Umanose (Tottori Sand Dunes)

A sand ridge about 47 metres high in the middle of the Tottori Sand Dunes. Climb the sinking sand slope and the Sea of Japan fills the view.

Umanose, the symbol of the Tottori Sand Dunes

Umanose ("the horse's back") is a line of large sand ridges in the middle of the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture. It is about 47 metres high. Umanose is a nickname; it is also called the Second Dune Ridge. It is the best-loved view of the Tottori Sand Dunes.

From the dunes entrance to Umanose is a walk of about 400 metres across the sand. As you get closer, it looks like a wall of sand rising in front of you.

The view from the top and patterns in the sand

Your feet sink into the soft sand, so the climb is harder than you expect. The reward at the top is a view where sea, sky and sand seem to merge into one. It looks different with the season and the time of day.

On the surface you will see fumon, rippling patterns drawn by the wind. It is said that the same pattern never appears twice; their shape changes with the strength and direction of the wind.

On the landward side of Umanose, groundwater seeps up, and in winter, when there is plenty of rain and snow, a large pool known as the "Oasis" forms. In summer it can dry up completely. On still days it reflects the surroundings like a mirror.

Getting there

Take a bus from the JR Tottori Station bus terminal (about 20 minutes) and get off at "Tottori Sakyu (Sakyu Kaikan)". From there, go through the dunes entrance and walk across the sand to Umanose.

Tottori City's tourism website suggests routes ranging from a one-hour visit to the dunes to courses of several hours that take in the plants and places linked with literature.

Tips

• There is no shade on the dunes. Tottori Prefecture warns that the sand gets very hot in summer and can burn you if you are barefoot or in sandals. Bring a hat or parasol and something to drink, and avoid strenuous exercise such as running up Umanose.
• Under a prefectural ordinance, large graffiti on the dunes (over 10 square metres) and littering are banned, with fines of up to 50,000 yen. Flying drones or model aircraft near people is also restricted.
• Swimming off the dunes beach is banned by ordinance because of dangers such as rip currents.

Sources

• 鳥取砂丘 馬の背 | 鳥取市観光サイト【公式】とっとり旅の生情報 (opens in a new tab)
• 鳥取砂丘 オアシス（尻無川）| 鳥取市観光サイト【公式】 (opens in a new tab)
• 鳥取砂丘の歩き方「砂地をススメ」| 鳥取市観光サイト【公式】 (opens in a new tab)
• 夏の鳥取砂丘に関するご注意 | とりネット 鳥取県公式サイト (opens in a new tab)
• 日本一の鳥取砂丘を守り育てる条例 | とりネット 鳥取県公式サイト (opens in a new tab)
• 鳥取砂丘 - Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

Updated 30 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.