Tottori Castle Ruins

Tottori Castle Ruins, located within Kyusho Park, are the remains of Tottori Castle (Tottori Domain, 320,000 koku), famous for Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s siege by starvation. Today, traces such as the former sites of the main keep and second bailey remain. In spring, about 240 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees bloom around the moat, and the site is selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. Also known as Mt. Kyusho, the area is recognized as a “geo-spot” within the San’in Kaigan Geopark (a UNESCO Global Geopark). The landform shaped by nature is considered rare globally; its defensibility was key to prosperity in the Sengoku period, and Oda Nobunaga reportedly praised it as a “fine castle.” In the moat, you can sometimes see swans gliding gracefully, and it’s also a relaxing place for local residents. Access: from JR San’in Main Line “Tottori Station,” take the 100-yen loop bus “Kururi” (Green Course) for about 7 minutes and get off at “Jinpukaku / Prefectural Museum” (right there). On weekends/holidays only, you can also use the “Loop Kirin Shishi Bus,” get off at “Tottori Castle Ruins,” then walk about 5 minutes.