The Tottori Sand Dunes, a 16-km stretch along the Sea of Japan coast, has introduced eco-tourism experiences for international visitors in response to growing interest in responsible tourism in Japan.
Each 90-minute session includes an introduction to the dunes’ unique environment and an expert-led weeding activity to remove invasive plant species. These will be repurposed into compost and used in the production of washi paper.
According to the Tottori Sand Dunes Mirai Council, which operates the programme, an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of the dunes have been overtaken by non-native vegetation over the past two decades. These plants contribute to the formation of mounds that cause erosion, reduce native biodiversity, and interfere with activities such as sandboarding. Over time, these changes could destabilise the dune system and threaten its preservation.
Local tourism operators believe the initiative may attract new visitors and renew interest in the dunes, which currently draw more than 1.3 million visitors each year.
“We hope that our growing efforts to protect and preserve the dunes will raise awareness of their importance and inspire more visitors to come and see them,” said Hirokazu Hirai, chief of the tourism and geopark promotion section at Tottori city government.
Allan Takahashi, representative director of Anoma Hospitality Group Co., which is scheduled to open a Marriott Luxury Collection hotel near the dunes in 2029, added: “The Tottori Sand Dunes are one of many attractions that Tottori has to offer, and Tottori’s increasing efforts to showcase them to a global audience are sure to increase the area’s popularity as a tourist destination.”
