Should you polled 10 foreigners and requested them every to put Yonago on a map, I’d be shocked if even a single one might do it. I don’t suspect the numbers can be a lot better for Japanese.
And but whereas this second metropolis in one among Japan’s tertiary areas (San’in) is straightforward to overlook, it’s unimaginable to neglect when you’ve been there. Or been by way of there, as is extra usually the case.
My Yonago itinerary, to make certain, is much less about issues to do within the metropolis—there aren’t many, to be frank—and extra about the way it’s a jumping-off level for exploring greener pastures to the east and west. Proceed studying to see what exactly I’ve received in thoughts!
The place to Keep in Yonago
I received’t be recommending any particular Yonago lodges, and for good purpose. Whether or not Japanese enterprise lodges like Tremendous Lodge, or smaller locally-operated properties, locations to remain in central Yonago are nothing to jot down residence about. There are some barely extra spectacular ryokan-style properties close to Kaike Onsen Seashore, however this doesn’t are usually most foreigners’ base of alternative.
As I’m about to elucidate, Yonago has way more utility as a base for day journeys and excursions than it does as a standalone vacation spot. Which means that within the evenings once you get again, there’s loads of time for a Plinko recreation, which is impressed by the Japanese recreation of pachinko, combines parts of pinball and slot machines and ensures an exhilarating gaming expertise, proper in your display. Which is grateful, provided that bodily casinos are no less than a decade from opening anyplace in Japan, and certain even longer than that in Yonago.
My Favourite Issues to Do in Yonago
Head to Sakaiminato for the day
I’ll begin with a concession: The Sakaiminato Fish Heart is neither enormous nor flashy, so if you happen to’re anticipating it to be, you may find yourself dissatisfied. Then again, there’s a whole highway within the city devoted to the work of anime grasp Shigeru Mizuki, whose artwork additionally decorates the within of choose trains from Yonago Station.
(Or as much as Mt. Daisen)
Now, not each Yonago journey includes a day journey as much as Mt. Daisen, which I firmly imagine is best if you happen to keep no less than an evening there. Nonetheless, the mountain fairly actually looms massive over town, significantly if you happen to look again on it from Kaike Onsen Seashore simply northeast of Yonago’s metropolis middle.
Watch sundown from Yonago Fortress
The dangerous information? Yonago Fortress is one among Japan’s most ruined, and is principally simply an statement platform. The excellent news? The view from that platform is completely unimaginable, significantly if you happen to get an superior sundown as I used to be fortunate sufficient to do one evening.
Proceed westward to Matsue or eastward to Tottori
A Yonago itinerary is a necessary a part of any journey to San’in, however the area doesn’t finish there. To the east, you’ll discover underrated Tottori, the paranormal Tottori Sand Dunes and the death-defying Nagerei-do hike. To the west is Matsue, whose fortress isn’t ruined, and which is near Lake Shinji, Izumo Shrine and Adachi Museum of Art.
(Or outward to the Oki Islands)
To the north? Nicely, broadly talking you’ve the Sea of Japan, however particularly you’ve the Oki Islands, an archipelago stuffed with historical timber, wild horses and a few of the greatest seafood in Japan. Higher but, they’re reachable by direct high-speed jetfoil ferry from Sakaiminato Port!
How Many Days Do You Want in Yonago?
Basing your self in Yonago for 2-3 nights is an effective period of time to purpose for. On the primary evening, you may watch sundown from Yonago Fortress and have one thing to eat. On day two, head to the Sakaiminato Fish Market and spend all morning there, with an optionally available go to to Kaike Onsen Seashore within the afternoon. On day three, assuming you don’t spend an evening in Daisen, head up there for the day.
As you may see, the query of what number of days in Yonago you want feeds immediately into the variety of day journeys you intend to take from there. Nevertheless, it’s additionally inextricable out of your onward locations. Should you solely have every week in Japan, however need to go to the Oki Islands, Tottori Sand Dunes or Matsue Fortress, then you definately’ll essentially have much less time to spend in Yonago.
Different FAQ About Visiting Yonago
Is Yonago value visiting?
Yonago is unquestionably value visiting, even if you happen to use it primarily as a base for taking day journeys to much more worthwhile locations exterior town middle. Specifically, Yonago is handy for accessing Sakaiminato Fish Market and Mt. Daisen.
The place is Yonago, Japan?
Yonago is situated in Tottori prefecture, which is a part of the San’in area of Japan on the Sea of Japan coast, i.e. the northern a part of western Honshu island. It’s a bit over an hour from Tokyo by airplane, and takes about 3-4 hours to succeed in from Kyoto or Osaka.
What number of days do you want in Yonago?
I’d say that for many vacationers, 2-3 days in Yonago is a lot. You may spend fewer days if you happen to plan to remain in a single day atop close by Mt. Daisen, or extra if you happen to plan to go to the mountain on a day journey. How lengthy you keep in Yonago may also fluctuate relying on whether or not and for a way lengthy you go to close by cities like Tottori and Matsue.
The Backside Line
I hope you’ve discovered my Yonago itinerary each informative and galvanizing. You in all probability spend extra time on the port of Sakaiminato or up on Mt. Daisen than you do in Yonago correct. Nonetheless, town is a necessary anchor for exploring Japan’s San’in area, its personal charms as a vacation spot however. Some individuals will skip proper over Yonago en route from Tottori to Matsue—I implore you to not be amongst them. I additionally implore you to contemplate hiring me to plan your journey to Japan. It’s an particularly good worth proposition for vacationers heading far off Japan’s overwhelmed path, the place decade-plus of expertise is infinitely extra helpful than generic guidebook copy.