Facing the Sea of Japan, there’s a sandy desert. That’s right: far from being a mirage, this is Japan’s very own Sahara in the form of the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest in the country.

Formed over the course of 100,000 years by strong coastal winds and the constant movement of the tides, the dunes stretch 16 kilometres from east to west and 2 kilometres from north to south and, at their tallest, reach a height of 47 metres.

Made popular by the successful novel Woman in the Dunes by Kôbô Abe, the Tottori dunes offer a stunning view from the top. This unusual haven of peace is not to be missed by nature lovers or thrill-seekers. Whether you’re riding on a camel’s back, paragliding or hurtling down the dunes on a sandboard, the viewpoints are all equally breathtaking.

But, if you’re finding the sun too hot or the breeze too fresh, the Sand Museum is the perfect place to go. In this unique gallery, visitors can admire huge sand sculptures created by various international artists.