Tottori is a welcome breath of fresh air against the soaring high-rises and plethora of neon lights from the main cities of Japan. Located some 500 kilometers from the capital city of Tokyo, Tottori occupies only 1,354 square miles and is the least-populous Japanese prefecture.

This coastline neighborhood derives its name from two characters: "bird" and "to get," which alludes to the livelihood of catching waterfowls in ancient times.

Today, this beguiling hamlet offers secret surprises and uncanny passages, all worthy of solo day trips. Here are some of our favorites:

Mitaki-En: Commune with nature

A forest complex, Mitaki-En is a beauty of nature — everything seems

organically-grown. The sinuous main river breaks down and snakes into several flowing tributaries. Meanwhile, the paths on frequently-stepped-on dried leaves and flat stones create shortcuts to hidden, unfinished shrines for the adventurous. Occasionally, you can spot wooden houses and tree stumps that blend with the scenery, where one may relish their specialties: Freshly-caught fish, wild greens, or meaty mushrooms. All these while hearing the faint rustle of leaves, the whisper of a gentle breeze, the babbling of the brook, and the uplifting song of birds.