When visiting Tottori, the Tottori Sand Dunes are a must. Located within the San'in Kaigan Geopark, the dunes stretch 2.4 kilometers from north to south and 16 kilometers from east to west, making them Japan's largest coastal sand dunes.
The beautiful wind patterns formed by the Sea of Japan winds and the dune sand are mesmerizing.
Like a staircase leading to the sky! Takahama Cafe, designed by Kengo Kuma at the Tottori Sand Dunes
Takahama Cafe was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Tottori Sand Dunes Kaikan. The building is angled at 17 degrees and resembles a wooden staircase leading to the sky. It also embodies master architect Kengo Kuma's three concepts of “negative architecture,” “stacking,” and “blending with the environment.” Locally sourced cedar was used and combined with earthquake- and fire-resistant cross-laminated timber (CLT) and reinforced concrete construction.
And from the small hill known as “Horse's Back,” you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Sea of Japan.
Tottori Sand Dunes | Review by Norton Liang
Other Reviews by Norton Liang
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Rurikoin
This temple, located in Yase Ohara, has been loved by aristocrats and warriors since the Heian period. It is usually closed to the public, but is only open twice a year for special viewings in spring and autumn.
A popular spot during fall foliage season 🍁, although we didn’t make it for the fall colors 🍁
In early autumn, we took the Eizan train up the mountain. The scenery and air along the way were so refreshing. Although the crowds made it hard to fully appreciate the beautiful changes in light at the mirrored glass table area 😊, the photo opportunities and the Japanese garden aesthetics with lush green moss along the way made us forget all our worries! Worth a visit. -
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Kyoto Station Building
Kyoto station is attached to an enormous building which provides shops and restaurants, as well as a hotel and cultural center. The Cube Shopping Mall occupies the ground floor and two basement floors. In its spacious confines are shops offering a wide variety of unique souvenirs and specialty desserts from Kyoto, trendy fashion items, and interesting knickknacks.
Kyoto Station Building is great for shopping and photos 🏢
The modern steel architecture doesn't clash at all with this ancient capital!
Taking a photo with Kyoto Tower is also a ritual for travelers.
Saying hello and goodbye to Kyoto 👋 -
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Kinkaku-ji
During the Muromachi Period, the 3rd Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimitsu, made an abode in this temple called Kitayamadono. It was named as Rokuon-ji after the posthumous name of Yoshimitsu. He had also built Shokoku-ji Temple, and Rokuon-ji, his retirement home, was turned into a branch temple of Shokoku-ji.
Because the protagonist of Yukio Mishima's novel sees Kinkaku-ji as a symbol of eternal beauty, yet his own imperfect life makes him feel a mix of love, hatred, jealousy, and confinement toward this perfection, he ultimately decides to set Kinkaku-ji on fire to free his soul.
So I came to see it for myself:At the center of the strolling garden surrounded by Kyokochi Pond, on a clear, windless day, you can capture the stunning reflection of the Golden Pavilion mirrored on the water.
Nearby is the Rikushu-no-Matsu pine: (a 600-year-old Japanese white pine said to have been planted by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu himself and pruned into the shape of a sailboat.)
It further enhances the dazzling Japanese garden aesthetic and is worth seeing. -
