Tottori: Beguiling hamlet in Japan

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.

Mount Daisen: Spiritual connect

This volcanic spire, second only in elevation to Mount Fuji, is distinguished by its ever-changing colors of vegetation that reflect the seasons: white for spring; green for summer; orange for autumn; while the peaks rest during winter. On top of the spiritual site is the revered Daisen Temple, a testament to more than a millennium of history. Devotees and tourists turn to pilgrims, all while being surrounded by majestic nature.

Kurayoshi: Explore alleys

This castle-filled vicinity is a love letter to its imperial past. Sleepy and secluded, it is characterized by towering white walls with protruding blood-red roofs, with homes and other structures freely available to be explored by visitors. Extremely narrow waterways and conduits have caused the rise of tiny wooden planks as bridges, which crisscross from one side of a building to another alley to another building to another alley.

Sand Museum: Refresh the memory

Tottori is known globally for its mini-desert, unheard of for a town so close to the coast. These sand dunes draw over two million tourists annually. Head to the Sand Museum, which hosts a display of masterfully-crafted gigantic themed sand sculptures, which periodically changes based on the choice concept — scenes from whimsical fantasy tales to real historical events.

Misasa Town: Invigorate the body

What better way to end the exploration than with a bath at one of Misasa's mineral-rich hot springs, which literally fills the town to the brim? Lose your inhibitions and try out the healthy onsen popular with the locals, who will assist you with the rituals of their traditional way of life. You'll be glad you did.