The Tottori Sand Dunes are located outside the city centre of Tottori. Extending for 14 km with a width of 2.4 km, they’re the largest sand dunes in Japan. They’re part of the San’in Kaigan Geopark. The sand formations were created when sediment deposits carried from the Chūgoku Mountains by the Sendai River were deposited into the Sea of Japan. Strong winds then shaped the dunes over a span of 100,000 years. The highest part of the dune is a slightly challenging climb, but it offers a spectacular view of the dunes extending along the coast in both directions. Rides on Bactrian camels are available for tourists who fancy themselves as desert adventurers.