Yonago, a city in western Tottori Prefecture, invites visitors to enjoy various outdoor activities. Nestled between Mount Daisen, Lake Nakaumi and the Sea of Japan, travelers in Yonago can go mountain climbing one day and relax on the beach the next.
The city’s two most famous beaches are known for their views, natural hot springs and summer triathlon. Additionally, Yonago’s connections to an airport and a major train station make these seaside getaways easily accessible destinations for long vacations or weekend trips.
When you want to beat the heat in rural Japan, here are two places to check out in Yonago.
Kaike Onsen Beach
Photo by: PIXTA/ colors A beautiful beach right beside an onsen town.
This is one of the few places in Japan where hot springs and the ocean are within walking distance. Resorts and day spas in the Kaike Onsen area offer baths from a saltwater hot spring, while the adjacent seashore invites visitors to take a cooling swim on a white sand beach lined with pine trees.
Sports fans may especially find Kaike Onsen Beach attractive because this is the site of Japan’s first triathlon. In 1981, the Kaike Triathlon was held to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the hot spring resort area and promote the image of “health and beauty.” Only 53 athletes participated in the inaugural triathlon, but the event has since grown to accommodate hundreds of participants. The modern Kaike Triathlon is held every summer (typically in July) and has welcomed athletes and spectators from both Japan and abroad.
Yumigahama Coast
Photo by: PIXTA/ Ryozo A popular spot for watching the sunrise.
Stretching along the peninsula from Kaike Onsen Beach to Sakaiminato, Yumigahama is one of western Tottori’s most picturesque beaches. Travelers often visit this coastline to get a photo of Mount Daisen against the foreground of the ocean. On certain days during the fall and winter, people will visit the coast early in the morning to see the sun rise from behind the mountain.
One of the most popular activities on the Yumigahama Coast is cycling. One route, Hakushaseisho (White Sand Green Pines), is a flat paved trail that takes cyclists through almost 16 kilometers of shorelines and forests. Viewpoints along the trail let visitors absorb the full beauty of the coast. Meanwhile, the endpoint of Hakushaseisho is marked with sightseeing destinations such as Sawai Coffee—a locally-grown cafe and coffee factory—and Yumeminato Tower, which offers panoramic views of the sea, the mountains and Yonago Airport.
