This underrated region of Tottori is home to wonderful scenery, fascinating culture, and friendly locals. The majestic China Mountains traverse the area, making it the historic center of Japanese mountain worship culture – Tottori’s beautiful landscape has been considered sacred for centuries and has given birth to fascinating spiritual practices. Now, a new tour offered by Skytrek allows visitors to view these towering mountains from above.
Skytrek is Japan’s first on-demand charter service for small aircraft such as private jets. Their customized sightseeing flights and tours allow visitors to easily travel to beautiful and remote areas of the country, and marvel at the scenery from the sky in the process. Tottori tours are available year-round and focus on the region’s mountains and the unique culture surrounding them.
Every trip to Tottori begins with a private jet ride through the clouds from Tokyo. This three-day course comes with a guide and translator, and the idea is to appreciate Tottori’s natural beauty from the three dimensions of ground and sky. As a result, participants will enjoy the natural beauty of Mount Santoku and Mount Daizan, two sacred mountains in the area, with hiking experiences available from April to November. They can also soak up the retro charm of the hot spring town, check into a luxurious traditional inn, and then fly directly back to Tokyo on a private jet to once again admire the majestic scenery from the air.
Here’s an overview of the famous attractions you might encounter on your Tottori Skytrek tour:
Santoku Mountain, Jianjingdo Hall, Sanchao Hot Spring
Mount Santoku in Tottori Prefecture is perhaps one of the most sacred mountains in all of Japan. It is famous for the Nageiredo Hall, a sacred and mysterious building that sits directly on the edge of the cliff in a way that defies explanation. Not surprisingly, the fame of Mount Mitoku has made it a place frequented by many pilgrims throughout the ages, who have come to pray and enjoy the mountain’s pristine natural beauty.
The mountain is 899.9 meters high, and at 400 meters above sea level sits Nageiredo Hall, a mountain shelter that is still in use today. Dubbed “the country’s most dangerous national treasure,” the Nageiredo seems to defy the laws of physics, clinging almost magically to the sheer cliff face. Legend has it that the temple was built by Enkyō, the founder of Japanese mountain asceticism, who used magic to throw it over the edge of a cliff. To this day, the actual construction methods remain unknown.
Closer to the mountain is Misasa Hot Spring, a relaxing hot spring resort. In the past, monks would bathe in these hot spring waters to purify their bodies before climbing Mount Mitoku. This is believed to heal the six senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and spirit. They climb the Three Virtues Mountain with purified bodies and can also purify the six consciousness roots: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
Oyama, Kaio Hot Spring
The mountain is another prominent spiritual and cultural landmark. It is known as Japan’s second Mount Fuji due to its striking resemblance to the original Mount Fuji, especially its unique conical shape. The highest peak in the entire Chinese mountain range, it dominates the landscape and is a reference point for every local and tourist.
Near the mountain lies Kaei Onsen Resort, a rare combination of hot springs and sea in Japan: it is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan and is famous for its sodium chloride-rich seawater. Perfect for pre- or post-hike, this is the final stop on a mountain worship tour.
Skytrek Tottori Tour Details and Itineraries: Marvel at Mysterious Landscapes with Exquisite Luxury
Skytrek’s Tottori tour lasts three days and two nights. The first night stops at Misasa Onsen Town, allowing visitors to soak up the area’s Edo period charm, explore the quaint streets at leisure, and stay at the famous Misasakan Ryokan.
The next day, visitors will be taken to climb nearby Mount Mitoku. The hike takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and you will be accompanied by a local guide and translator. This hike is moderately strenuous and requires only light gear if needed. Afterwards, guests will be transferred to Kaio Hot Spring Town. Here, you’ll bathe in the area’s hot waters and relax your tired muscles while reflecting on the day’s excitement and learnings. The accommodation for the night was the luxury hotel “Yado Shiontei”.
The next day, after breakfast at the ryokan, visitors will ascend the mountain on a guided tour that includes a Zen meditation experience. Then, we went down the mountain and took a private jet back to Tokyo.
While the mountains are beautiful year-round, late October is an especially popular time to visit—it’s a great way to see the fall foliage as the mountains burst into color. April is also a great time to travel. This season, the trees are green and lush.
For more information, visit the Skytrek website.