Our Tottori family travel story began on a spring afternoon, with both kids and parents swept up in the thrill of a sand dunes experience. From the moment we arrived, a sledding adventure at Tottori Sand Dunes was all the boys could talk about, and seeing it all from a kids perspective made the day unforgettable. Racing down the hills, climbing back up, and laughing through the wind, this is what a sand dunes experience with children in Japan truly feels like.
This post is part of our ongoing Luca & Nico’s Travel Journal series, inspired by our actual adventures, interactions, and discoveries in Japan with kids.
Planning your own visit to the Tottori Sand Dunes? Don’t miss our Tottori Sand Dunes with Kids Guide for everything you need to know, from camel rides and sandboarding to stroller access and how to get there.
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To give you a real sense of what it’s like to experience our Tottori Sand Dunes family travel story through young eyes, here’s what Luca and Nico had to say about our visit.
Luca’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
I was so excited to see how tall the Tottori Sand Dunes really were. The sand was soft and cool, but the wind almost blew my hat away before we even started! As soon as we got our sleds, I wanted to run to the very top and zoom down as fast as possible. Climbing up was tough, every time I took a step, my foot slid right back, but Papa told me to move fast, and I stopped getting stuck. It worked! The best part was flying down the dune over and over. I didn’t feel nervous at all. I wanted to keep going until I beat my own record for the fastest slide. The wind was loud, but I barely noticed it, I was too busy laughing.
~ Luca
Nico’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
The sand dunes are HUGE and the wind is even huger! My sled was almost as big as me. I tried to carry it, but the wind wanted to carry me instead. Papa had to help me or I’d still be rolling around somewhere at the bottom. I almost lost my hat; next time, I’ll wear my superhero cape to keep it on. After we finished sledding, my legs said “Nope, I’m not moving!” so I just lay down in the sand and told everyone I lived there now. Papa said we had to return the sleds, but I pretended to be a sand statue until someone picked me up. Next time, I want to beat Papa in a race and maybe even sandboard, when I’m older and not so sleepy!
~ Nico
Luca & Nico’s Challenge
Can you race your parents down the dunes and win? Extra points if you can make it to the bottom before anyone loses a hat!
Parent Insight
Sometimes your kids will surprise you with just how fearless they can be. Watching them try new things, even when they seem challenging or a little wild, can build a confidence and joy you never expected to see. Letting them lead the adventure opens up memories for everyone.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Tottori Sand Dunes
- The Tottori Sand Dunes are the largest dunes in Japan, stretching for over 16 kilometers along the Sea of Japan coast.
- Some dunes reach up to 50 meters high, the perfect natural playground for sledding, sandboarding, or just tumbling down.
- The dunes were formed over thousands of years by sediment carried from the Chūgoku Mountains and shaped by strong coastal winds.
- The area changes every year, as the wind constantly shifts and creates new shapes and slopes.
Until Next Time…
We’ll be back, maybe when we’re big enough for sandboards! The dunes will still be waiting for the next great race (and the next sand statue, too).
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
