#bringfido #dogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #lifeisbetterwithdogs #hikingwithdogs #thegreatoutdoors #adventureisoutthere #OptOutside #Iphonenofilter #roadtrip #Tottori #Japan
Do you miss jumping in the car with your dog and heading out on an adventure? I most certainly do! Spontaneous dog-friendly ventures are specially difficult in Japan where the terrain increases travel time and where little dogs rule. Well, if driving long hours is enjoyable to you as it is to me, I found a beautiful place where my dog was welcomed.
Behold, Tottori, Japan!
Tottori is the least populated prefecture in Japan, with plenty of small towns in rural areas and lots of natural attractions such as the Sand Dunes and Mount Daisen. The drive is approximately 4.5 hours from the Iwakuni MCAS base. We found a dog-friendly airbnb near Mt. Daisen (~3.5 hours away) and we drove everyday (~1.5 - 2 hours each way) to the San'in Kaigan Geopark, an UNESCO geopark with unique geological features (http://sanin-geo.jp/en/). The Geopark offers 64 km of picturesque hikes including the Sand Dunes, ocean cliffs, and inland mountains. I would recommend stopping at one of the Geopark museums to get a trail map. We stopped at the Museum of Earth and Sea, which includes free exhibits about the Sea of Japan and where trails heads are located.
On our last day, we went for a stroll on Mt. Daisen. It is a beautiful area with several hikes, small shops and temples. Just beware, it is snowy so hiking up the mountain requires snow gear and hiking poles. We are planning on returning during the summer to go kayaking and hiking. Hope you will get a change to check it out.
Happy trails with tails!
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