Getting Around Yonago
Yonago is a compact city in western Tottori Prefecture, and its flat central area makes it relatively easy to navigate. Most visitors arrive at JR Yonago Station, which serves as the main hub for trains, highway buses, local buses, and taxis. From there, the city and the surrounding San'in region open up by rail, bus, and on foot.
Rail Network
Yonago Station is the city's primary rail gateway, served by JR West. The San'in Main Line runs east–west through the city, connecting Yonago with Tottori to the east and Matsue and Izumo to the west. The Hakubi Line branches south from Hōki-Daisen toward Okayama, where you can connect to the shinkansen. The Sakai Line runs northwest from Yonago toward Sakaiminato, with several local stops along the way.
For regional travel, limited express trains such as the Yakumo, Super Matsukaze, and Super Oki serve Yonago. The Yakumo connects to Okayama, the nearest shinkansen stop, while the Super Matsukaze and Super Oki run along the San'in Main Line to destinations like Kurayoshi, Tottori, Matsue, Izumo, and beyond. Local trains are sufficient and economical for shorter hops to Matsue and Izumoshi. An overnight train, the Sunrise Izumo, also serves Yonago from Tokyo.
For visitors with a foreign passport, JR West sells regional rail passes covering Yonago. The San'in-Okayama Pass covers services to Okayama and a large stretch of the San'in Main Line, valid on local and rapid trains and non-reserved seats of limited expresses. The San'yō-San'in Pass covers a much wider area, including the entire San'yō Shinkansen and destinations such as Takamatsu, Miyajima, and Hakata, and is valid on reserved and non-reserved seats of limited express and shinkansen trains. These passes are an alternative to the national Japan Rail Pass.
Buses and Local Transport
Yonago Station is served by many highway buses, making it a practical arrival point for travelers coming from other parts of Japan. Overnight and daytime services connect Yonago with Shinjuku, Nagoya, Okayama, Hiroshima, and various Kansai cities including Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe.
Within the city, local buses operate from the Yonago Station area. The Dandan Bus and Donguri Korokoro Bus are city loop services that charge a flat fare per ride, and the Three Day Wooden Bus Ticket is valid on most prefecture buses (excluding express buses) and includes discounts at sightseeing spots. This ticket can be purchased at bus terminals and information centers at JR Tottori, Kurayoshi, and Yonago stations.
For sightseeing beyond the city, the Daisen Loop Bus is a seasonal circular route linking Yonago with attractions around Daisen National Park. It operates from late April to late November, mostly on weekends and holidays, with daily service during Golden Week, the first three weeks of August, and late October through early November. Most buses depart from Yonago Station's bus platform no. 4, and the route includes stops at Kaike Onsen, Daisenji Temple, the Shoji Ueda Museum of Photography, and Tottori Prefectural Flower Park, among others. Fares are paid on the bus, but one-day and two-day passes must be purchased in advance at locations such as the Nihon Kotsu Office at Yonago Bus Station Terminal, the Yonago Tourism Office at JR Yonago Station, and various hotels and tourist facilities along the route. A Daisen Loop Bus ticket also entitles holders to discounts at some attractions.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Yonago, particularly around JR Yonago Station. For visitors interested in organized taxi tours, the broader Tottori region offers reserved taxi courses, though these are arranged from Tottori City rather than Yonago.
Walkability
Central Yonago is mostly flat, and the area around JR Yonago Station is walkable for accessing nearby shops, restaurants, and services. The city center evolved from the jōkamachi of Yonago Castle, and some historic sites, including the castle ruins, are within reach on foot from the central area. For attractions farther out, such as Kaike Onsen along Miho Bay, you will need to use buses, trains, or taxis.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Miho-Yonago Airport (YGJ) straddles the border of Yonago and Sakaiminato, about 15 km from central Yonago. It is served by flights from Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Incheon, and Hong Kong. Airport buses and trains connect the airport to the city center, making it straightforward to reach Yonago Station and onward destinations.
Izumo Airport (IZO) is another option, located in Shimane Prefecture at the other end of Lake Shinji. It has flights to Haneda, Osaka-Itami, Nagoya-Komaki, Fukuoka, and Oki. By car, it is about 45 minutes from Yonago along the San'in Expressway. By public transport, you can take a bus to JR Matsue Station and then a local train to Yonago, or a limited express for a faster connection.
Practical Tips
- JR Yonago Station is the main transport hub for trains, highway buses, local buses, and taxis.
- Regional rail passes for foreign visitors, such as the San'in-Okayama Pass and San'yō-San'in Pass, can save money on train travel around Yonago.
- The Three Day Wooden Bus Ticket is valid on most prefecture buses and includes sightseeing discounts; buy it at JR Yonago Station or other designated terminals.
- The Daisen Loop Bus is a seasonal sightseeing option for reaching Daisen area attractions; passes must be bought in advance, not on the bus.
- Some bus services are limited, so check timetables in advance, especially for seasonal routes.
- Central Yonago is flat and walkable near the station, but use buses or taxis for attractions farther out like Kaike Onsen.