 Most viewed - TOTTORI 鳥取県 |
Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography. Beautiful museum in the middle of nowhere, dedicated to the late Ueda Shoji, one of Japan's most famous fine-art photographers.1010 views
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Inside one of the galleries.845 views
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Uradome Coast, Tottori, part of the San-in Coast National Park. 山陰海岸国立公園797 views
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Uradome Coast, Tottori513 views
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Mt. Daisen, Tottori Pref.464 views
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Perfect for snorkeling, Uradome Coast, Tottori451 views
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Tottori Sand Dunes looked like this when I first visited years ago. The shape does not seem to change.405 views
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Yumigahama beach, Yonago, Tottori Pref.360 views
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Front view. On the left, there is a small lens in the wall for a camera obscura.274 views
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Uradome Coast, Tottori, part of the San-in Coast National Park. 山陰海岸国立公園269 views
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Entrance242 views
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Tottori beach near the Chiyo River.236 views
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Entrance to Tottori Sand Dunes227 views
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224 views
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Now entering Iwami-cho town from Fukui.205 views
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View of Mt. Daisen.204 views
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Hakuto Beach, famous for the folktale about a white rabbit crossing the ocean on crocodile backs.197 views
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View of Mt. Daisen.197 views
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Uomidai Lookout Point 魚見台178 views
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Motomachi Sunroad shopping arcade159 views
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Slope on Mt. Daisen.139 views
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Ohchidani Shrine133 views
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Border of Hawai-cho (now part of Yurihama city).127 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).126 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 Emperor125 views
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe in sand. That's her dress in "The Seven Year Itch." Tottori Sand Museum.125 views
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Tottori City Hall123 views
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Hawaiian hula sand sculpture in Tottori.123 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 2017.122 views
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Tennis player sand sculpture.122 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.121 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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Map of the Hawai-cho area.117 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.117 views
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George Washington was in two sculptures.117 views
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Street in front of Yonago Station114 views
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Tottori manhole113 views
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JR Yonago Station 米子駅112 views
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Tottori manhole with Shan Shan Matsuri umbrella design.112 views
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An older shuttle bus for city sights.111 views
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Yamabikokan (Tottori City History Museum)111 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.109 views
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Mt. Daisen in winter as seen from the train. Tottori Prefecture.104 views
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Statue of Yokozuna Kotozakura, a grand champion sumo wrestler from Kurayoshi, Tottori. 横綱琴櫻103 views
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Nakaumi102 views
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Hawai Rinkai Koen Beach Park in northern Lake Togo when I once cycled here. 羽合臨海公園102 views
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Ohchidani Shrine101 views
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View of Mt. Daisen from the main highway.99 viewsMy bicycle.
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Manhole for Yurihama town, Tottori Prefecture. Famous for Hawai Onsen, Togo Onsen, and Lake Togo.98 views
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Back view of statue of Yokozuna Kotozakura, a grand champion sumo wrestler from Kurayoshi, Tottori.97 views
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Statue of Yokozuna Kotozakura, a grand champion sumo wrestler from Kurayoshi, Tottori. 横綱琴櫻96 views
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Mt. Daisen in winter as seen from the train. Tottori Prefecture.96 views
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JR Yonago Station94 views
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Bus stop on Daisen.93 views
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The sand dunes can be pretty steep, but not dangerous. They have downhill sand boarding.90 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.89 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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Kurayoshi, Tottori manhole.88 views
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Very dramatic ocean at Tottori Sand Dunes.86 views
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Statue of Yokozuna Kotozakura, a sumo wrestler from Kurayoshi, Tottori. 横綱琴櫻85 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.60 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.58 views
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Hardy sand sculpture.58 views
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American junk food sand sculpture. Titled "American Life."58 views
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Looks like Gilligan from Gilligan's Island (Bob Denver).58 views
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The exhibition had 19 large and medium-size sculptures showcasing a major aspect of Americana, centering mostly on people. 57 views
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Closeup of Marilyn Monroe sand sculpure.57 views
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About America's Space Program.57 views
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Sand Museum's 2nd floor has a cafe and gift shop.57 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.56 views
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Laurel sand sculpture.56 views
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About "Prosperity and expansion to the world."56 views
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Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon.56 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture. Very impressive.56 views
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American astronaut.56 views
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Complete with tikis.56 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.56 views
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Lucille Ball sand sculpture. Or maybe it's Judy Garland.55 views
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American sports sand sculpture.55 views
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Football player sand sculpture.55 views
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About "American Music."55 views
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About American Invention and Industrialization.55 views
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Based on the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" about slavery.55 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.55 views
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"The Wild West"55 views
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American Art55 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. 55 viewsThis USA sand sculpture exhibition ended on Jan. 3, 2018.
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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.54 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.54 views
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Kids love to climb the slopes.54 views
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It didn't depict anyone recognizable.54 views
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About "American Sports."54 views
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President Theodore Roosevelt sand sculpture in Tottori.54 views
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Thomas Edison, American inventor.54 views
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Signing the Declaration of Independence.54 views
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Signing the Declaration of Independence, sand sculpture in Tottori.54 views
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About "Declaration of Independence."54 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.54 views
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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.54 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.54 views
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About "Native Americans."54 views
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Bison54 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.54 views
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About the "The Wild West."54 views
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About "American Art"54 views
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From the top of the dune.53 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.53 views
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Sculpture outside the museum entrance.53 views
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The sculptures were created by professional sand sculptors (didn't know there was such an occupation) mostly from overseas.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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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.53 views
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Statue of Liberty Sand sculpture.53 views
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About New York Sand sculpture.53 views
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Football player sand sculpture.53 views
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Boxer sand sculpture.53 views
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The theme for this was "Prosperity and expansion to the world" with the Panama Canal as one example.53 views
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Civil War and Abe Lincoln sand sculpture.53 views
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About "Civil War and Abraham Lincoln."53 views
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Mt. Rushmore sand sculpture.53 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.53 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.53 views
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American space exploration with the old Space Shuttle.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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USA sand sculptors.53 views
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View of the sand dunes from the Sand Museum.53 views
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The main Shirakabe kura storehouses in Kurayoshi, Tottori. 赤瓦二号館53 views
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Although the sand dunes are shrinking, there's still lots of sand here.52 views
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Sand Museum entrance.52 views
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Entrance to exhibition area.52 views
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John Wayne sand sculpture.52 views
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Centerpiece sand sculpture when you enter the Sand Museum.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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Ben Franklin.52 views
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George Washington was in two sculptures.52 views
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About "Gold Rush."52 views
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Native Americans sand sculpture.52 views
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"The Wild West" sand sculpture.52 views
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Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. 52 views
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Hawaiian sand sculpture with a surfer on a wave joined by...52 views
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President Donald Trump as a sand sculpture in Tottori, Japan.52 views
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Sand Museum's gift shop also sold Hawaiian goods.52 views
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Camel rides even. Seem to be a good business, but they don't go very far.51 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.51 viewsMaybe only a 10- or 15-min. walk away. Depending on whether you climb the dunes or not.
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Sand Museum entrance.51 views
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Charlie Chaplin51 views
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About "Hollywood."51 views
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Hamburger and ice cream float.51 views
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American music, especially jazz. Looks like Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.51 views
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Abraham Lincoln sand sculpture.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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This pit in the middle features a water-related sculpture.51 views
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Gold Rush sand sculptures.51 views
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Native American sand sculpture. Very realistic.51 views
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Wildlife51 views
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Bear51 views
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Ram51 views
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Police box in front of JR Kurayoshi Station.51 views
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The sand is quite solid, not soft like beach sand on Waikiki.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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Tennis player and volleyball player sand sculptures.50 views
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Thomas Edison, American inventor sand sculpture.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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"Washington Crossing the Delaware" sand sculpture.50 views
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Andy Warhol sand sculpture complete with cans of Campbell soup.50 views
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Outside the museum were a few medium-size sculptures. This was the Hawaiian one protected by a tarp.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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The main Shirakabe kura storehouse in Kurayoshi, Tottori. 赤瓦二号館50 views
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Tottori Sand Dunes are very photogenic, and many photographers have used it for artistic shoots.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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Behind the Hollywood sculpture was the New York sculpture.49 views
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George Washington sand sculpture.49 views
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The Tottori Sand Dunes is in the city of Tottori, a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.48 views
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Bus stop to go back to Tottori Station.48 views
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The Sand Museum is a short bus ride from JR Tottori Station.48 views
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