It is hard to believe that it has already been over a year since my family trip to Japan in May 2025. Time really does fly and I still find myself looking back on those wonderful memories.
As always, I spent my time doing what I love most whenever I visit Japan: seeing my grandma, catching up with my aunt and cousins, eating my beloved pancakes, shopping, getting a haircut, enjoying delicious Japanese food and simply appreciating everyday life. Those ordinary moments are always the ones that stay with me the longest. This trip also gave me the chance to finally visit Mitaki-en after accidentally going there on one of its closing days during my previous visit. We also went on a two-day trip to Shimane Prefecture, which I will cover in my next blog post.
This blog post is a little throwback to that wonderful trip and highlights some of the things you can do in and around Tottori.
From Zurich to Tokyo
Every journey has a story before it even begins – and this trip was no exception. My journey started in Zurich, where I was originally supposed to fly with Finnair via Helsinki to Tokyo. I still remember booking this trip so clearly. My original plan had actually been to fly together with my mum on a direct Swiss flight to Tokyo. Unfortunately, my mum had already booked her ticket while I was busy making plans with my best friend. I simply saw her message too late. At first, I did not think much of it. I thought I would wait a little before booking my own ticket, hoping that the price might go down again. Well… it never did. Instead, the direct flight became more and more expensive until it eventually cost well over CHF 2k. In the end, I decided to book a flight with Finnair instead.
Just a few days before departure, another surprise awaited me: my flight from Zurich to Helsinki was cancelled. Thankfully, Finnair quickly rebooked me via Frankfurt. It added a little bit of stress before the trip, but everything worked out smoothly in the end. Looking back, there was actually one unexpected advantage compared to the direct Swiss flight. I arrived at Tokyo Haneda Airport instead of Narita. Since my connecting flight to Tottori also departed from Haneda, I did not have to transfer between airports, which made the journey much easier after such a long flight. Sometimes things do not go according to plan, but somehow they work out even better.
Enjoying Everyday Life in Tottori
Whenever people ask me what I actually do in Tottori, my answer is always the same: I simply enjoy everyday life. Most of my time was spent shopping, meeting relatives, eating delicious food and appreciating all the little things that make Japan feel so special to me. One thing I had been looking forward to ever since leaving Switzerland was Japanese Shokupan, haha! I absolutely love Japanese bread. It may just be toast, but somehow it tastes so much better.
One of the biggest changes compared to my previous visit was Tottori Station. Last time, it was still under renovation, but during this trip it had partially received a fresh new look featuring Sandshrew and Alolan Sandshrew, the official Pokémon Ambassadors of Tottori Prefecture. They were everywhere around the station, and as a Pokémon fan, I absolutely loved seeing them. The station itself was still undergoing further renovations, which were completed later in autumn 2025. I will happily show you the finished station once I finally get around to writing about my 2026 travel diary. As you probably already know by now, that may still take me a while lol.
There were also so many fun collaborations happening during my visit. Baskin Robbins had an amazing One Piece collaboration with some really cool limited-edition ice creams. At the same time, Gosho Aoyama-san had just released the newest Detective Conan movie, so advertisements were literally everywhere. At Kura Sushi, on snack packages, in supermarkets, at convenience stores and even at McDonald’s. I also spotted the Detective Conan train at Tottori Station. I always get excited over these little seasonal events whenever I visit Japan.
Of course, another highlight was visiting Oenosato Natural Farm for my favourite pancakes. They are still, without a doubt, the best pancakes I have ever eaten in my life. Luckily, it was strawberry season again, making them even more irresistible.
This trip also included a family gathering to remember my grandfather. In Japan, families often come together to share a meal in remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. This year, we all agreed that it would be our final gathering. It felt bittersweet, but I am grateful that we could spend that time together.
☆ Oenosato Natural Farm (Cafe Coco Garden)
ココガーデン | 大江ノ郷自然牧場
877 Hashimoto, Yazu, Yazu District, Tottori 680-0414, Japan
+81 570-077-505
https://www.oenosato.com/resorts/
▼ For more details and a complete review, visit my blog post here ▼
mihoshappylife.com/2020/03/25/oenosato-cocogarden-pancake/
Mitaki-en – A Hidden Mountain Village Straight Out of a Ghibli Movie
Last year, I finally made it to Mitaki-en! If you have read my previous travel diary, you might remember that I accidentally visited on one of their regular closing days. They are closed every Tuesday and Wednesday, so this time we made sure to double-check the opening hours beforehand. Coincidentally, my second cousin was also in Tottori, so she joined us for a visit to Kotori no Café Quince. We had not made a reservation, so we added our names to the waiting list. Looking back, that actually turned out to be the perfect situation because it gave us plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings.
Mitaki-en is a beautifully preserved traditional mountain village hidden in the forests of Chizu. The area is known for its charming thatched-roof houses, peaceful walking paths, streams and beautiful natural scenery. Visitors can experience traditional rural Japan while enjoying seasonal local dishes prepared with fresh regional ingredients. Walking through the forest, listening to the river, breathing in the fresh mountain air and simply slowing down was exactly what I needed. It felt like stepping into a Studio Ghibli movie.
Although we only visited the café this time, the traditional countryside lunch looked absolutely delicious. It is a little more expensive, but it is definitely something I would love to try next time.
Travel tip: Mitaki-en is located about a 20-minute taxi ride from Chizu Station, so it is very much “inaka” (rural Japan). Having a car is definitely an advantage, as getting there by public transportation can be quite challenging.
☆ Mitaki-en & Kotori no Café Quince
2 Chome-1-1 Yonehara, Yonago, Tottori 683-0804
Tel. +81 (0)858-753-665
ashidumitakien.jp
Opening Hours
Daily 10:00 – 16:00
Closed: Tuesday & Wednesday
To be safe, please doublecheck the opening hours here
Reservation recommended (for lunch)
Japan Expo Osaka 2025
Yes… it has already been a year since Japan Expo Osaka! Where does the time go?
I had a great time exploring the event, browsing the different booths and simply enjoying the atmosphere. There was so much to see and I really enjoyed spending the day there. It was a fun experience and another lovely memory from this trip.
☆ Flashback to Japan Expo Osaka 2025. Read the full story here ▼
mihoshappylife.com/2025/07/13/japan-osaka-kansai-expo-2025/
A Two-Day Trip to Shimane
Another highlights of this trip was our two-day family getaway to Shimane Prefecture. We visited the famous Izumo Taisha Shrine, the stunning Adachi Museum of Art, and the beautiful Yuushien Garden. My mum also really wanted to visit the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum. If you are not familiar with Lafcadio Hearn, he was a writer and journalist who introduced Japanese culture, folklore and ghost stories to readers around the world. Around the time of our visit, NHK’s morning drama also focused on his life, which made the museum an even more interesting place for my mum to visit.
I will not go into too much detail here because Shimane truly deserves its own dedicated blog post. So stay tuned! I cannot wait to share all the highlights, beautiful gardens, delicious food and unforgettable moments from our two-day adventure in Shimane in my next travel diary ^_^
Miho's Happy Life 