Category:Tottori Prefecture

Tottori Prefecture is located in the Chūgoku region of western Honshū, facing the Sea of Japan. The prefecture is known for its long coastline, sand dunes, and mountainous interior, with landscapes shaped by wind, water, and forest. Tottori has historically been one of Japan’s least densely populated prefectures, contributing to its strong preservation of local traditions and close connection to natural materials.

The capital, Tottori City, lies near the famous Tottori Sand Dunes, while the castle town of Yonago and surrounding rural communities maintain deep-rooted cultural practices. The region’s history is strongly linked with agriculture, fishing, forestry, and small-scale workshop-based production.

Culturally, Tottori is known for wood and bamboo crafts, pottery, and folk traditions shaped by rural life and natural surroundings. Crafts from this region often emphasize warmth, simplicity, and tactile beauty, reflecting the quiet rhythm of life at the intersection of sea and mountains.

Signature Crafts of Tottori Prefecture

• Inshu washi (因州和紙) – traditional handmade paper with fine texture and durability, used for calligraphy and craftwork.
• Tottori folk woodworking – bowls, trays, and utensils shaped from local woods with smooth, natural finishes.
• Bamboo craft – everyday baskets and domestic tools made with refined joinery and clean structural lines.
• Regional ceramics – small-kiln pottery traditions suited to daily use and rural household life.