If you polled 10 foreigners and asked them each to place Yonago on a map, I’d be shocked if even a single one could do it. I don’t suspect the numbers would be much better for Japanese.
And yet while this second city in one of Japan’s tertiary regions (San’in) is easy to miss, it’s impossible to forget once you’ve been there. Or been through there, as is more often the case.
My favorite things to do in Yonago, to be sure, are less about the city-center—there aren’t many, to be frank—and more about how it’s a jumping-off point for exploring greener pastures to the east and west. Continue reading to see what precisely I’ve got in mind!
Where to Stay in Yonago
I won’t be recommending any specific Yonago hotels, and for good reason. Whether Japanese business hotels like Super Hotel, or smaller locally-operated properties, places to stay in central Yonago are nothing to write home about. There are some slightly more impressive ryokan-style properties near Kaike Onsen Beach, but this doesn’t tend to be most foreigners’ base of choice.
As I’m about to explain, Yonago has much more utility as a base for day trips and excursions than it does as a standalone destination. This means that in the evenings when you get back, there’s plenty of time for a Plinko game, which is inspired by the Japanese game of pachinko, combines elements of pinball and slot machines and ensures an exhilarating gaming experience, right on your screen. Which is thankful, given that physical casinos are at least a decade from opening anywhere in Japan, and likely even longer than that in Yonago.
My Favorite Things to Do in Yonago
Explore Yonago’s underrated city center
There aren’t a lot of things to do in central Yonago, but you can at least enjoy the morning here. From Yonago Station, I like walking or riding the bus to Sotobori-dori, a charming canal side neighborhood that’s picturesque, yet deserted. Next, I head to Teramachi, which lives up to its literal Japanese translation, i.e. “temple down.” Finally, whether or not I stay in one of its hot springs hotels, I ride the bus up to the coastal area of Kaike Onsen Beach.
Head to Sakaiminato for the day
I’ll continue with a concession: The Sakaiminato Fish Center is neither huge nor flashy, so if you’re expecting it to be, you might end up disappointed. On the other hand, there’s an entire road in the town dedicated to the work of anime master Shigeru Mizuki, whose art also decorates the inside of select trains from Yonago Station.
(Or up to Mt. Daisen)
Now, not every Yonago trip involves a day trip up to Mt. Daisen, which I firmly believe is better if you stay at least a night there. Still, the mountain quite literally looms large over the city, particularly if you look back on it from Kaike Onsen Beach just northeast of Yonago’s city center.
Watch sunset from Yonago Castle
The bad news? Yonago Castle is one of Japan’s most ruined, and is basically just an observation platform. The good news? The view from that platform is absolutely incredible, particularly if you get an awesome sunset as I was lucky enough to do one night.
Continue westward to Matsue or eastward to Tottori
A Yonago itinerary is an essential part of any trip to San’in, but the region doesn’t end there. To the east, you’ll find underrated Tottori, the mystical Tottori Sand Dunes and the death-defying Nagerei-do hike. To the west is Matsue, whose castle isn’t ruined, and which is close to Lake Shinji, Izumo Shrine and Adachi Museum of Art.
How Many Days Do You Need in Yonago?
Basing yourself in Yonago for 2-3 nights is a good amount of time to aim for. On the first night, you can watch sunset from Yonago Castle and have something to eat. On day two, head to the Sakaiminato Fish Market and spend all morning there, with an optional visit to Kaike Onsen Beach in the afternoon. On day three, assuming you don’t spend a night in Daisen, head up there for the day.
As you can see, the question of how many days in Yonago you need feeds directly into the number of day trips you plan to take from there. However, it’s also inextricable from your onward destinations. If you only have a week in Japan, but want to visit the Oki Islands, Tottori Sand Dunes or Matsue Castle, then you’ll necessarily have less time to spend in Yonago.
Other FAQ About Visiting Yonago
Is Yonago worth visiting?
Yonago is definitely worth visiting, even if you use it primarily as a base for taking day trips to even more worthwhile destinations outside the city center. In particular, Yonago is convenient for accessing Sakaiminato Fish Market and Mt. Daisen.
Where is Yonago, Japan?
Yonago is located in Tottori prefecture, which is part of the San’in region of Japan on the Sea of Japan coast, i.e. the northern part of western Honshu island. It’s a little over an hour from Tokyo by plane, and takes about 3-4 hours to reach from Kyoto or Osaka.
How many days do you need in Yonago?
I’d say that for most travelers, 2-3 days in Yonago is plenty. You can spend fewer days if you plan to stay overnight atop nearby Mt. Daisen, or more if you plan to visit the mountain on a day trip. How long you stay in Yonago will also vary depending on whether and for how long you visit nearby cities like Tottori and Matsue.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my list of things to do in Yonago both informative and inspiring. You probably spend more time at the port of Sakaiminato or up on Mt. Daisen than you do in Yonago proper. Still, the city is an essential anchor for exploring Japan’s San’in region, its own charms as a destination notwithstanding. Some people will skip right over Yonago en route from Tottori to Matsue—I implore you not to be among them. I also implore you to consider hiring me to plan your trip to Japan. It’s an especially good value proposition for travelers heading far off Japan’s beaten path, where decade-plus of experience is infinitely more valuable than generic guidebook copy.
