Land of ogre legends, master swords, and the foot of Mt. Daisen.

Hōki Gurashi

A travel journal from Hōki, Tottori

A local journal from Hōki Town in western Tottori — the gateway between Yonago Airport, Mt. Daisen, and the San’in coast. Notes on places worth visiting, old legends, and everyday life, written by someone who lives here.

English pages for the essentials are below. Full article translations are still in progress — the Japanese site has the complete content, and the map works in any language.

Open the map Go to the Japanese site
A travelling white rabbit with a big furoshiki bundle (ink drawing)

Start here

Where is Hōki? The town’s location and what’s here — at the foot of Mt. Daisen. History Japan’s oldest ogre legend, master swords, and a sacred mountain. Spots A full list of places to go — sights, hot springs, food and views — with priority marks. Airport guide Flights, rental cars, buses and the Kitarō train — and the quickest routes. Map All the spots, history sites and scenery on one map (works in any language). About this site What Hōki Gurashi is, and how to read it.

Upcoming events

Seasonal listings from Hōki and Mt. Daisen

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Exhibition

Special Exhibition: Shoji Ueda, The Radiance of a Gaze

Staged photographs, family pictures and fashion work in three sections

Time
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.); closed Tuesdays (or the following day when Tuesday is a holiday). Open on September 22 and 23
Place
Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography (353-3 Sumura, Hōki Town)
Access
About 5 minutes from the Daisen Kogen Smart IC on the Yonago Expressway, or about 15 minutes from Mizokuchi IC or Yonago IC. Free parking for 100 cars.
Note
Admission: ¥1,000 adults, ¥500 high school and university students, ¥300 elementary and junior high students (group discounts available). Inquiries: Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography, 0859-39-8000.

An exhibition tracing Shoji Ueda's gaze and viewpoint through works from the pre-war years to his late period, arranged in three sections: staged photographs that place people like objects, family pictures, and fashion photography.

Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography, exhibition pageMuseum mapVisitor information (hours, closures, admission)

Food market

Hōki Nigiwai Food Marche

Nineteen local vendors, plus stage performances

Time
10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Place
Around Terrace the Daisen, next to the Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography (Sumura, Hōki Town)
Note
The time and venue are taken from Hōki Town's official video (published September 4, 2026). Check the official announcements for parking before you set out. Organised by the Museum-Area Revitalisation Committee (Hōki Town Tourism Association, Hōki Town Chamber of Commerce, Daisen Ham Co., Ltd., and Hōki Town). Inquiries: Hōki Town Planning Division, 0859-68-4212.

A food market the town introduces with the line "delicious and fun, gathered at the green foot of Mt. Daisen." Nineteen local vendors will take part, alongside a stage programme of music and performances. The venue is the area around Terrace the Daisen, next to the Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Hōki Town official announcementVenue mapHōki Town official video (time and venue)Promotional video (theme song by teru-sora)Organiser's Instagram (latest updates)

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Exhibition

Reopening Special Exhibition: Orochi and Susanoo, Afterwards

The museum reopens on October 1 after a year and a half; this is the commemorative exhibition

Place
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo (99-4 Kizuki-higashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo)
Note
Hours and admission will be announced on the official site for the reopening; check before you go.

Closed since April 2025 for seismic works and gallery renewal, the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo reopens on Thursday, October 1, 2026. This commemorative exhibition follows how the myth of Yamata no Orochi and Susanoo was retold in later ages. The 358 National Treasure bronze swords and the giant pillars of Izumo Taisha will be on view again.

Official reopening announcementMuseum map

Sports

3rd Hōki Town Relay Marathon

Three runners share a 3.9 km relay. Entries close October 6

Time
Check-in from 8:30 a.m., opening ceremony 8:45 a.m., start 9:00 a.m. (elementary school division first)
Place
Course around Hōki Town Sports Park (meet and check in at the rugby field)
Note
Enter with the official form by Tuesday, October 6, at Hōki Town Sports Park (email and fax accepted). Bibs and sashes are handed out at check-in. Spectators may not step onto the road. Inquiries: Hōki Town Sports Park, 0859-68-3775.

A relay marathon held on Sports Day around Hōki Town Sports Park. Teams of three each run 1.3 km for a total of 3.9 km, with divisions for elementary, junior high and adult runners (men and women separately) plus a family division. Teams are formed from schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods and sports clubs within the town, and the top three teams in each division receive medals. Held even in light rain.

Hōki Town official call for teamsVenue mapEvent guidelines (PDF, with course map)

Autumn festival

Forest and Clear Stream Village Festival

An autumn market of local vegetables, specialties and crafts

Time
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Place
Daisen Garden Place (1800-26 Maruyama, Hōki Town)
Access
About 5 minutes by car from the Daisen Kogen Smart IC on the Yonago Expressway, or about 12 minutes from Yonago IC or Mizokuchi IC. Parking is available at Daisen Garden Place.
Note
Check the official site shortly before the day for the program. Inquiries: Hōki Town Industry Division, 0859-68-4211.

Hōki Town's autumn festival, held every year at Daisen Garden Place. Alongside stalls of local vegetables, specialties and crafts, past years have featured a prize drawing, mochi pounding and charity events. The 2026 edition is on Sunday, November 1.

Hōki Town official event detailsVenue map

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Evening event

Sand Museum Projection Mapping 2026: Fantasia of Sand and Light

Images of Spain's history and architecture projected onto the sand sculptures; open every day of the run

Time
Shows 4:00–7:00 p.m. (until 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and November 22), about 8 minutes every 30 minutes. Museum open 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and November 22
Place
The Sand Museum, Tottori Sand Dunes (2083-17 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori)
Note
Admission: ¥800 adults (¥600 groups), ¥400 elementary to high school students (¥300 groups), free for preschool children.

An evening event projecting images themed on Spain's history and architecture onto the sculptures of this year's exhibition, "A Sand Journey Around the World: Spain." The sculptures stay illuminated outside show times. Seven shows a day from Sunday to Thursday, eight on Fridays, Saturdays and November 22.

Sand Museum official announcementVenue map