Tottori Prefecture

Tottori Prefecture was settled very early in the prehistoric period of Japan, as evidenced by remains from the Jōmon period (14,000 – 300 BC).[4] The prefecture has the remains of the largest known Yayoi period (300 BC – 250 AD) settlement in Japan, the Mukibanda Yayoi remains, located in the low foothills of Mount Daisen[5] in the cities of Daisen and Yonago.[6] Numerous kofun tumuli from the Kofun period (250 – 538) are located across the prefecture.[7] In 645, under the Taika reforms, the area in present-day Tottori Prefecture became two provinces, Hōki and Inaba.[8]

During the Genpei War (1180–1185) between the Taira and Minamoto clans in the late-Heian period, Tottori became a base for anti-Taira forces, specifically at two temples, Daisen-ji and Sanbutsu-ji. By the beginning of the Kamakura period (1185–1333) shōen estates were established to directly support the Imperial court and various temples. Successive clans controlled the region during the Sengoku period (15th to 17th century), most notably the Yamana clan, but after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 the region was pacified. The Tokugawa shogunate installed the Ikeda clan at Tottori Castle. The clan retained control of the area until throughout the Edo period (1603–1868) and the resources of the area financially and materially supported the shogunate.[9]

The two provinces remained in place until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, and the boundaries of Tottori Prefecture were established in 1888.[4] After the occupation of Korea and Taiwan in the 20th century, and the establishment of the Manchukuo puppet state in 1932, Tottori's harbors on the Japan Sea served as an active transit point for goods between Japan and the colonial areas. Before the end of World War II the prefecture was hit by a massive magnitude 7.2 earthquake, the 1943 Tottori earthquake, which destroyed 80% of the city of Tottori, and greatly damaged the surrounding area. In the postwar period land reform was carried out in the prefecture, resulting in a great increase of agricultural production.[9]

Four cities are located in Tottori Prefecture:

These are the towns and villages in each district:

• Tottori University
• Tottori University of Environmental Studies

• Tottori College

Sunaba Coffee House, a well known Coffeehouse in Tottori

• Tottori Sand Dunes
• Jinpūkaku, a late Meiji period residence

Panoramic view of Mount Daisen, Yonago

• Daisen, the highest of the Chūgoku Mountains, 1,729 m (5,673 ft)

• Mukibanda Yayoi remains, the largest site of Yayoi period settlement in Japan

View of Sakaiminato Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall and Charactor's Statue

• Nakaumi, a brackish lake located between Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture, fifth largest lake in Japan

• Misasa Onsen
• Sanbutsu-ji, a Heian period temple designated a National Treasure of Japan

• Kitarō Road, a street in Sakaiminato dedicated to Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitaro manga character
• Lake Koyama

• Uradome Coast, a scenic ria coastal inlet

• The Ishitani Residence, an Edo period family residence designated a National Treasure of Japan

• Tottori Hanakairo-Flower Park, the largest flower park in Japan

• JR West
  • Sanin Line
  • Hakubi Line
  • Imbi Line
  • Sakai Line
• Wakasa Railway
• Chizu Express

• 　Tottori Expressway
• 　Yonago Expressway
• 　Sanin Expressway
• 　Shidosaka Pass Road
• 　Tottori-Toyooka-Miyazu Road

• Route 9
• Route 29 (Tottori-Shiso-Himeji)
• Route 53 (Tottori-Tsuyama-Okayama)
• Route 178
• Route 179
• Route 180
• Route 181 (Yonago-Niimi-Okayama)
• Route 183
• Route 313
• Route 373
• Route 431
• Route 482

• Sakai Port - ferry route to Oki Island, and international container hub

• Tottori Airport
• Yonago Airport