The highly anticipated 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo is already making waves across western Japan, with its economic and cultural influence extending far beyond the host city. A prime example of this burgeoning “Expo effect” is the Tottori Sand Museum, which has reported a remarkable increase in attendance, signaling a new era for regional tourism.
A Landmark Year for the Sand Museum
The museum recently concluded its “Travel the World in Sand – Japan” exhibition, drawing a staggering 441,386 visitors. This figure represents an impressive increase of approximately 60,000 people compared to the previous exhibition period. The success of this theme, which resonated with both domestic and international visitors, has generated an estimated economic ripple effect of 12.54 billion yen for the region.
The Driving Forces Behind the Boom
Analysis of the visitor data reveals two key trends directly linked to the upcoming Expo. Firstly, the number of foreign tourists visiting the museum soared by a notable 33%. This suggests that international travelers, likely planning future trips for the Expo, are already exploring destinations within easy reach of the Kansai area.
Secondly, there was a 5.5% rise in visitors from the Kansai region itself. This indicates a growing trend among residents and tourists based in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe to venture out on day trips and short stays to discover the unique attractions of neighboring prefectures. Tottori, accessible from Osaka in under three hours by express train, is perfectly positioned to benefit from this shift in travel patterns.
The Future of Regional Tourism in the Expo Era
This surge in Tottori is not an isolated phenomenon but a preview of what’s to come. The Osaka-Kansai Expo is expected to act as a major hub, encouraging a “hub-and-spoke” model of tourism. Visitors will use Osaka as their base while exploring the diverse cultural, natural, and culinary offerings of the wider Kansai and Chugoku regions.
Destinations like the Tottori Sand Dunes, the historic town of Kurashiki in Okayama, or the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea are poised to capture this expanded tourist flow. This presents a golden opportunity for local economies to showcase their unique charm to a global audience. For travelers, it means the 2025 Expo experience can be enriched by discovering the hidden gems that lie just a train ride away from the main event.
What’s Next: A Journey to Spain
Looking ahead, the Tottori Sand Museum is preparing to launch its next major exhibition in April, this time taking visitors on a sandy journey to Spain. With the momentum from the Japan-themed exhibition and the ever-increasing spotlight on the region, the upcoming display is expected to draw even larger crowds, further solidifying the museum’s status as a must-visit destination in the run-up to the 2025 Expo.
