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.401 views
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Tottori beach near the Chiyo River.233 views
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Entrance to Tottori Sand Dunes226 views
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Hakuto Beach, famous for the folktale about a white rabbit crossing the ocean on crocodile backs.195 views
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Uomidai Lookout Point 魚見台176 views
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Ohchidani Shrine132 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).124 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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Jinpukaku Mansion built for the Taisho Emperor122 views
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe in sand. That's her dress in "The Seven Year Itch." Tottori Sand Museum.122 views
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Tennis player sand sculpture.121 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 2017.120 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.120 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.120 views
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Tottori City Hall119 views
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Hawaiian hula sand sculpture in Tottori.119 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.116 views
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George Washington was in two sculptures.116 views
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Tottori manhole111 views
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Yamabikokan (Tottori City History Museum)109 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.109 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.108 views
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An older shuttle bus for city sights.106 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.105 views
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Ohchidani Shrine101 views
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The sand dunes can be pretty steep, but not dangerous. They have downhill sand boarding.88 views
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Over many years, strong winds blew the ocean sand onto the beach to form the Tottori Sand dunes.88 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.87 views
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Very dramatic ocean at Tottori Sand Dunes.84 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.58 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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Looks steep.57 views
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Hardy sand sculpture.56 views
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About "Prosperity and expansion to the world."56 views
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About America's Space Program.56 views
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Looks like Gilligan from Gilligan's Island (Bob Denver).55 views
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Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon.55 views
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American astronaut.55 views
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Sand Museum's 2nd floor has a cafe and gift shop.55 views
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The exhibition had 19 large and medium-size sculptures showcasing a major aspect of Americana, centering mostly on people. 54 views
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe sand sculpure.54 views
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Laurel sand sculpture.54 views
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American sports sand sculpture.54 views
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American Art54 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.53 views
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Kids love to climb the slopes.53 views
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Lucille Ball sand sculpture. Or maybe it's Judy Garland.53 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.53 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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Football player sand sculpture.53 views
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About "American Sports."53 views
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President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture in Tottori.53 views
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Thomas Edison, American inventor.53 views
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About American Invention and Industrialization.53 views
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Based on the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" about slavery.53 views
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Civil War and Abe Lincoln sand sculpture.53 views
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Signing the Declaration of Independence, sand sculpture in Tottori.53 views
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About "Declaration of Independence."53 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.53 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture. Very impressive.53 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.53 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.53 views
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About the "The Wild West."53 views
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American space exploration with the old Space Shuttle.53 views
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Complete with tikis.53 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. 53 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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Here's another outdoor sand sculpture.53 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.53 views
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Sculpture outside the museum entrance.52 views
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Sand Museum entrance.52 views
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Centerpiece sand sculpture when you enter the Sand Museum.52 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.52 views
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Statue of Liberty Sand sculpture.52 views
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American junk food sand sculpture. Titled "American Life."52 views
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Ella Fitzgerald sand sculpture.52 views
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Toward the rear of the museum was Mt. Rushmore in sand.52 views
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About "Civil War and Abraham Lincoln."52 views
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Signing the Declaration of Independence.52 views
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Mt. Rushmore sand sculpture.52 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.52 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.52 views
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About "Native Americans."52 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.52 views
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"The Wild West"52 views
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About "American Art"52 views
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Hawaiian sand sculpture with a surfer on a wave joined by...52 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. 52 viewsThis USA sand sculpture exhibition ended on Jan. 3, 2018.
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View of the sand dunes from the Sand Museum.52 views
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Entrance to exhibition area.51 views
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The sculptures were created by professional sand sculptors (didn't know there was such an occupation) mostly from overseas.51 views
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John Wayne sand sculpture.51 views
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About New York Sand sculpture.51 views
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Football player sand sculpture.51 views
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Boxer sand sculpture.51 views
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It didn't depict anyone recognizable.51 views
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About "American Music."51 views
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Ben Franklin.51 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.51 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.51 views
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About "Gold Rush."51 views
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Native Americans sand sculpture.51 views
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Bison51 views
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Bear51 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.51 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.51 views
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Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. 51 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.51 views
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USA sand sculptors.51 views
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Sand Museum's gift shop also sold Hawaiian goods.51 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.50 views
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Although the sand dunes are shrinking, there's still lots of sand here.50 views
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Sand Museum entrance.50 views
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Inside the Sand Museum in Tottori. Giant sand sculptures all representing the USA.50 views
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About "American Life."50 views
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Rear part of the museum.50 views
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About "Uncle Tom's Cabin."50 views
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.50 views
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This pit in the middle features a water-related sculpture.50 views
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Native American sand sculpture. Very realistic.50 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.50 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.49 viewsMaybe only a 10- or 15-min. walk away. Depending on whether you climb the dunes or not.
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From the top of the dune.49 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.49 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.49 views
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Sand Museum entrance had a sculpture of a dog since 2018 was the Year of the Dog.49 views
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About "Hollywood."49 views
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Behind the Hollywood sculpture was the New York sculpture.49 views
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Tennis player and volleyball player sand sculptures.49 views
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American music, especially jazz. Looks like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.49 views
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The theme for this was "Prosperity and expansion to the world" with the Panama Canal as one example.49 views
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Thomas Edison, American inventor sand sculpture.49 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.49 views
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George Washington was in two sculptures.49 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.49 views
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Wildlife49 views
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Andy Warhol sand sculpture complete with cans of Campbell soup.49 views
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Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. This was the Hawaiian one protected by a tarp.49 views
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The sand is quite solid, not soft like beach sand on Waikiki.48 views
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Bus stop to go back to Tottori Station.48 views
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Charlie Chaplin48 views
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George Washington sand sculpture.48 views
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The Tottori Sand Dunes is in the city of Tottori, a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.47 views
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Camel rides even. Seem to be a good business, but they don't go very far.47 views
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Tottori Sand Dunes are very photogenic, and many photographers have used it for artistic shoots.47 views
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The Sand Museum is a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.47 views
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Hamburger and ice cream float.47 views
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.47 views
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Devil's Tower in sand.47 views
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Wind-blown footprints.45 views
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JR Tottori Station is on the San'in Line along the Sea of Japan coast.45 views
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Toripy (Trippy), Tottori's official mascot in front of JR Tottori Station.45 views
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Dragon bench in Tottori.45 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.44 views
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Dragon43 views
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Sculpture in front of JR Tottori Station.41 views
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JR Tottori Station41 views
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JR Tottori Station40 views
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Nude sculpture at Tottori Station.40 views
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Covered arcade in front of Tottori Station40 views
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Sculpture in front of JR Tottori Station.39 views
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During the year end, Shan shan matsuri dancers greet people returning home.39 views
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Tottori Station39 views
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Shopping arcade near Tottori Station.39 views
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Tottori Post Office39 views
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Tottori Station roofs with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.38 views
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Street signs in front of Tottori Station.38 views
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Shopping arcade near Tottori Station.38 views
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Tottori Post Office sand sculptures.38 views
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JR Tottori Station37 views
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Sculpture in front of JR Tottori Station.36 views
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During the year end, people wait for family members returning home.36 views
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Sand sculptures in the station.36 views
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Tourist information office.36 views
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