Tottori Becomes First Asian Collaborator in UK-Based Sand Dune & Shingle Network
Tottori, northwest of Osaka, is boosting efforts to preserve and promote its sand dunes—one of the largest in Japan—as a natural attraction amid the growing popularity of Japan as a tourism destination.
The city and prefecture celebrated World Sand Dune Day, an international event designed to raise awareness of the ecological significance and cultural value of sand dunes, with a series of volunteer-powered conservation sessions to remove invasive vegetation at its dunes. Furthermore, Tottori has become the first Asian collaborator of the Sand Dune and Shingle Network, the UK-based nonprofit organising World Sand Dune Day.
Efforts are also being stepped up to promote international cooperation with other nations home to dune landscapes. Tottori Prefecture has signed “sand alliances” with Jordan and Saudi Arabia, to leverage their shared natural resource—sand—for cultural exchange and tourism promotion.
Fostering sustainable tourism
Tottori has launched a series of weeding events as part of a long-term plan to rid its sand dunes of invasive plants. The Tottori Sand Dunes Mirai Council estimates that 20–30% of the dunes have been overrun by non-native vegetation in the past 20 years. The encroachment disrupts natural sand flow patterns, leading to the formation of mounds that cause erosion and native biodiversity loss while hindering the expansion of activities. Longer term, these mounds could destabilize the dune system, threatening its survival.
Conservation activities kicked off on May 30, when approximately 100 volunteers from the local area gathered on a warm evening to uproot weeds and watch the sunset over the dunes. Jinpei Yanagisawa, 43, said: “It’s fun to volunteer together. As the dunes are an important natural resource, we want to return them to their original state.” Shogo Sakaguchi, 16, said: “I love coming here and we need to protect the dunes for the future. If I can help clean up the dunes, more tourists will be able to enjoy them.”
The weeds that are pulled are being collected and used sustainably. Some are being turned into compost as part of a new initiative that began as an idea from a local high school student, and some are being used to make washi paper that is sold at the Sand Dunes Visitor Center. Tottori also invited domestic and international visitors to take part in 90-minute weeding sessions—held on several weekends this summer in the early morning and early evening—providing opportunities for eco-tourism in action. The sessions proved so successful that more are being planned.
A spokesperson for the Tottori Sand Dunes Mirai Council Secretariat said: “We have much to do to reverse the damage caused by these invasive plants but together we can make the dunes healthy again and thrive for generations to come.”
Global collaboration
Alongside conservation initiatives, Tottori is implementing “sand diplomacy” to raise international awareness of its dunes as a natural, cultural, and economic resource.
The prefecture signed a “sand alliance” with the Jordan Pavilion at Expo 2025, prompted by the synergy of their exhibits. Approximately 10 tons of sand were transported from Tottori to the Osaka site to recreate the dune environment at the Tottori Prefecture Zone, and Jordan’s Pavilion features 22 tons of sand from Wadi Rum, a natural and cultural World Heritage Site.
Marking the association, Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai expressed his hope that Tottori and Jordan could “promote the wonders of sand dunes to people in Japan and overseas and build a lasting exchange.” Jordan’s Acting Commissioner-General Shifa Zghoul Haddad said Jordan and Tottori have the potential to “create some wonderful collaborations” through sand.
The prefecture also entered a “sand alliance” with the Saudi Arabia Pavilion. Both sides have pledged to promote their respective sand-related exhibits at Expo 2025 and strengthen bilateral cultural exchange through the “meaningful” partnership. Tottori has also become the first destination in Asia to cooperate with the Sand Dune and Shingle Network, which promotes the sustainable use of coastal environments around the world through research, consultancy, and events, including in the UK, Netherlands, France and Belgium.
Dr Thomas Smyth of the Sand Dune and Shingle Network, said: “Not many people know Japan for sand dunes, so we’re thrilled to engage with the Tottori Sand Dunes to promote greater knowledge sharing of sand dunes globally.”
Sand as a tourism resource
The Tottori Sand Dunes are the most popular sightseeing spot in Tottori, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors annually. Drawing on the area’s connection to sand, the nearby Tottori Sand Museum is the world’s first permanent indoor exhibition space dedicated to sand art. Since opening in 2006, it has held different exhibitions, this year featuring sand sculptures created by 20 world-class artists from 12 countries on the theme of Japan.
Hirokazu Hirai, Chief of the Tourism & Geopark Promotion Section at Tottori City Government, said: “The Tottori Sand Dunes are designated a national park in Japan. We hope that our growing efforts to protect and preserve the dunes will raise awareness of their importance and inspire more visitors to come and see them. Together with the sand museum, we have a unique sand tourism offering.”
Allan Takahashi, Representative Director of Anoma Hospitality Group Co., Ltd, which is scheduled to open a Marriott Luxury Collection hotel near the Tottori Sand Dunes in 2029, said: “The Tottori Sand Dunes are one of many attractions that Tottori has to offer and Tottori’s increasing efforts to showcase them to a global audience are sure to increase the area’s popularity as a tourist destination.”
Learn more
Tottori is the capital of Tottori Prefecture, located in the Chugoku region, along the Sea of Japan coast. It’s approximately three hours by train from Osaka and 1.5 hours by plane from Tokyo.
Tottori Sand Dunes
The Tottori Sand Dunes are 16 km (9 miles) long and 2.4 km (1.5 miles) wide. They are part of the San’in Kaigan Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark spanning Kyoto, Hyogo, and Tottori Prefectures, and designated a National Natural Monument.
Tottori Sand Dunes Visitor Center website: https://www.sakyu-vc.com/en/
The Sand Museum
Japan, the 16th exhibition on the concept of “Travel Around the World in Sand,” will be on display until January 4, 2026. More details: https://www.sand-museum.jp/en/
*Tottori’s activities are supported by BCCJ members Sterling Content and Calderwood Images under their joint initiative, Promote Japan.