2026 Chizu Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

I arrived at Chizu Station, just a short distance away from Tottori Station...! But then I realized I had a whole hour to kill before my transfer between the Chizu Express and JR lines 🥹 So, I decided to make the most of it and take a stroll around the station 🚶‍♀️ First, I dropped my bags off at "Kurashiya," the tourist information center right in front of the station. The best part is that they hold your luggage for free 🥰 They also sell local specialties and have a coworking space set up there 💻 Chizu is historically significant as the junction of two major routes: the "Chizu Orai (Inaba Kaido)," which connected Inaba Province to the Kinai region and was used by feudal lords for their alternate attendance journeys during the Edo period, and the "Sakushu Orai (Bizen Kaido)," which led to Tsuyama (Okayama) 🗺 It thrived as a hub for gathering and relaying goods and served as the first lodging stop for the Tottori domain, making it the largest post town in the Inaba region. The town was equipped with official inns (honjin), a magistrate's office, and official noticeboards ✍️ Even today, you can find massive, historic buildings lining the old highway! Some are even designated cultural properties, like the impressive Ishitani Residence—a merchant family with a 300-year history—and the "Shioya Detached Store," built by a branch of the same family 🏠 Given the area's booming forestry industry, especially for prized "Chizu Cedar," one of the town's unique quirks is seeing "sugidama" (cedar balls)—typically found at sake breweries and shops—hanging from the eaves of everyday homes 🌳 You also can't miss the charming Western-style architecture from the Taisho and Showa eras, like the Chizu Fire Department Honmachi Branch Station, the Nakamachi Community Center, and the Katsumi Nishikawa Memorial Film Museum. Their white clapboard exteriors are so stylish~ 🤍 Lately, Chizu-shuku has seen a wave of new shops opening in beautifully renovated traditional townhouses (machiya). For lunch, I checked out "Tanoshi," a stunningly restored 135-year-old folk house! It's actually Chizu Town's very first guesthouse, combining a diner and a community space. The diner serves up incredible meals made with local, seasonal veggies, rice, and fresh gibier (wild game) 🍚 I went with the "Chizu Forest Curry." It was packed with melt-in-your-mouth, slow-cooked Chizu venison and had a nice, gingery kick to it. Absolutely delicious 🦌✨️ The walk from Chizu Orai back to the station is lined with retro signs and buildings that totally give off nostalgic Showa-era vibes. It's the kind of streetscape where you could snap some incredibly aesthetic photos with a film camera 📸 Surrounded by cedar-covered mountains with the Sendai River flowing through the valley, this historic forestry post town really reminded me of the atmosphere in Yoshino Kamiichi. Next time, I definitely want to take my time and explore the insides of these buildings... 🐌 ⁡.⁡ ⁡. Chizu Town

Japanese food website "Tabelog" has released its latest rankings! The top 20 restaurants out of 4,095 in Tottori have been compiled. If you're looking for authentic local Tottori cuisine, this list is the place to go! Some restaurants require advance reservations. 📍Tottori City (walking distance from Tottori Station) 🥇 1st Place Rating 4.22⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kanikichi (Crab Cuisine) Tottori's top-grade snow crab restaurant 💰¥20,000~¥29,999 yen 🥈 2nd Place Rating 4.11⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mitsuki (Japanese Cuisine) A representative of high-class kaiseki cuisine, seasonal set menus 💰¥15,000~¥19,999 🥉 3rd Place Rating 3.75⭐⭐⭐ Ami-Ryaku Anbe (Japanese Cuisine) A famous winter snow crab restaurant, signature dish "Kani Don Kiku" 💰¥10,000~¥14,999 🏅 4th Place Rating 3.70 ⭐⭐⭐ Matsuya Hormon (Grilled Beef Offal) A must-visit restaurant in "The Solitary Gourmet" 💰 ¥1,000~¥1,999 🏅 5th Place Rating 3.68 ⭐⭐⭐ Oen (Teppanyaki) A representative restaurant of Tottori's famous "Grilled Beef Offal Noodles" 💰 ¥2,000~¥2,999 🏅 6th Place Rating 3.68 ⭐⭐⭐ Falo Trotteria (Italian Cuisine) A highly rated Italian restaurant in Tottori 💰 ¥6,000~¥7,999 🏅 7th Place Rating 3.66 ⭐⭐⭐ Sasasushi (Sushi) A long-established sushi restaurant famous for its fresh Japanese seafood 💰 ¥10,000~¥14,999 🏅 8th Place, Rating 3.64⭐⭐⭐ Shun-gyo Tatsumi (Seafood Izakaya) Popular seafood izakaya near Tottori Station💰 ¥3,000~¥3,999 🏅 16th Place, Rating 3.60⭐⭐⭐ Takumi Kappo (Local Cuisine) Signature dish "Susugi Nabe Shabu-shabu"💰 Lunch ¥1,000~¥1,999 / Dinner ¥5,000~¥5,999 🏅 18th Place, Rating 3.59⭐⭐⭐ Taiki (Seafood Donburi) Super popular restaurant near Tottori Sand Dunes, luxurious seafood donburi💰 ¥1,000~¥1,999 📍Chitou Town 🏅 Ranked 12th, Rating 3.63⭐⭐⭐ Mitakien (山菜料理) - A hidden gem restaurant offering the most representative mountain cuisine experience in Tottori. 💰 ¥6,000~¥7,999 📍Near Tottori City (Koyama) 🏅 Ranked 13th, Rating 3.62⭐⭐⭐ Watanabe Ryokan (料理齊) - A ryokan famous for its snow crab dishes. 💰 ¥10,000~¥14,999 ✨ Regional Distribution Statistics 📍Tottori City: 10 (most among the top 20) 📍Tottori City Suburbs (Koyama): 1 📍Chizu Town: 1 📍Yonago City: 4 📍Sakaiminato City: 1 📍Oyama Area: 1 📍Yunashihama Town: 1 📍Misasa Onsen: 1 ✨ Tottori Cuisine 🥩 Tottori Specialty - Beef Offal Dishes: Matsuya Holmon (Picture 2), Oen 🦀 Snow Crab: Kanikichi, Ami-Ryaku Anbe (Picture 4), Misa 🐟 Seafood Donburi: Yamafutei, Taiki 🍜 Beef Bone Ramen: Sumire 🍣 Sushi: 笹すし, Hui転すしHokkaido 🌿 Local cuisine: Mikoen Garden (Picture 3), Miko Kappo Shop (Picture 1) 🏨 Gourmet hotels: Watabe Ryokan, Shiontei, Ryokan Ohashi 🍶Seafood Izakaya: Shunyu Tottori, Sakuramaru 🍱Japanese cuisine and banquet cuisine: Miyako store, Misaki restaurant 🍝 Italian cuisine: ファロ トラットリア 🥢 Soba noodles: Mitateta ちそば やま本

I used the Seishun 18 Kippu (rail pass) to travel to San'in and Shikoku during the Obon holiday. 🚃 On my way to Tottori Station, I stopped at Koiyamagata Station, a station I'd seen on TV. There was a 15-minute wait, so I got off. 🚶♀️ By the way, Koiyamagata Station is on the Chizu Express line, so the Seishun 18 Kippu doesn't apply. Please note that a separate fare applies.⚠️ This time, I took the 10:27 AM train from Kamigori Station (Hyogo Prefecture) bound for Chizu.🚃 Opened in 1994, this station was originally planned to be called "Inaba-Yamagata" Station, but at the request of local residents, it was renamed "Koi-Yamagata" Station, a play on the Japanese phrase "Come to Yamagata."🚉 In 2013, as part of the "Koi Station Project," which included four stations with "koi" (love) in their names (Koi-Yamagata, Habakoi, Koishihama, and Koigakubo), the ground facilities were painted pink.🩷 The station was repainted two years ago to mark the 10th anniversary of its renovation, and it's even pinker than I expected. Not only the roof, pillars, and walls, but even the benches, trash cans, mirrors, and fences are all pink.😳 On platform 1, there's a heart-shaped monument and a "Love Comes True Bell." The character for "love" on the monument has a dot at the top that can hold a heart-shaped votive plaque! It's so photogenic! ♪ You can purchase votive plaques from the vending machine in the waiting room on your left as you exit the station. These handmade votive plaques, made from Chizu cedar, a precious wood from Chizu Town that has been around since the Edo period, feature a cute Cupid branding. 🫰 I don't have a photo, but the vending machine also had station name straps. By the way, they're also available for purchase at the Chizu Express's official online shop, so if you're interested, check it out! ✨ As you exit the station, a pink road called "Koi Road" stretches out beneath your feet, and there's also a large heart on the opposite slope. There's also a large station name sign and heart on the exterior wall of Platform 1! 💖 There's a selfie stand in front of the exterior wall, so you can take commemorative photos by yourself. 📸 Also, if you drop off mail in the "Koi Post" in front of the entrance, it will arrive with a heart-shaped stamp. ✉️💕 As a station associated with love, there were many couples there that day. There were a lot of foreign visitors. 😶 There were so many photo spots that the 15-minute wait flew by. 😌 Koi-Yamagata Station is unmanned and doesn't even have a restroom. Parking is limited, so please take your time and enjoy the local train ride. 🚃 It's also a station where express trains pass through, so please be careful when taking photos. 🥹 【 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 】 📍 159-3 Ouchi, Chizu-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori Prefecture 🚃 Approximately 70-90 minutes from Kamigori Station on the Chizu Express Line 🚗 Approximately 5 minutes from Chizu-Minami IC on the Tottori Expressway 🅿️ Available (Train service recommended due to limited parking) ⁡. ⁡ ⁡. #Tottori Prefecture #Chizu Town, Tottori Prefecture #Chizu Town #Chizu Express #Koi-Yamagata Station #Station Where Love Comes True #Unexplored Station #Tottori Real Pavilion #Tottori Tourism #Tottori Trip #Tottori Outing

I took a short trip to Tottori recently to get away from the usual crowded spots. Kyoto and Shirakawa-go are way too packed these days, so I decided to head into the mountains of Chizu to find Itaihara Village. It's a preserved mountain settlement about 400 meters up, and it was exactly what I wanted—quiet, authentic, and practically empty of tourists. The village has centuries-old thatched-roof houses and stone paths. It’s not some polished tourist attraction; it’s a real, quiet village where local elderly folks actually live. They’ll give you a polite nod and just go about their day. A few practical things if you plan to visit: 1. Food & Facilities: There are no shops, cafes, or restaurants here. Bring your own water and snacks. It’s a place to walk and clear your head, not to shop. 1 to 2 hours is more than enough time. 2. Ishitani Family Residence: Just a 10-minute drive away. It's a massive, historic estate. Usually, the interior is closed to the public (except sometimes in autumn), but seeing the architecture from the outside is still quite worth it. 3. Transport: Driving is best. If you don't drive, take the JR train to Chizu Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride (around 1,000 yen). Definitely arrange a return taxi with the driver beforehand, as you won't find any empty cabs waiting around the village. Overall, if you need a flashy itinerary, skip this. But if you appreciate slow, quiet places and want to see Japan's old countryside without the noise, Itaihara is highly recommended. Quite worth the detour.

#HotPlacesInJapan 🎀 Koiyamagata Station – A station name with “koi” (love) in it! 📍 Location: Ouchi, Chizu-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori 💖 A truly photogenic spot, featuring a bright pink station building! It is also famous as a power spot for love fulfillment, and has heart-shaped votive plaques and benches. It is the perfect place to visit with your partner or friends and take cute photos! 🕵️ Aoyama Gosho Hometown Museum – Immerse yourself in the world of Detective Conan! 📍 Location: 1414 Yurashuku, Hokuei-cho, Tohaku-gun, Tottori 🚗 Access: About 20 minutes on foot from JR Sanin Main Line “Yura Station” A must-see for Conan fans! A museum in the hometown of Aoyama Gosho, the creator of “Detective Conan”. Inside, original drawings and trick mechanisms are on display, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Conan. The bronze statue of Conan at the entrance is a very popular photo spot! 🏜️ Tottori Sand Dunes – A spectacular view you won't believe you're in Japan! 📍 Location: 2164-661 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture 🚗 Access: About 20 minutes by bus from Tottori Station Japan's largest sand dunes, with a magnificent sandy landscape that looks like a foreign country. The sand dunes at dusk in particular have a dramatic atmosphere and are perfect for photos! For those who want to enjoy active activities, we also recommend a camel ride experience. 🎨 Sand Museum – Be amazed by the artworks made from sand! 📍 Location: 2083-17 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture 🚗 Access: A short walk from Tottori Sand Dunes A unique museum that exhibits intricate art works made from sand by artists from all over the world. The theme changes regularly, so you can experience fresh impressions no matter how many times you visit. The delicate and powerful works are so beautiful that they look like CG when photographed!

Tottori is a romantic place, inside is a holy place that will be visited by lovers... This Kotoyama Station, in addition to being a place of pilgrimage, can also be used to draw horses and make wishes... Lovers should not miss it. Koiyamagata Station 159-3 Ochi, Chizu, Yazu District, Totori 689-1421 Japan

I went to a shop called "Tarmary" in Tottori Prefecture! 📍594 Chizu, Chizu-cho, Yazu-gun, Tottori Prefecture This is a shop where you can enjoy wild yeast bread and craft beer! There are many different types of yeast bread for sale, which was interesting! In the shop, I was able to enjoy a comparison of homemade beers and homemade snacks! The staff were all kind, and the atmosphere of the shop was relaxed and lovely, with people of all ages stopping by. I bought bread and ate it the next day, and it was surprisingly delicious, and I wished I had bought more. It's one of the shops I definitely want to go to again in Tottori! #FritabiWinter

Located in Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture, [Kotori no Cafe Quince] is a quiet cafe deep in the mountains. Parking is available along the road! It's a popular restaurant, so there are a lot of people lined up on weekends. Reservations are not possible. You write your name on the waiting list and wait, but you can look around while you wait. You can choose between inside and outside seats, and we chose the outside seats with a view of the waterfall! The menu board was also made of wood and was cute. If it's a little chilly outside, blankets are provided so you don't have to worry! Enjoying purple sweet potato tart and coffee while looking at the waterfall was very relaxing! It was a wonderful space, so please go and check it out! Business hours: 11:00-16:00 Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 📍707 Ashizu, Chizu-cho, Yazu District, Tottori Prefecture #DomesticTravelRecord #TottoriTourism #TottoriTrip