a calm setting, it suits a quiet visit.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Location: Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture 689-0105
• Enshrined deities: Benzaiten and Otane
• Blessings sought here: good fortune with money, wealth and prosperous business
• Access: About 20 minutes by bus from JR Tottori Station, right by the "Sakyu Higashiguchi" stop
• Parking: Available (free of charge), with space for 65 ordinary cars and 10 large buses
• Shrine office: Open 8:30-12:00 on "Mi no Hi" (Days of the Snake) and "Tsuchinoto-Mi no Hi" (it is normally closed)
• How to worship: After praying in front of the shrine, walk around it 3 times clockwise, making the same wish each time you come back to the front, and your wish is said to come true
• About the pond: It is a dammed lake formed when the Tottori Sand Dunes blocked the water, with an average depth of about 17 meters. It lies within the Tottori Sand Dunes area of the San'in Kaigan Geopark, where you can observe valuable geological features connected with the formation of the Sea of Japan

* Admission fees and the hours during which you may visit are not officially published.

(Sources: Tottori City tourism website [official] "Tanegaike Bentengu", Tottori Tabi [official] Tottori Prefecture sightseeing and travel information website "Tanegaike")