8 Recommended Tourist Spots in Hawai Onsen | Enjoy a Relaxing Dreamy Time in Hawai, Tottori

Beautiful sunset views from a waterside hotel. Is this tropical Hawaii? No, it's "Hawai Onsen" in Tottori Prefecture. Written as "羽合" in kanji, this is an authentic place name that has existed for a long time.
The sulfate hot springs here flow from the bottom of Lake Tōgō, with inns lining the lakeshore as if floating on the water. It also gained attention for appearing in a commercial for a major mobile carrier.
This article recommends nearby tourist spots to enjoy a resort-like experience at Hawai Onsen in Tottori.

1. Lake Tōgō: Enjoy Breathtaking Scenery from the Open-Air Baths

Located right in front of Hawai Onsen, Lake Tōgō is beloved for its shape, which resembles a crane spreading its wings when viewed from above, earning it the nickname "Crane Lake." The view of the lake from lakeside rooms and open-air baths is exceptional. The lake is also known for its fishing activities, with four hand nets used to catch fish like kawasagi and funa, making it a unique scene around Hawai Onsen. On clear days, the sunlight dances on the water, and at sunset, the lake surface glows with a golden hue.
At Tōgō Lake Park, near JR Matsuzaki Station, you'll find a footbath marked by two koi fish sculptures. Here, you can also enjoy making onsen eggs. The park provides nets, and by soaking your eggs in the hot water for 10–20 minutes, you can create perfectly soft onsen eggs.

2. Footbath Tour: Enjoy Various Unique Situations

Hawai Onsen and the nearby Tōgō Onsen have a total of seven free footbaths. One of these is the "Koi-no-Yu" (Bishamonten-no-Yu).
Other footbaths include the boat-shaped "Benzaiten-no-Yu," the "Jurojin-no-Yu" located in a bus stop bench, and the "Daikokuten-no-Yu" found inside a cafe famous for its delicious homemade bread. Each footbath offers a unique experience. Since they are integrated into the hot spring town, you can easily visit them while sightseeing or strolling.

3. Authentic Chinese Garden: "Enchō-en," Where You Can Even Wear a Cheongsam

Enchō-en is Japan's largest Chinese garden, built as a symbol of friendship between Tottori Prefecture and Hebei Province in China. The garden covers approximately 10,000 square meters and is based on the concept of an emperor's garden, offering 28 scenic views. The entire garden, from design to construction, was made in China, with buildings disassembled and transported to Japan. The structures are decorated with over 2,000 colorful murals, each painstakingly painted by Chinese artists.
Here in Hawai, Tottori, you can experience the charm of China. For women, there is even a cheongsam rental service. It’s an intriguing way to enjoy an exotic atmosphere at Hawai Onsen.

4. Shitori Shrine: A Quiet and Mystical Place to Pray for Textiles and Safe Childbirth

Located in a quiet mountain area to the northeast of Tōgō Lake, Shitori Shrine is dedicated to the gods of textiles, Takehazuchi-no-Mikoto and Tanabata-hime-no-Mikoto. The name "Shitori" can also be read as "Shizuri," "Shidori," or "Shitoori," all referring to silk weaving.
This historic shrine was once the chief shrine of Hōki Province during the late Heian period, with its main hall reconstructed in 1818. During the Taisho period, a burial mound was discovered on a hill near the Zuijin Gate, and all the artifacts found there have been designated as national treasures. Surrounded by trees, the atmosphere of the shrine is serene and sacred.
The shrine is also revered as a protector of women, especially for safe childbirth. Visitors praying for a safe delivery should stop by the "Anzan Iwa" (Safe Delivery Rock) and the "Me-Fushi Stone" (Couple Stone) in front of the shrine. It is said that women who visit the shrine will be blessed with happiness, just like the beautiful goddess, Shitose-hime.

5. Fudō Waterfall: A Powerful Sacred Waterfall for Purification and Relaxation

While relaxing in the hot springs or enjoying the view of Tōgō Lake is great, if you're seeking relaxation in nature, Fudō Waterfall is the place to go. Located in the mountains to the east of Tōgō Lake, crossing the lake from Hawai Onsen, Fudō Waterfall is a two-tiered waterfall with a 32-meter drop from an andesite cliff.
This waterfall has long been a site for ascetic practices, dedicated to Fudō Myō-ō (Acala), and the "Taki Opening" ceremony is held annually on July 7th. Men in their unlucky years come here to stand under the waterfall for purification, transforming their "unlucky year" into a "year of progress" (yaku-doshi to yaku-nen). Women can also receive the same spiritual benefits.
In the hot summer, the waterfall provides coolness, and you can inhale plenty of negative ions. The powerful waterfall, surrounded by greenery and the sound of water, allows you to feel your mind sharpen and refreshed.

6. Ueshii Castle Ruins: A Strategic Stronghold of the Hōki Region

About 4 km south of Hawai Onsen lies the Ueshii Castle, a mountain fortress built in the 14th century by the local lord, the Nanjo family. This castle was crucial for controlling movement across Tottori Prefecture, making it impossible to travel east-west without passing through it. During the Warring States period, it was the site of repeated battles between powerful warlords, including the Amago, Mōri, and Oda clans.
At the top of the steep, pudding-shaped mountain, there is a small replica of a castle keep, originally built in 1931 by the descendants of the Nanjo family and rebuilt in 1990. A road has been constructed up to the halfway point, with a parking lot, so reaching the summit is quicker than it appears. However, since the castle is in the mountains, comfortable footwear is recommended.
From the main area of the castle, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Hawai Onsen area and the Sea of Japan. This is considered one of the best scenic spots in the vicinity of Hawai Onsen.

7. Hawai Fudoki-kan: A Scenic Overlook on the Ancient Tombs

To the north of Hawai Onsen, nestled between Tōgō Lake and the Sea of Japan, lies the "Hashizu Kofun Group" on the hill of Uma-no-yama. The group includes five keyhole-shaped tombs and 19 circular tombs, with the keyhole tombs being among the earliest in Eastern Hōki.
On top of Uma-no-yama, you'll find the distinctive "Hawai Fudoki-kan." This five-story building, designed to resemble a castle and haniwa (clay figurines), is inspired by the story of Hideyoshi Hashiba (Toyotomi), who is said to have camped here during his confrontation with the Mōri clan. Inside the museum, you can explore displays related to the ancient history of Hawai (formerly Ue), as well as astronomy.
The top floor of the building features an observation deck where you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Hawai Onsen, Tōgō Lake, and the Sea of Japan. In the evening, the building is beautifully illuminated, making it a symbolic landmark of the Hawai Onsen area.

8. Kurayoshi: A Town of White-Walled Storehouses

Famous for its white-walled storehouses, Kurayoshi is located just a 10-minute drive from Hawai Onsen. Along the Tamagawa River, around 100 traditional houses dating from the late Edo period to the early Showa period remain intact.
The main attractions for tourists are the red-tiled buildings from No. 1 to No. 11, which now house restaurants, shops, and a tourist information center. Other notable sites include the Takada Sake Brewery, built in 1843, and the Western-style Kurayoshi Otemon, which was constructed in 1908 as a bank branch.
Kurayoshi’s white-walled storehouse district, designated as a National Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District under the name "Uchifuki Tamagawa," offers a historical and picturesque setting. If you're staying at Hawai Onsen, it's definitely worth taking a trip to this charming town.

Summary

We’ve introduced 8 recommended tourist spots around Hawai Onsen. The area surrounding Hawai Onsen, which takes its name from the "yu" (hot spring) character of Yūrihama Town in Tottori Prefecture, offers various attractions where nature and history come together, centered around Tōgō Lake. It’s quite a luxurious experience to enjoy both Japanese hot springs and a Chinese garden in Tottori’s "Hawaii." When traveling to Tottori Prefecture, be sure to stay at Hawai Onsen and experience these unique sites.