Tottori Tours

This is Tottori Prefecture.  Please click on view larger map to see more of Tottori Prefecture and reference its proximity to other locations in this region of Western Japan.




The very interesting thing about Tottori Prefecture and the main Cruise Terminal in the Prefecture, which is the Sakaiminato Port, is that it located right near the border with Shimane Prefecture.  Therefore, for any Shore Excursions coming into this region we can kill 2 birds with one stone and combine 2 Prefectures for a double whammy.

These 2 must see Prefectures, that are located on the Sea of Japan, have a huge number of attractions that are virtually unknown, not only with International tourists but Japanese alike. Therefore not only will you have all the tourist attractions to yourself but you will be able to educate anybody about the incredible sights once you have completed your Shore Excursion.  We will provide you lasting memories on your Shore Excursions and Day Tours of this important historical area in Japan.


Here is a map of the Sakaiminato Port, also known as the Yumeminato Port.


Sakaiminato Cruise Port



SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Here is the suggested Itinerary for our Sakaiminato Shore Excursions:


Full-day Private Tour for Sakaiminato-Matsue, Japan

Tour company and guide contact information:
‘Hiroshima Private Tours’, in conjunction with ‘Tour Nagasaki’; 
Dion Clingwall (dclingwall@protonmail.com) and Shannon Lefebvre (shannon@tour-nagasaki.com)


How about a private boat ride around the Castles Moat?




Morning plan before the tour begins:
I will arrive at the Sakaiminato Cruise Ship Port between 8:30 – 9:00 a.m, roughly 30 minutes before the
ship dock and I’ll be waiting at the port dressed in a clearly identifiable manner.
For more information please click on this link below:

Your Sakaiminato-Matsue tour includes all transportation, entrance fees, snacks, and drinks, as well
as food costs (lunch, snacks while walking, etc.). I will stock the van with a wide variety of Japanese
snacks (usually more than 50 different options) and drinks. These items are the groups to enjoy while
touring and/or to bring with you as souvenirs at the end of the day. The group will only be responsible
for paying for personal items and souvenirs you buy while we visit the sites.

Tour Itinerary: 7 to 9 hours approx. Full Day Tour
Here is your tentative itinerary, you may choose any attraction to your liking:

1) Matsue Castle
For more information please click on this link below:


2) Bukeyashiki Samurai Residence (recently restored) – across from Matsue Castle.
For more information please click on this link below:

3) Kounkaku Mansion – Western style historical residence beside the castle (English site)
For more information please click on this link below:


4) Yuushien Peonie Garden Park – also possible location for lunch on our way back to the port.
For more information please click on this link below:


5) Public hot spring foot bath – If you feel like relaxing and soaking your feet after a day of touring whilst enjoying a Japanese obento (traditional lunchbox) whilst being served Japanese Sake and other alcoholic/ non alcoholic options.
For more information please click on this link below:


6 Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum – British teacher/author and Matsue resident in the late 1800’s.
For more information please click on this link below:

7) Meimei-An traditional teahouse – enchanting historical teahouse.
For more information please click on this link below:


8) Shopping on ‘Mizuki Shigeru Road’ – a nice, relaxing way to end the day, wandering close to the
port.
For more information please click on this link below:


9) Drive back to Sakaiminato Port - arrive by no later than 5pm, or when desired.



Ready and waiting for you




Transportation Arrangements: 
1) Nissan Serena or Toyota Estima – these are mini-vans that seat up to 7.
ii) Toyota HI-ace or Nissan Caravan – these are full-sized vans that seat up to 9.
The van is non-smoking and fully insured.

Payment Arrangements: 

A 25% non-refundable deposit via PayPal will reserve your tour booking. 
The remaining 75% of the fee can either:
i) be paid on the day of the tour in Japanese Yen, US Dollars, or Euros, or
ii) as per the deposit, be sent via Paypal by September 19 th , 2024.

If you choose to pay on the day of the tour, the previous day’s exchange rate will determine the final
price.


A lunchtime footbath


Inclusive: Your Sakaiminato-Matsue tour includes the guide fee, all transportation costs, entrance fees,
snacks, and drinks, as well as food costs (lunch, snacks while walking, etc.). Wifi will be provided
upon request.

Exclusive: gratuities, personal items and souvenirs

Tipping: In Japan, there is no tipping culture, and it is not expected. If one does give money in Japan
(as a thank you or a gift), it is usually offered in an envelope.
Japanese Yen: I can provide money exchange if something unexpected arises. If you would like me to
prepare a ‘large’ amount of Japanese yen for you in advance, please let me know and I will be happy to
arrange this for you.



Checking out Matsue Castle


Plenty of gardens to enjoy




DAY TOURS:
Full day private tour of Matsue and Shimane Prefectures.

Tour company and guide contact information:

‘Hiroshima Private Tours’, in conjunction with ‘Tour Nagasaki’;  

Dion Clingwall (dclingwall@protonmail.com) and Shannon Lefebvre (shannon@tour-nagasaki.com)



Your Sakaiminato-Matsue/ Shimane full day tour includes all transportation, entrance fees, snacks, and drinks, as well as food costs (lunch, snacks while walking, etc.). I will stock the van with a wide variety of Japanese snacks (usually more than 50 different options) and drinks.  These items are the groups to enjoy while touring and/or to bring with you as souvenirs at the end of the day. The group will only be responsible for paying for personal items and souvenirs you buy while we visit the sites.


Tour Itinerary: 8 to 10 hours Full Day Tour



1) Pick up at a Hotel, Airport or Train Station.

NB: Pick up's outside Shimane and Tottori Prefectures may incur a higher cost.


2) Drive roughly 1 hour to Izumo Taisha (Japanese site), the Shimane Prefectural English site.


3) We will spend roughly 1 hour at the shrine and the surrounding area. As the oldest, and one of the largest, most important Shinto shrines in Japan, Izumo Taisha is both impressively large and beautiful, it also carries within its grounds a mystical and intriguing history.


4a) Lunch: Either a good local restaurant (I will make a reservation at just such a place), a local bento box, or a visit to a Japanese supermarket.


4b) We will eat either while we drive, prior to departure, or somewhere along the way.


5) Drive back to Matsue (Matsue City tourism guide) for a visit to: Please choose approx 4 or 5 of the following options:

i) Matsue Castle 

ii) Bukeyashiki Samurai Residence (recently restored) – across from Matsue Castle.

iii) Kounkaku Mansion – Western style historical residence beside the castle (English site)

iv) Matsue Vogel Park (bird & flower Park) – a wonderful spot if you are interested in birds or flowers.

v) Yuushien Peonie Garden Park – also possible location for lunch on our way back to the port.

vi) Adachi Museum of Art – traditional Japanese paintings and a serene Japanese garden.

vii) Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum – British teacher/author and Matsue resident in the late 1800’s.

viii) Meimei-An traditional teahouse – enchanting historical teahouse.

ix) Itohara Ironworks museum and café (in Okuizumo) – an amazing spot to visit

x) Okuizumo Tatara Sword Museum and Forge – absolutely as interesting as it sounds.

xi) Shopping on ‘Mizuki Shigeru Road’ – a nice, relaxing way to end the day, wandering close to the port.

xii) Public hot spring foot bath – If you feel like relaxing and soaking your feet after a day of touring.


6) Drive back to Hotel/ Airport/ Train Station - arrive by no later than 6.00 pm.


Transportation Arrangements: 

i) Nissan Serena or Toyota Estima – these are mini-vans that seat up to 7.

ii) Toyota HI-ace or Nissan Caravan – these are full-sized vans that seat up to 10.

The van is non-smoking and fully insured.


Payment Arrangements: 


A 25% non-refundable deposit via PayPal will reserve your tour booking.

The remaining 75% of the fee can either:

i) be paid on the day of the tour in Japanese Yen, US Dollars, or Euros, or 

ii) as per the deposit, be sent via Paypal


If you choose to pay on the day of the tour, the previous day’s exchange rate will determine the final price.


Inclusive: Your Matsue/ Shimane tour includes the guide fee, all transportation costs, entrance fees, snacks, and drinks, as well as food costs (lunch, snacks while walking, etc.). Wifi will be provided upon request.


Exclusive: gratuities, personal items and souvenirs


Tipping: In Japan, there is no tipping culture, and it is not expected. If one does give money in Japan (as a thank you or a gift), it is usually offered in an envelope.


Japanese Yen: I can provide money exchange if something unexpected arises. If you would like me to prepare a ‘large’ amount of Japanese yen for you in advance, please let me know and I will be happy to arrange this for you.



Castle Town Samurai are present in the area

Kouraku Victorian styled house

Izumo Shrine in Shimane

So relaxing at the Foot bath

Traditional Carp street

Tea Ceremony






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