Most surprisingly good location in Japan: Tottori

I think a big part of a location surprising me in terms of how good it is involves low expectations. A lot of my favorite locations here have been places that often hit the lower end of most "top prefecture" lists, and I wrote about one of them that I'd love to live in which is Shimane. Another of my favorites, and one of my most surprisingly good locations in Japan, is Tottori.

Obviously you've got the big drawcard there of the sand dunes, and I highly recommend seeing them. It's a breathtaking place, and one of those natural wonders that really makes you think how incredible our planet is. The sand museum there is another phenomenal place to stop, with the sculptures there a real testament to sand as an artistic medium.

If you like unique architecture, the Jinpūkaku is also worth checking out, although according to their site it's closed for large-scale repairs until 2029! It was created as a Western-style residence for the Ikeda clan, and it's really beautiful to explore. 

I think I have quite an affinity for the underdog prefectures, so to speak! I love smaller cities, too, so this was a winner for me when I visited.