Castle completed
c. 1601 (Nakamura clan)Base city
Yonago City
The base city of western Tottori, where the castle-ruin view ties together city, lake, sea, and Mt. Daisen.
Yonago is the transport and lodging hub of western Tottori, with easy reach to Kaike Onsen, Sakaiminato, Mt. Daisen, and Tottori City. Spend the first day on the castle ruins and old-town walks to build a sense of the region before the rest of the trip.
- Best season
- Spring & autumn
- Time here
- Half to full day
- Good base for
- Rail, bus, short stays
- Gateway station
- JR Yonago Station
- Castle access
- ~15 min walk from station
Key facts
Summit view
Lake Nakaumi, Sea of Japan, Mt. Daisen, cityClimb to top
~15 min on footCity profile
City profile
| Population | About 144,056 (Jan 2025) |
|---|---|
| Trend | Slow decline from ~149,313 in 2015 |
| In the prefecture | 2nd-largest city in Tottori (after Tottori City) |
| Aged 65+ | About 29.9% (1 in 3.4 is 65+) |
| Income per capita (prefecture) | Tottori ranks near the bottom nationally (~¥2.3M vs ~¥2.9M average) |
What to see & do
What to see & do
1
National Historic Site
Yonago Castle Ruins
Built on Minato hill jutting into Lake Nakaumi, the upper stone terraces take in the lake, the Sea of Japan, Mt. Daisen, and the city at once. The wooden keep is gone, but the massive walls remain striking; it was designated a National Historic Site in 2006. Two free parking lots (Sannomaru and Minatoyama Park) serve visitors.
2
Nature / wetlands
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary
On the shore of Lake Nakaumi, the sanctuary suits quiet slow travel, families, and photography, with migratory birds and swans in winter—a wetland layer beyond Yonago's sea, mountain, and onsen. Winter weekends open early at 7:00 for dawn birdwatching. Closed Tuesdays and Dec 29–Jan 3.
3
Old-town walk
Old town & Kamogawa walk
Below the ruins, the Kamogawa canal and old-town streets keep the feel of a former merchant quarter—good for slow walking, cafes, and old architecture. Chained after the castle, it makes a half-day that captures the city's texture, so Yonago is more than a transfer point.
4
Transport hub
Yonago Station & Gaina Road
Yonago is the 'birthplace of the San'in railway,' and its station is the pivot toward Sakaiminato (Sakai Line), Izumo, and Daisen. The 2023 station building and the 'Gaina Road' free passage connect the east and west sides, smoothing transfers and the walk into town.
Local names
Local names
Yonago Takashimaya
A long-standing department store between the station and old town—handy for shopping, gifts, and a rest in the city center.
Kamogawa & Teramachi old town
Below the ruins, the Kamogawa canal and Teramachi keep an old merchant-town feel—good for slow walks, cafes, and old buildings.
Yonago Station & Gaina Road
The 2023 station building and east–west free passage connect both sides of the station—the pivot for transfers toward Sakaiminato, Izumo, and Daisen.
White negi & the 'Yonegees' mascot
Yonago is known for white negi (Welsh onion); the city mascot 'Yonegees' is shaped from it—and a negi's split leaves look like a 'Y', a friendly emblem of the city.
Mt. Daisen from Yumigahama
Along the Yumigahama peninsula, Mt. Daisen sits between sea and sky—one of the signature views on the Yonago–Sakaiminato coast.
Getting there & around
Getting there & around
Getting in: rail, bus, and airport hub
Yonago Station is a San'in rail junction, with the Yakumo limited express from the Okayama side, plus highway buses and Yonago Kitaro Airport. Confirm current services on official pages.
Getting around: walking plus bus/taxi
The ruins and old town are walkable; Kaike and Sakaiminato are reached by JR, bus, or taxi. Yonago's core works without a car, but Daisen and the dunes need same-day transport checks.
Essentials
Essentials
| Castle admission | Free, open anytime (ruins) |
|---|---|
| Castle parking | Sannomaru & Minatoyama Park lots (free) |
| Sanctuary hours | 9:00–17:30 (Nov–Mar weekends from 7:00) |
| Sanctuary admission | Adults ¥310 · overseas ¥200 · free under 15 |
| Sanctuary closed | Tuesdays, Dec 29–Jan 3 |
| Getting in | JR (Yakumo express via Okayama), highway bus, Yonago Kitaro Airport |
A sample day
A sample day
- 09:30
Start at Yonago Station
Pick up maps and drop bags at the station, then head west toward Minato hill.
Move ~15 min walk to the castle entrance
- 10:00
Climb Yonago Castle Ruins
About a 20-minute climb; from the top take in the lake, sea, Daisen, and city at once to anchor the whole trip.
Move Walk back down into the old town
- 11:30
Old town walk + lunch
Follow the Kamogawa through the old merchant quarter, with a cafe or local lunch to feel the city's everyday texture.
Move Back to the station; ~10 min by car/bus
- 13:30
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary
Head to the lake for wetlands and waterbirds—migratory birds and swans in winter—a slower natural close to the city day.
Move Continue to Kaike Onsen or Sakaiminato
- 15:30
On to the next base
Go to Kaike for onsen and dinner, or Sakaiminato for one more culture stop. Save farther Daisen and the dunes for a weather-stable day.
How to plan it
How to plan it
Who it's for
First-time western Tottori visitors who want transport flexibility, rail/bus travel, or a short stay—and anyone using Yonago as a base for day trips.
Season notes
Spring is best for the ruins and old town; summer pulls toward coast and port; autumn has the finest walking weather; winter shifts to onsen, crab, and the sanctuary's swans.
Pairs well with
Pairs well with
Kaike Onsen
Short transfer and an instant onsen-plus-dinner evening—ideal for the first night.
Sakaiminato
The top car-free culture day trip; Mizuki Shigeru Road starts at JR Sakaiminato Station.
Before you go
Before you go
Source ledger
Source ledger
Commercial-grade travel content needs visible sources and dates. These are the sources used on this page.
Yonago Castle Ruins
Japan National Tourism Organization · official tourism
Yonago Castle Ruin
Yonago Tourist Guide · official tourism
Access
Yonago Tourist Guide · official tourism
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary · official operator
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary
Japan National Tourism Organization · official tourism
Yonago Castle official site — access & parking
Yonago Castle Official · official tourism
National Historic Site: Yonago Castle Ruins
Yonago City · official history
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary — hours, fees & access
Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary · official operator
Yonago Station new building and Gaina Road free passage (2023)
JR-WEST · official railway
Birthplace of the San'in railway
Yonago Tourist Guide · official tourism
Yonago City official site (mascot, city info)
Yonago City · official tourism
Yonago City population statistics
Yonago City · official statistics
Tottori prefectural economic accounts (income per capita)
Tottori Prefecture · official statistics
Prefectural economic accounts (national comparison)
Cabinet Office of Japan · official statistics
YAKUMO Limited Express
JR-WEST · official railway
Yonago Kitaro Airport access
Yonago Kitaro Airport · official airport
Kaike Onsen Access
Yonago Tourist Guide · official tourism
Tottori Prefecture access guide
Tottori Tourism Guide · official tourism
Food
Tottori Tourism Guide · official tourism
Yonago Kitaro Airport routes and timetables
Yonago Kitaro Airport · official airport