Dune in Japan, not only Hollywood movie Dune.
Hollywood movie Dune
Dune is an American science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert and published in 1965.
It is set on the desolate planet Dune, which is covered with sand and ruled by giant insects.
The epic drama revolves around the struggle for a spice called Melange which has the power to rule the universe.
Aldo the drama depicts the revolution of the Savior family and the chaos of the world.
It has recently been made into a movie for the fifth time and has become a hit in Japan.
Dune in Japan
Did you know that there is a huge dune in Japan too?
It is the Tottori Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture, a region in the west of Japan.
The dunes stretch 16 km east to west and 2.4 km north to south along the coast of Tottori Prefecture.
I think you will surprise by the scenery that does not look like it’s in Japan.
Origin of the Tottori Sand Dunes
(1) Sand is formed by weathering of granite in the Chugoku Mountains.
(2) When it rains, the sand turns into sediment and flows out to the Chiyo River.
(3) The sand is washed away by the river, goes out to the Sea of Japan, and is pushed back to the coast by waves.
(4) Strong winds blowing from the Sea of Japan send the sand inland.
Tottori Sand Dunes
San’in Kaigan ( coast) National Park where Sand Dunes locate was designated as a national park of Japan in 1963.
In the Tottori Sand Dunes, 131 hectares have become as a special protection area for its excellent dune scenery.
And all activities are most strictly regulated.
In 1955, the Tottori Sand Dunes became as a national natural monument in recognition of their academic value.
Also including the fact that they are the world’s largest undulating coastal dunes.
And they have unique landforms and plant communities such as wind crests, sand screens, sand pillars, and hamagou, the Sand Dunes flower.
The maximum elevation is 90 meters, creating a topography called “suribachi”.
It has a large depression in the shape of a bowl.
A particularly large suribachi (called a “big suribachi” ) is 40 meters high. On the slopes of Suribachi, there are patterns such as “saren,” .
These are reminiscent like a bamboo screen, formed by the flowing and collapsing sand.
Wind ripples, which are formed by winds of about 5 to 6 meters per hour, can also be seen.
The surface of the sand is not always dry.
At the deepest part of the Suribachi, there is a place where groundwater gushes out, called an “oasis,”.
It sometimes forms a shallow pond.
tourist attractions in Tottori Sand Dunes
Here, you can try tourist attractions like camel riding, sand boarding, fat biking, paragliding, yoga, Segway, and more.
There is also a sand museum where you can see the sand art by artists from around the world.
The entrance fee is 600 yen (6 dollars). It takes 2 hours 30 minutes to get there from Osaka.
If you like dune, why don’t you experience the Japanese dune?
I’m Nobu, one heart enjoy together!!!
Tottori Sand Dune travel guide