Secret San'in
72 Hours Route
2 nights, 3 days
Mountain Temples, Outdoor Activities, Hot Springs and History
This 3-day sample route will let you explore hidden temples on mysterious mountains, enjoy nature activities and relax at beautiful hot spring towns. Stretching from Tottori to Shimane Prefecture, this itinerary is perfect for the adventurer/traveler who is also interested in local history and culture and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Itinerary
Day 1
- 07:55 AM
- Arrival at Tottori Airport
- 10:30 AM
- Sanbutsu-ji Temple
- 01:00 PM
- Lunch by Sanbutsu-ji Temple
- 03:00 PM
- Kurayoshi
- Visit the charming White Wall Warehouses district.
- 05:30 PM
- Misasa Onsen
- Spend the night and relax in a picturesque hot springs town.
Day 2
- 10:30 AM
- Daisenji
- Visit an ancient temple with more than 1,000 years of history.
- 11:30 AM
- Zazen Experience
- 12:30 PM
- Lunch at Mori no Kuni
- Try the juicy meat from chicken raised at the foot of Mount Daisen
- 01:30 PM
- Mori no Kuni
- 07:30 PM
- Kaike Onsen
- Enjoy hot springs on the seaside with a beautiful view of the ocean.
Day 3
- 08:30 AM
- Yasugi
- 12:30 PM
- Lunch in Matsue
- 02:30 PM
- Matsue matcha and sweets
- Stop at one of the many cafés to enjoy matcha tea with sweets
- 05:00 PM
- Departure from Yonago Airport
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1Sanbutsu-ji Temple
Take a pilgrimage to the Nageiredo Hall, an architectural treasure perched on a rocky wall, through a very difficult but rewarding climbing route.
Tottori Airport
Yonago Airport
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2Kurayoshi
Immerse yourself in old Japan in Kurayoshi, a historic town once home of the provincial government of the Houki region. Stroll along the picturesque white-walled storehouses along the Tamagawa River. Near the storehouses, many traditional houses from the Edo Period have been restored and turned into beautiful shops and cafes. There are very few tourists here and walking the streets is a relaxing experience. Small museums and temples are also scattered around the town.
Tottori Airport
Yonago Airport
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3Misasa Onsen
More than 850 years old, Misasa Onsen will put your body and mind at ease with the natural hot spring waters. Rich in radon, the waters are said to boost your immunity and have natural healing powers. You can even drink the spring water from its source!
Tottori Airport
Yonago Airport
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4Zazen Experience
Try the ancient practice of Zen meditation under the guidance of a monk from Daisenji Temple. Climb the time-worn stone staircase to Daisenji's Amidado Hall, a beautiful wooden hall immersed in a forest of beech trees. Here, sitting on the floor in the semi-darkness, you will listen to the history of the temple and the once-sacred mountain where it stands. Meditating to the sounds of the forest is a soul-refreshing experience.
Yonago Airport
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5Mori no Kuni
Mori no Kuni is a nature experience park located at the foot of Mount Daisen. Inside the park, you can play with giant swings, a massive green slide and a variety of field athletics courses, all while gazing up at Mount Daisen. There is also a barbecue corner, camping facility and a variety of activities to try. Some of the most popular are downhill cycling, hiking in the beech forest and shower climbing.
Yonago Airport
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6Wakou Museum
At this museum in Yasugi city you will learn everything about the ancient Japanese steelmaking technique called Tatara. Tatara is the traditional iron smelting furnace that was used to make steel for Japanese swords. Katana swordsmiths in Japan still use steel made with this technique to this day. Here you can walk through interesting displays with English explanations, learn the making process of Japanese swords and even hold a real katana.
Yonago Airport
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7Adachi Museum of Art
Gaze at the masterpieces of modern Japanese paintings at the Adachi Museum of Art. Take a stroll through the meticulously kept garden and sit back with tea and sweets from one of the various cafés. With free, direct shuttle buses, it's easy to access, and is one stop you can't miss.
Yonago Airport
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8Matsue Castle
Visit one of the few remaining original castle towers in Japan. The castle grounds are like a big park where you can walk leisurely under the shade of the trees and the castle walls. Hidden within the grounds are shrines and tea houses. Enjoy the view from the tower and then get on a river boat cruise around the castle moat. Also make sure to visit the samurai residences around the castle.
Yonago Airport
Route Guide;
It takes about two hours by bus from Tottori Airport to Sanbutsu-ji Temple, changing in Kurayoshi. Be sure to be at the temple by 2:30 pm or you might not get to climb the mountain. Kurayoshi is connected by direct bus to Sanbutsu-ji (approx. 50 minutes) and Misasa Onsen (approx. 30 minutes). It takes about 3 hours between buses and train from Misasa Onsen to Daisenji, so be sure to leave reasonably early in the morning. Kaike Onsen is about a 1-hour bus ride from Mori no Kuni and a 1-hour bus and train ride from Yasugi. From Yasugi to Matsue Station it's an easy 25-minute ride on the JR San-In Line train. From Matsue you can take the Yonago Airport Limousine Bus (46 minutes) directly to Yonago Airport.
We are always waiting for you!