Hofu Tenmangu Mitokuji temple Izumo Taisha Omori Silver mine Xavier memorial church peace memorialpark miyajima sanctuary_outline Shukkeien Adachi garden Ikouji Rurikouji temple Amida-ji Sourin-ji Kourakuen Japanese trad.Garden_outline Matsue Yonago Shimonoseki Okayama Hiroshima HAB CITY_outline TSUYAMA TSUWANO MATSUE CHOFU IWAKUNI HAGI SAMURAI towns_outline ONOMICHI YANAI TAKEHARA KURASHIKI TOMO SHIMOKAMAGARI Xavier Cathedral SHIMONOSEKI Washi Touken Bizen Pottery Hagi Pottery & Kilns Japanese trad.artcrafts Experience-outline GEGEGENO Kitaro Matsuda museum Naval Base of Kure MAZDA,Hofu plant Modern Japan-outline Kirin beer Park in Okayama Tottori sand dune Mt.Fuji of Sanin DAISEN SHINJI Lake Iwami coast Oki Hagi coast Nagato SANIN COAST-outline SHUHODO Trail to Hikimi Hiruzen Highland Kibi Highland Tsuyama Travel with Stream locomotive Deep Inland Tour-outline SETO-OHASHI Seto-inland seas OANORAMA view Tiboli Park Tokiwa Park Inland-sea-outline List of Japanese terms Bathing in Japan 7seafood of the Lake Shinji Blow fish Stone fish Show Crab Oysters Buchwheat Noodles Peach and Other fruits Okonomiyaki
 
 
In the western part of Tottori prefecture is an area known in Japan as “the Kingdom of Daisen”. It consists of 17 municipalities, ranging from cities to villages centered around Mt. Daisen. The largest of these cities, and one that you will naturally pass through if you travel north from the mountain, is called Yonago.

Located at the base of a peninsula that is bounded on one side by an inland sea and on the other by the Sea of Japan, Yonago has been a major crossroads for centuries. From here you can take trains to all parts of Tottori, as well as Matsue and the rest of Shimane prefecture. You can also catch a quick train up the peninsula to Sakaiminato and catch a boat to the Oki Islands. Yonago has more than its share of hotsprings and hotels, Japanese inns and restaurants, so it is well equipped to cater to the needs of tourists. But there are other attractions as well.		  
     
 
Possibly the most beautiful and haunting of these is the Yonago Waterfowl Park. This natural wetland is a must for bird watchers, as approximately 40% of the aquatic birds known to live in Japan come here at some point during the year. Nature lovers from all over the area converge here during the winter, as park is the southernmost point where the whistling swan can be seen.

Yonago and its surrounding Sakaiminato city offers a wealth of museums within a small area. Near the downtown tourist guide office are the San’in History Museum, the Yonago Railroad Museum and the Yongao City Art Museum. Further up the peninsula lie more attractions. In addition to the Asia Museum, there are the Marine Life and Sea Museum.
The latter is an old sake storehouse that has been remodeled into a “waterless aquarium”. Here you can see all manner of sea-life, mounted and on display right before your eyes, including a 4.2m (13.6ft) great white shark. There are also exhibits of fishing gear, crustaceans and many other items of interest.		  
     
 
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Finally, near the sea museum and at the very top of the peninsula lies Mizuki Shigeru Road. Manga fans won’t want to miss this one, as there are more than eighty bronze statues of the supernatural creatures that populated the Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro comic lining the street. Children in particular love to have their pictures taken sitting alongside the characters, so be sure to bring your camera.

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