Conan Town itinerary in Tottori: from a day trip to a week

Conan Town is the nickname of Hokuei, a small town on the coast of Tottori Prefecture and the home town of Gosho Aoyama, the artist behind Detective Conan. For fans, it is the place where statues and character signs line the streets. On a map the town is tiny and sits between Tottori city and Yonago, so a good plan is less about a quick photo stop and more about what to connect it with, such as the Tottori Sand Dunes, Sakaiminato or Mount Daisen, on days when trains are not frequent.

Who this plan suits and how many days

This plan suits Conan fans who want to see the town properly, and also travellers who like quiet rural Japan and are not in a hurry. Families with older children tend to enjoy hunting for the statues. With one day it works if you start early from Tottori or Yonago. Two or three days give you the dunes and the town without rushing, while five to seven days suit those who want to continue to Matsue, Izumo or Okayama. If you have never read Conan, shorten the time here and give more weight to the dunes and Sakaiminato.

Before you start: where to stay and which pass

Hokuei itself has few places to stay, so most people base themselves in Tottori city, which has restaurants, shopping and the prefecture's largest station, or in Yonago, the gateway to Sakaiminato, Daisen and Matsue. On a five to seven day trip you can move base once, for instance from Tottori to Yonago or to an onsen town such as Kaike or Misasa. As for passes, it depends on how you enter the region: for a Tottori-only trip, JR West regional passes covering the Sanyo and San'in areas are often compared, while the nationwide Japan Rail Pass pays off only when you add several long shinkansen rides. Pass prices and conditions should be read on the operator's website.

Day 1: Yura and Conan Street

Day one focuses on the heart of Hokuei. Start at Yura Station on the JR San'in Line, which is decorated with characters and sometimes called Conan Station. From there follow Conan Street to the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory, a museum about the author's work with a gift shop. Along the way you pass statues, manhole covers and character signs, and then you cross Conan Bridge, where more statues make it a popular photo stop. Allow roughly half a day if you arrive in the morning, then return to a larger town for the afternoon. Museum opening days and train times should be checked in advance.

Day 2: Tottori Sand Dunes and the city

Day two goes to the Tottori Sand Dunes, east of Tottori city. A bus from the front of Tottori Station takes roughly under half an hour. Arrive early to avoid the sun and heat, and climb the main ridge for a view over the Sea of Japan. A sand museum nearby shows sand sculptures, but themes and schedules change each year, so check before you go. In the evening return to Tottori city for local beef-bone broth ramen or, in winter, crab.

Day 3 and beyond, by trip length

From day three, Sakaiminato is a short ride from Yonago on the JR Sakai Line and has Mizuki Shigeru Road, lined with GeGeGe no Kitaro statues. Mount Daisen is a large mountain that suits hiking or driving. With more time, continue to Matsue to see the castle and Lake Shinji, then on to Izumo Taisha in neighbouring Shimane Prefecture.

Budget and transport costs

The cost of a Conan Town trip comes down to three things: lodging, train or bus fares, and entry fees. This guide gives no figures because prices and fees change with the season and the year. A practical way to budget is to compare lodging in Tottori and Yonago, check whether a pass matches the number of rides you will actually take, and allow for a taxi on stretches without a bus. Local trains in this area run infrequently, so do not over-pack the day. Eating lunch at local eateries is also an easier way to control spending than tourist restaurants.

See Japan eSIM plans

Staying online helps in rural areas, where you need maps, the latest train times and a translator for Japanese signs. If you prefer not to rely on hotel Wi-Fi, installing a travel eSIM before departure is a convenient option.

Adjusting for families, older travellers and rain

• Families with children: turn the statues into a find-them game along Conan Street and leave the afternoon free to rest.
• Older travellers: skip the steepest dune ridge, enjoy the wide views from lower down and take the bus rather than walking far.
• Rainy days: spend time in the Conan museum, cafes and an onsen such as Kaike or Misasa instead of the dunes.
• Windy days: blowing sand gets into eyes and gear, so carry sunglasses and a cover for your camera.