Tottori Sand Dunes in Japan

entrance of Tottori Sand Dunes 

(Japanese: Tottori Sakyu, 鳥取砂丘).
 

There was a cart pulled by a horse to go to the sand dunes.

We were surprised to see the largeness of the dunes.

 

 

We were surprised to see the height of the sand dunes. 

 

 

Top of the Tottori Sand Dunes.

It was tough to climb over the high sand dune.

But it was an excellent view to see the Japan sea from there.

the beautiful sea of Japan [Japanese: Nihon-kai, 日本海]. 

 

 

We found an island which looks like a whale. 

This is Amou island [Japanese: Amou-jima, 海士島].
 

 

We had lunch in Tottori Sand Dunes while watching the Japan sea. 

 

 

We can try a paraglider in Tottori Sand Dunes.
 

 

We were so happy to see the camels in Tottori Sand Dunes.
We rode on a camel !

Access
There is a sightseeing bus [鳥取観光周遊バス] called "loop-kirinjishi/ ループ麒麟獅子" to go to Tottori Sand Dunes from Tottori station [鳥取駅].

Episode of Tottori Sand Dunes

Tomo & Chouchou went to the Japanese desert called Tottori Sand Dunes [Tottori Sakyu] in summer. There was a slope to go to Tottori Sand Dunes from the entrance. There was a cart pulled by a horse to go to the sand dunes for the old people or tourists. However we walked up the slope by ourselves.
Once we went up, we were so surprised to see the largeness of the dunes in front. Because we didn't imagine that the dunes would be so big. Then we were also surprised to see the height of the sand dunes.
To approach the sea, we must walk in the desert. Most tough part was to climb over the high sand dunes. Our feet went deep into the sand so it was very difficult to walk. But when we arrived the top of the sand dunes, we could see the beautiful sea of Japan. It was fantastic view. The sea of Japan in front of Tottori Sand Dunes is the most beautiful sea in Japan for us.
We found an island or a rock which look like a whale in the sea. Later we understood it was the island called "Amou Island [Amou-jima, 海士島]. No one live on this island.
We had lunch in Tottori Sand Dunes while watching the Japan sea. It was a luxarious view.
We can also enjoy some activities in Tottori Sand Dunes such as paragliding and riding a camel. We were dreaming of riding a camel there, so we were very happy to see the camels in Tottori Sand Dunes. Then we rode on a camel to take photos together. Camels looked tired a bit but they stood up and nicely posed for pictures.
When we were on the camel in the desert, we didn't feel that we were in Japan.
But at the same time, we were very happy to know that Japan has the big nature and keep the nature. We really enjoy the beauty of nature in Tottori Sand Dunes.

Dune du Pilat in France

French dune "Dune du Pilat"
Dune du Pilat is around 2.7km in length from north to south, 500 m wide from east to west and 110 metres above sea level.
Dune du Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe.
Dune du Pilat is located 60 km from Bordeaux. 

 

There is stairs to go up the dune.

↓

Go up stairs

 360℃ panorama view on the top of the dune.

There is the large forest at stairs side.

We can see blue Arcachon Bay (French: Bassin d'Arcachon)
on the other side.

Episode of Dune du Pilat 

Tomo & Chouchou found Dune du Pilat from Japanese guidebook. Honestly, we didn't imagine that France has the desert. So we decided to go there to find out. We stayed  at camping site in Lacanau. Then we went to Dune du Pilat from Lacanau.
From the car parking, we couldn't see any desert. So we didn't expect a big desert. Anyway we were excited to see the desert in France! We had to walk up to the entrance of the desert. Then we suddenly found the tall desert in front of us! We were very surprised to see such a tall sand dune. Actually we learned Dune du Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe. 

First step was to go up the stairs. It was a little bit tiring. Anyway when we arrived at the top of the sand dune, we forgot our tiredness. We were so excited to see wonderful landscape. Moreover, we could see 360℃ panorama view. Green forest, Blue Arcachon bay, and Beige sand. Everything was beautiful!
It is the place where we can enjoy both sea and mountains.
It's a sand dune but people enjoy getting suntan with swimming suit like a beach. Tomo & Chouchou enjoyed the fresh wind on the top of the dune and view. But it's hot anyway. We couldn't stay so long there. We went down the dune. We took our lunch at the restaurant between Dune du Pilat and car parking. The restaurant was under the trees, so it was cool and we could also enjoy the nature. It was nice place to take a rest.

 

Tomo & Chouchou's advices for Dune du Pilat

1) It's difficult to walk in the sand dune because our feet go deep in the sand.
We advise you to wear something easy to walk in the sand. There is a place to wash your feet near the car parking. It's convenient.
2) There are some restaurants and shops on the way to go to Dune du Pilat in the forest. You can get some foods or things there. There is no places to get drinks or snaks afte going up the stairs of the dune. So you had better get before going up.
 

 
close cities from Dune du Pilat

* Bordeaux