20 Museums in Tottori worth your time

The first public art museum in Sanin, featuring a large collection of local works and Art Nouveau glass crafts.

What it is

• The first public art museum in the Sanin region, opened in 1983.
• A facility housing over 1800 works created by local artists.
• A renovated space that reopened to the public in August 2013.
• The museum is located directly adjacent to the Yonago City Library.

What to see

• A collection of 79 Art Nouveau glass crafts donated in 2017.
• Rotating collection exhibitions held two to three times every year.
• Extensive displays of artwork produced by artists from the local area.

When to go

• The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
• Closed every Wednesday and during the New Year holidays.

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from Yonago Station to the museum entrance.
• No dedicated parking lot is available for general visitors.

Official site

www.yonagobunka.net

Read more about Yonago City Museum of Art

This park preserves Japan's largest Yayoi-period settlement, offering insights into prehistoric life and technology.

What it is

• Large public park for prehistoric ruins.
• Preserves a settlement from late Yayoi to early Kofun period.
• Archaeological research site and educational resource.
• Village active before writing was introduced from Asian mainland.

What to see

• Excavated ruins of approximately 950 buildings.
• Reconstructed pit dwellings and raised storehouses.
• Fragments of a bronze mirror of Chinese origin.
• Yayoi Mukibanda Hall with museum displays and dioramas.
• Archaeological exhibition center sheltering excavated pit dwellings.
• Outdoor excavation activity area for learning techniques.

Getting there

• Located at the foot of Mt. Daisen.
• Overlooks the Yumigahama Peninsula.

Address

〒689-3324　鳥取県西伯郡大山町妻木1115-4 Map

Official site

www.pref.tottori.lg.jp

Read more about Tottori Prefectural Mukibanda Historical Park

This museum commemorates manga artist Mizuki Shigeru's life and work, offering insight into his inspirations.

What it is

• Museum commemorating manga artist Mizuki Shigeru.
• Opened in 2003 on Mizuki Shigeru Road.
• Two-story museum in Sakaiminato city.

What to see

• Letters, photos, audio, video of Mizuki's life.
• Mizuki’s ethnographic collection of masks and carvings.
• Recreated home workspace with desk and drawing implements.
• Detailed dioramas based on yokai nightmares.
• Forty-three realistic yokai figurines in the Yokai Cave.
• Illustrated map of Japan showing local yokai and spirits.

Getting there

• Located on Mizuki Shigeru Road.

Address

〒684-0025　鳥取県境港市本町5 Map

Official site

mizuki.sakaiminato.net

Read more about Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum

See diverse folk crafts, old and new, at this museum near Tottori Station.

What it is

• A museum in Tottori City, founded in 1949.
• Exhibits folk crafts from Japan, Korea, China, and Western Europe.
• Displays new folk crafts designed by founder Shoya Yoshida.
• Serves as office for the Tottori Folk Crafts Association.

What to see

• Approximately 3500 old folk crafts.
• Approximately 1500 new folk crafts.
• Specializes in Yi Dynasty ceramics and Goryeo tea bowls.
• Building registered as a national tangible cultural property.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from JR Tottori Station.

Address

〒680-0831　鳥取県鳥取市栄町651 Map

Official site

www.tottori-mingei.jp

Read more about Tottori Folk Crafts Museum

This exhibition hall displays a temple replica and artifacts from a historic site, showing the region's past.

What it is

• Exhibition hall opened in 2011.
• Houses a replica of a temple's main hall.
• Presents story of Kamiyodo Haiji Temple and region.

What to see

• Full-scale replica of the temple’s main hall.
• Reconstructions of original devotional statues.
• Thousands of fragments of excavated statues.
• Reproductions of painted plaster wall murals.
• Foundation stones of the temple at original location.
• Tumulus graves of important leaders.

When to go

• Any time of year during opening hours.

Address

鳥取県米子市淀江町福岡977-2 Map

Official site

www.hakuhou.jp

Read more about Kamiyodo Hakuhō-no-Oka Exhibition Hall

Yonago Municipal Historical Museum: Explore local history in a historic former city hall building.

What it is

• Opened in 1940 as a historical museum.
• Houses 9300 archaeological, historical, and folk items.
• Uses the former Yonago City Hall building.
• Building designated a Tangible Cultural Property.

What to see

• Former Yonago City Hall building, built in 1930.
• Building designed by Koichi Sato and Norio Masudo.
• Three-story reinforced concrete structure.
• Exterior features red brick-colored tiles.

When to go

• Open 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Closed Tuesdays and the day after holidays.

Address

〒683-0822　鳥取県米子市中町20 Map

Official site

www.yonagobunka.net

Read more about Yonago Municipal Historical Museum

Explore Japan's largest beech forest diorama and surrounding primeval forests at this nature museum.

What it is

• A nature museum in Wakasa Town, Tottori Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the natural environment of Hyōnosen.
• Known for Japan's largest diorama of a beech forest.

What to see

• A 23m diameter, 10m high diorama of a beech forest.
• The diorama covers 415 square meters.
• Primeval forests surrounding the museum at 900m elevation.
• Mascot character based on forest fairies.

What to do

• Join nature observation tours.

Good to know

• Admission is free.

Address

〒680-0728　鳥取県八頭郡若桜町つくよね635-175 Map

Official site

hibikinomori.gr.jp

Read more about Hyōnosen Nature Museum – Hibikinomori

This museum displays 4,000 taxidermy fish specimens and traditional local life in repurposed sake warehouses.

What it is

• Museum primarily devoted to fish.
• Opened in 1994.
• Displays 4,000 taxidermy marine life specimens.
• Housed in former sake warehouses.

What to see

• Taxidermy specimens of large marine species.
• Colorful crabs and other crustaceans.
• Display of hundreds of puffed-up blowfish.
• Former sake warehouse exterior and original wooden frames.
• Fishing industry tools, equipment, and an entire fishing boat.
• Collection of farming implements, garments, and tools.

Address

〒684-0016　鳥取県境港市花町8-1 Map

Official site

umikura.com

Read more about Fish Specimens and Old Japanese Life Museum

Tottori Prefectural Museum: explore local history, art, and nature for a small fee.

What it is

• A general museum in Tottori City.
• Exhibits materials related to Tottori Prefecture.
• Predecessor established in 1949.
• Current museum completed on October 1, 1972.

What to see

• Historical materials reading room available.
• 15,000 historical materials of the Ikeda family.
• Art exhibition rooms.
• History and folklore exhibition rooms.
• Geology and biology exhibition rooms.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Mondays.

Address

鳥取県鳥取市東町2-124 Map

Official site

site5.tori-info.co.jp

Read more about Tottori Prefectural Museum

Tottori City Historical Museum: explore local history and culture near Ochodani Shrine.

What it is

• A museum nicknamed Yamabiko-kan.
• Opened on July 1, 2000.
• Exhibits Tottori's historical and cultural climate.
• Operated by the Tottori City Cultural Foundation.

What to see

• Nine zones in the permanent exhibition room.
• Underground permanent exhibition room, renovated 2021.
• A museum shop.
• A museum cafe.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.

Getting there

• Located on the approach to Ochodani Shrine.

Address

〒680-0015　鳥取県鳥取市上町88 Map

Official site

www.tbz.or.jp

Read more about Tottori City Historical Museum

Explore ancient Inaba history and poetry, including rare artifacts and a panoramic view.

What it is

• History museum in Tottori City.
• Dedicated to Manyoshu poets and Inaba's history.
• Located where Inaba Province's capital once stood.

What to see

• Exhibits on Otomo no Yakamochi's life and art.
• Large models of Inaba Province's capital and kofun.
• Materials about Ifukibe no Tokotarihime.
• Tokotarihime's bone container, a national cultural property.
• Composer Akira Ifukube's handwritten scores.
• Observation room in the 30m high symbol tower.

Address

〒680-0146　鳥取県鳥取市国府町町屋726 Map

Official site

www.tbz.or.jp

Read more about Inaba Manyo Historical Museum

See violin making and performances in a unique gassho-zukuri style building.

What it is

• Opened in 1984, dedicated to violin making and performance.
• Only facility showing violin making to performance.
• Managed by the Misasa String Project since 2013.

What to see

• First floor: craftsmen making and adjusting instruments.
• Observe students training to be violin makers.
• Second floor: used as a music hall.
• Building design mimics gassho-zukuri style.

When to go

• Open from 10 AM to 6 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays.

Official site

misasavm.com

Read more about Misasa Violin Museum

The Sand Museum showcases intricate sand sculptures by global artists, with themes changing annually.

What it is

• A sand sculpture exhibition event.
• Held periodically since 2006.
• Exhibitions change themes almost once a year.
• Produced by professional sand sculptors.

What to see

• Intricate sand sculptures from various countries.
• Displays moved indoors from 2012.
• Museum office and shop in an adjacent building.
• Night lighting creates different shadows after sunset.

When to go

• Closed for preparation from New Year to spring.

Address

〒689-0105　鳥取県鳥取市福部町湯山2083-17 Map

Official site

www.sand-museum.jp

Read more about Sand Museum

Explore photographer Teiko Shiotani's birthplace, a museum showcasing his work in historic buildings.

What it is

• A private museum dedicated to photographer Teiko Shiotani.
• Opened on April 26, 2014.
• Established in Shiotani's birthplace.
• Located in Kotoura Town, Tottori Prefecture.

What to see

• Five buildings registered as national tangible cultural properties.
• Main building constructed in 1906.
• Gallery building constructed in 1874.
• Rice storehouse constructed in 1872.
• Pawn storehouse constructed in 1879.
• New storehouse constructed in 1902.

Address

〒689-2501　鳥取県東伯郡琴浦町赤碕1568 Map

Official site

teiko.jp

Read more about Teiko Shiotani Memorial Photo Gallery

A public museum in Kurayoshi City, showcasing local art and history since 1974.

What it is

• A public museum and art museum.
• Opened in 1974, succeeding a local museum.
• Features both art and history departments.
• Designated one of the '100 Buildings of Tottori Prefecture'.

What to see

• Works by artists Maeda Kanji, Suga Tatehiko, and Hasegawa Tomisaburo.
• Archaeological materials, including important cultural properties.
• The building itself, completed in 1973.
• A deck connecting to the Museum of History and Folklore.

Address

鳥取県倉吉市仲ノ町3445-8 Map

Official site

www1.city.kurayoshi.lg.jp

Read more about Kurayoshi Museum

Explore local history and culture at this theme park, featuring a historic residence and museum.

What it is

• A theme park focused on local history and culture.
• Founded to preserve and showcase Wakasa Town's heritage.

What to see

• History and folklore museum, built in 1907.
• Japanese garden for peaceful strolls.
• Sambyakuya Residence, a protected cultural property.
• Relocated gate of Mudoyama Eifukuji Temple.
• Takumi-no-yakata, introducing traditional crafts.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Wakasa Station.

Official site

kanko.town.wakasa.tottori.jp

Read more about Wakasa Town Historical Village

Japan's newest prefectural art museum, with a striking design and Andy Warhol sculptures.

What it is

• Opened March 30, 2025, in Kurayoshi City.
• Originated from the Tottori Prefectural Museum art department.
• Last prefecture to establish a prefectural art museum.

What to see

• Building designed by Maki and Associates and Takenaka Corporation.
• Five Andy Warhol Brillo Box sculptures.
• Three-story atrium.
• Prefectural gallery, hall, and workshop rooms.
• Shop, cafe restaurant, and kids space.
• Observation terrace.

Address

〒682-0816　鳥取県倉吉市駄経寺町2-3-12 Map

Official site

tottori-moa.jp

Read more about Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art

A museum dedicated to manga artist Gosho Aoyama, worth visiting for fans of his work.

What it is

• A manga and anime museum.
• Dedicated to manga artist Gosho Aoyama.
• Opened on March 18, 2007.
• Selected as an Anime Pilgrimage Site 88.

What to see

• A museum shop.
• A Volkswagen Type 1 on display.

When to go

• Open 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM from April to October.
• Open 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM from November to March.

Getting there

• An 18-minute walk from Yura Station.

Address

鳥取県東伯郡北栄町由良宿1414 Map

Official site

www.gamf.jp

Read more about Gōshō Aoyama Manga Factory

Explore the San'in Kaigan Geopark's geology and marine life for free at this museum.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to the San'in Kaigan Geopark.
• Opened in 1981 as a natural science museum.
• Renewed in 2010 as a geopark facility.

What to see

• Exhibition rooms with geological displays.
• Aquariums showing marine life.
• Shell and rock specimens.
• Singing sand exhibit.
• 3D videos of the San'in Kaigan Geopark.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Official site

www.pref.tottori.lg.jp

Read more about San'in Kaigan Geopark Museum of the Earth and Sea

See traditional Hina dolls and enjoy views from this unique wooden museum near Mochigase Station.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Hina dolls.
• Opened in 1986.
• Housed in a wooden building.

What to see

• Exhibitions of Hina dolls on two floors.
• Observation deck on the third floor.
• Museum shop and restaurant.

When to go

• Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Closed on Wednesdays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Mochigase Station.

Address

〒689-1211　鳥取県鳥取市用瀬町別府33-3 Map

Official site

nagashibinanoyakata.jp

Read more about Nagashibina Doll Museum