Tottori, located in the northwest of Japan, has announced it is to accelerate efforts to preserve and promote its sand dunes, which are among the largest in the Country, utilising them as a natural attraction amid the growing popularity of Japan as a tourism destination.
The city and prefecture will celebrate World Sand Dune Day, an international event designed to raise awareness of the ecological significance and cultural value of sand dunes, with a series of volunteer-powered conservation sessions aimed at removing invasive vegetation from their dunes. Tottori has become the first Asian collaborator of the Sand Dune and Shingle Network, a UK-based nonprofit organisation that organises World Sand Dune Day.
Efforts are also being stepped up to promote international cooperation with other nations home to dune landscapes. Tottori Prefecture has signed “sand alliances” with Jordan and Saudi Arabia to leverage their shared natural resource—sand—for cultural exchange and tourism promotion.
Fostering Sustainable Tourism
Tottori has launched a series of weeding events as part of a long-term plan to rid its sand dunes of invasive plants. The Tottori Sand Dunes Mirai Council estimates that 20 to 30 per cent of the dunes have been overrun by non-native vegetation in the past 20 years.
The encroachment disrupts natural sand flow patterns, leading to the formation of mounds that cause erosion and loss of native biodiversity while hindering the expansion of activities. Longer term, these mounds could destabilise the dune system, threatening its survival.
Conservation activities commenced on May 30, when approximately 100 volunteers from the local area gathered on a warm evening to remove weeds and watch the sunset over the dunes.
Jinpei Yanagisawa, 43, said, “It’s fun to volunteer together. As the dunes are an important natural resource, we want to return them to their original state.”
Shogo Sakaguchi, 16, said, “I love coming here, and we need to protect the dunes for the future. If I can help clean up the dunes, more tourists will be able to enjoy them.”
The weeds that are pulled are being collected and used sustainably. Some are being turned into compost as part of a new initiative that originated from a local high school student’s idea, and others are being used to make washi paper, which is sold at the Sand Dunes Visitor Centre.
Now, Tottori is inviting domestic and international visitors to also take part in the weeding sessions, providing an opportunity for sustainable and eco-tourism in action. Ninety-minute weeding sessions are planned for June 27 and July 4 from 6 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from July 12 to September 7 (except August 16 and 17) from 6 am.
A spokesperson for the Tottori Sand Dunes Mirai Council Secretariat said, “We have much to do to reverse the damage caused by these invasive plants, but together, we can make the dunes healthy again and thrive for generations to come.”
Global Collaboration
Alongside conservation initiatives, Tottori is implementing “sand diplomacy” to raise international awareness of its dunes as a natural, cultural, and economic resource.
The prefecture has signed a “sand alliance” with the Jordan Pavilion at Expo 2025, prompted by the synergy of their exhibits. Approximately 10 tons of sand were transported from Tottori to the Osaka site to recreate the dune environment at the Tottori Prefecture Zone, and Jordan’s Pavilion features 22 tons of sand from Wadi Rum, a natural and cultural World Heritage Site.
Marking the association, Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai expressed his hope that Tottori and Jordan could “promote the wonders of sand dunes to people in Japan and overseas and build a lasting exchange.” Jordan’s Acting Commissioner-General Shifa Zghoul Haddad said Jordan and Tottori have the potential to “create some wonderful collaborations” through sand.
The prefecture has also entered a “sand alliance” with the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. Both sides have pledged to promote their respective sand-related exhibits at Expo 2025 and strengthen bilateral cultural exchange through the “meaningful” partnership.
Tottori has also become the first destination in Asia to cooperate with the Sand Dune and Shingle Network, which promotes the sustainable use of coastal environments worldwide through research, consultancy, and events, including in the UK, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium.
Dr Thomas Smyth of the Sand Dune and Shingle Network said, “Not many people know Japan for sand dunes, so we’re thrilled to engage with the Tottori Sand Dunes to promote greater knowledge sharing of sand dunes globally.”
Sand as a Tourism Resource
The Tottori Sand Dunes are the most popular sightseeing destination in Tottori, attracting over 1.3 million visitors annually. Drawing on the area’s connection to sand, the nearby Tottori Sand Museum is the world’s first permanent indoor exhibition space dedicated to sand art. Since opening in 2006, it has hosted various exhibitions, including this year’s sand sculptures created by 20 world-class artists from 12 countries, all themed around Japan.
Hirokazu Hirai, Chief of the Tourism & Geopark Promotion Section at Tottori City Government, said, “The Tottori Sand Dunes are designated a national park in Japan. We hope that our growing efforts to protect and preserve the dunes will raise awareness of their importance and inspire more visitors to come and see them. Together with the sand museum, we have a unique sand tourism offering.”
Allan Takahashi, Representative Director of Anoma Hospitality Group Co., Ltd, which is scheduled to open a Marriott Luxury Collection hotel near the Tottori Sand Dunes in 2029, added, “The Tottori Sand Dunes are one of many attractions that Tottori has to offer, and Tottori’s increasing efforts to showcase them to a global audience are sure to increase the area’s popularity as a tourist destination.”
Visitors to Tottori during the period of the wedding activities are welcome to take part. To sign up, please email [email protected] (application period: June 27 to September 7).
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