Most viewed - Tottori city 鳥取市 |
Tottori Sand Dunes looked like this when I first visited years ago. The shape does not seem to change.390 views
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Tottori beach near the Chiyo River.226 views
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Entrance to Tottori Sand Dunes216 views
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Hakuto Beach, famous for the folktale about a white rabbit crossing the ocean on crocodile backs.185 views
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Uomidai Lookout Point 魚見台165 views
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Ohchidani Shrine118 views
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Jinpukaku Mansion built for the Taisho Emperor112 views
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Tennis player sand sculpture.109 views
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Tottori City Hall107 views
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe in sand. That's her dress in "The Seven Year Itch." Tottori Sand Museum.106 views
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President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture. Mr. Rough Rider himself. Look at how detailed it is. Notice the veins on his hand.106 views
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Hawaiian hula sand sculpture in Tottori.106 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.106 views
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This sand sculpture's theme was "Hollywood" in the 1950s-60s. John Wayne, Laurel and Hardy, Lucille Ball (I think). Tottori Sand Museum in 2017.104 views
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George Washington was in two sculptures.103 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.100 views
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Yamabikokan (Tottori City History Museum)98 views
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The Sands of Tottori. Every prefecture has something nationally (and sometimes internationally) famous. In the case of Tottori, it's definitely the sand dunes (sakyu in Japanese).98 viewsIt's on the beach facing the Sea of Japan. The dunes were formed by the ocean currents that deposited the sand on the coast for 100,000 years or so. I find that amazing since most of the beaches I know have the ocean currents eat away the sand.
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Tottori manhole97 views
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An older shuttle bus for city sights.96 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.95 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.92 views
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Ohchidani Shrine90 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.89 views
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The sand dunes can be pretty steep, but not dangerous. They have downhill sand boarding.76 views
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Over many years, strong winds blew the ocean sand onto the beach to form the Tottori Sand dunes.74 views
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The San'in coast has lots of little islands and rocks. This is Japan's No. 1 sand dunes for tourists. Quite white and convenient to get here.73 views
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Very dramatic ocean at Tottori Sand Dunes.73 views
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About America's Space Program.42 views
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This man told me that this happens only when there are strong winds. I was relieved to hear that it wasn't every day.41 views
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Across the road from the Tottori sand dunes is The Sand Museum exhibiting incredible giant sand sculptures. The Sand Museum opened in 2012 and it's the world's first and only museum dedicated to sand sculptures.41 viewsThe Sand Museum holds a sand sculpture exhibition from April to early January every year featuring a different country or region outside Japan. In 2017, the theme was the U.S.A.
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Lucille Ball sand sculpture. Or maybe it's Judy Garland.41 views
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About "Prosperity and expansion to the world."41 views
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However, the Hawaiian sculpture's explanation was disappointing. As you can see, it doesn't mention Hawaii's special relationship with Japan and the fact that hula is very popular in Japan. 41 viewsNot to mention that Tottori Prefecture also has a hot spring resort named "Hawai Onsen" (羽合温泉) where they hold a hula festival every summer.
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe sand sculpure.40 views
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Hardy sand sculpture.40 views
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Statue of Liberty Sand sculpture.40 views
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American junk food sand sculpture. Titled "American Life."40 views
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Boxer sand sculpture.40 views
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About "American Music."40 views
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About American Invention and Industrialization.40 views
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About "Uncle Tom's Cabin."40 views
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Toward the rear of the museum was Mt. Rushmore in sand.40 views
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Signing the Declaration of Independence, sand sculpture in Tottori.40 views
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Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon.40 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.40 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.40 views
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About "Native Americans."40 views
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American space exploration with the old Space Shuttle.40 views
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Nearby was another hula sculpture still in progress. I didn't understand why he was still working on this when this USA sand sculpture exhibition would end a few days after my visit. 40 viewsThis USA sand sculpture exhibition ended on Jan. 3, 2018.
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USA sand sculptors.40 views
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Looks steep.39 views
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Sculpture outside the museum entrance.39 views
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Sand Museum entrance.39 views
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The exhibition had 19 large and medium-size sculptures showcasing a major aspect of Americana, centering mostly on people. 39 views
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Laurel sand sculpture.39 views
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Centerpiece sand sculpture when you enter the Sand Museum.39 views
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About "Hollywood."39 views
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It takes a few weeks to complete a large sculpture. After the exhibition ends, the sculptures are sadly destroyed and the sand is reused for the next exhibition.39 views
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About New York Sand sculpture.39 views
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Tennis player and volleyball player sand sculptures.39 views
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Football player sand sculpture.39 views
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It didn't depict anyone recognizable.39 views
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President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture in Tottori.39 views
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Thomas Edison, American inventor.39 views
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About "Civil War and Abraham Lincoln."39 views
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About "Declaration of Independence."39 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.39 views
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American astronaut.39 views
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American Art39 views
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Hawaiian sand sculpture with a surfer on a wave joined by...39 views
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Sand Museum's 2nd floor has a cafe and gift shop.39 views
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Sand Museum entrance.38 views
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The sculptures were created by professional sand sculptors (didn't know there was such an occupation) mostly from overseas.38 views
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John Wayne sand sculpture.38 views
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The sand sculptures are made with tightly packed sand (minimal air between the grains). They don't use any adhesive. Just sand and water packed in a wooden mold, then carved.38 viewsThey don't use any reinforcing frames inside the sculptures either. So it's quite common for parts of the sculpture to fall off or break while the artist is making it.
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American sports sand sculpture.38 views
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Football player sand sculpture.38 views
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About "American Sports."38 views
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American music, especially jazz. Looks like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.38 views
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Ella Fitzgerald sand sculpture.38 views
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The theme for this was "Prosperity and expansion to the world" with the Panama Canal as one example.38 views
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Rear part of the museum.38 views
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Based on the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" about slavery.38 views
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Looks like Gilligan from Gilligan's Island (Bob Denver).38 views
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Civil War and Abe Lincoln sand sculpture.38 views
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Signing the Declaration of Independence.38 views
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Mt. Rushmore sand sculpture.38 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.38 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture. Very impressive.38 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.38 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.38 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.38 views
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Native Americans sand sculpture.38 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.38 views
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"The Wild West"38 views
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About the "The Wild West."38 views
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About "American Art"38 views
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Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. 38 views
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Complete with tikis.38 views
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Here's another outdoor sand sculpture.38 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.38 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.38 views
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Sand Museum's gift shop also sold Hawaiian goods.38 views
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View of the sand dunes from the Sand Museum.38 views
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This is what I saw when I arrived at the sand dunes. Sand all over this parking lot across the road from the dunes.37 views
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Although the sand dunes are shrinking, there's still lots of sand here.37 views
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From the top of the dune.37 views
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The steepest part looks to be around 40˚. There are more gradual slopes that you can easily go up and reach the top.37 views
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Kids love to climb the slopes.37 views
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The first time I visited Tottori was in summer so the sand and sun were too hot to walk across to the ocean. No problem in winter so I finally got to see the ocean beyond the dunes.37 views
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Entrance to exhibition area.37 views
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Charlie Chaplin37 views
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Behind the Hollywood sculpture was the New York sculpture.37 views
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Hamburger and ice cream float.37 views
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About "American Life."37 views
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Thomas Edison, American inventor sand sculpture.37 views
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.37 views
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.37 views
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Ben Franklin.37 views
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Devil's Tower in sand.37 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.37 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.37 views
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George Washington was in two sculptures.37 views
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This pit in the middle features a water-related sculpture.37 views
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About "Gold Rush."37 views
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Bear37 views
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Andy Warhol sand sculpture complete with cans of Campbell soup.37 views
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Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. This was the Hawaiian one protected by a tarp.37 views
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Hula dancers. Nice that Hawaii was the only US state that got its own sculpture. Very appropriate since it's the closest one to Japan.37 views
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The sand is quite solid, not soft like beach sand on Waikiki.36 views
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Wind-blown footprints.36 views
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When you see the Tottori Sand Dunes, you'll see tiny humans way out in the distance. They look to be far, far away, but the distance is surprisingly close.36 viewsMaybe only a 10- or 15-min. walk away. Depending on whether you climb the dunes or not.
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Tottori Sand Dunes are very photogenic, and many photographers have used it for artistic shoots.36 views
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The Sand Museum is a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.36 views
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Sand Museum entrance had a sculpture of a dog since 2018 was the Year of the Dog.36 views
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Inside the Sand Museum in Tottori. Giant sand sculptures all representing the USA.36 views
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George Washington sand sculpture.36 views
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Native American sand sculpture. Very realistic.36 views
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Wildlife36 views
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Bison36 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.36 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.36 views
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The Tottori Sand Dunes is in the city of Tottori, a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.35 views
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Camel rides even. Seem to be a good business, but they don't go very far.35 views
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Bus stop to go back to Tottori Station.35 views
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This sandy hill is named "The Horse's Back" because it's similar in shape. It's the most touristy part of the sand dunes.34 views
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Toripy (Trippy), Tottori's official mascot in front of JR Tottori Station.33 views
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Dragon bench in Tottori.30 views
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JR Tottori Station is on the San'in Line along the Sea of Japan coast.28 views
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Street signs in front of Tottori Station.28 views
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Tottori Post Office sand sculptures.28 views
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Sculpture in front of JR Tottori Station.27 views
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Sculpture in front of JR Tottori Station.27 views
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JR Tottori Station27 views
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During the year end, Shan shan matsuri dancers greet people returning home.27 views
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Tottori Station roofs with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.27 views
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Nude sculpture at Tottori Station.27 views
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Dragon27 views
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Tottori Post Office27 views
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Sculpture in front of JR Tottori Station.26 views
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JR Tottori Station26 views
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Sand sculptures in the station.26 views
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Tottori Station26 views
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Covered arcade in front of Tottori Station26 views
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City street near Tottori Station.26 views
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Shopping arcade near Tottori Station.26 views
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Shopping arcade near Tottori Station.26 views
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JR Tottori Station25 views
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During the year end, people wait for family members returning home.25 views
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