“Hōki Gurashi” is written from Hōki Town. But since most people would ask “where is Hōki Town, exactly?”, let’s start with where this town is and what it’s like overall.
Where Hōki Town is
It spreads across the southwestern foot of the famous Mt. Daisen, in the western part of Tottori Prefecture. It belongs to Saihaku District, and its population is around 10,000. It’s a town where rural rice fields in the valleys and highland with views of Mt. Daisen sit side by side.
You can see the town’s map on the map page. Looking at the spot pins gives you a feel for how the town stretches out.
How it sits relative to Mt. Daisen, Yonago, and the airport
- Mt. Daisen — rises to the northeast. Hōki Town is one of the southern gateways for Mt. Daisen sightseeing
- Yonago City — the next town to the west. The hub for shopping and transport, about 20 minutes by car
- Yonago Kitarō Airport — the air gateway of San’in. By rental car, about 30–40 minutes to town
In short, it’s “the town you pass through on your way from the airport to Mt. Daisen or Yonago.” Easy to drive right past — but it actually has some good things lined up.
What kind of town it is
In a word: the land of ogre legends and master swords, at the foot of Mt. Daisen.
- History — the ogre-slaying legend of Mt. Kizumi, said to be the oldest in Japan; the land tied to Yasutsuna, the swordsmith who created the National Treasure Dōjigiri Yasutsuna; and a stone shibi, one of only three in the country. For more, see the history stories
- The bounty of Mt. Daisen — Daisen G Beer, soft-serve ice cream from the pasture, farm stands of local produce
- Culture — the photography museum of the world-renowned photographer Shōji Ueda. Inside, a window frames Mt. Daisen like a picture
Where to go first
If you can’t decide, start with these three.
- Shōji Ueda Museum of Photography — the building itself is art. A famous spot for Mt. Daisen views
- Daisen G Beer · Ganbarius — freshly brewed craft beer and a meal
- Mt. Kizumi — the stage of Japan’s oldest ogre-slaying legend
The town was formed in 2005 by the merger of Kishimoto and Mizoguchi, and the Mizoguchi side has long been known as “the ogre town.” The origin and making of the name is also covered in the story of the name “Hōki”.
