This charming kokeshi dolls is a delightful souvenir from Tōgō Onsen (東郷温泉), a historic hot spring town in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. What makes them truly unique is their texture, they are made using actual Tottori sand, evoking the region’s most iconic natural landmark, the Tottori Sand Dunes (鳥取砂丘).
The Tottori Sand Dunes are Japan’s largest sand dunes, stretching approximately 16 kilometers along the Sea of Japan coast in Tottori Prefecture. Formed over thousands of years by sediment carried from the Chūgoku Mountains and shaped by strong coastal winds, these sweeping dunes offer a rare desert-like landscape in Japan.
The minimalist facial expressions and round forms give them a modern folk charm, while the sandy finish adds a tactile connection to the local landscape. Set on a black wooden base and accompanied by their original striped box, these dolls are a playful and nostalgic reminder of travel through Japan’s scenic San’in region.
