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The next stop will be Tottori Airport... Are we leaving Tottori so soon?
Of course not! Tottori Prefecture has two main airports – Tottori
Airport in Tottori City, and Yonago Airport located on the border
between Sakaiminato and Yonago cities. What is most special is that both
airports have anime themes. The Tottori Airport we are at now is themed
around 'Detective Conan' (名探偵コナン,
or named 'Case Closed'), and even has an official nickname
– Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport (鳥取砂丘コナン空港). |
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(This article will contain some references to the story background and
characters of 'Detective Conan'. If you already know them, you
may skip the parts marked in orange.) |
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'Detective Conan' is a very popular mystery comic and animation in Asia.
It was renamed 'Case Closed' in North America. The primary
reason was to avoid legal issues with other properties that used
the name 'Conan', most notably 'Conan the Barbarian', which was
already a well-established brand in the US. |
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It tells the story of a brilliant high
school student, Jimmy Kudo (工藤 新一, originally KUDÔ Shin'ichi
in Japanese), who often helps the police solve difficult cases. One day,
while following some 'suspicious individuals', he is forced by the Black
Organization (黒ずくめの組織) to take a mysterious poison called APTX-4869, intended to
kill him. Jimmy does not die, but instead 'regresses' to the appearance
of a primary school child. He later adopts the alias Conan Edogawa (江戸川
コナン) and continues investigating the background
of the Black Organization, searching for an antidote to return to his
high school body, while secretly assisting the police in solving
cases... |
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Terminals of Tottori Airport |
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The 'Tottori Sand Dunes Conan Airport' sign in
Japanese at the International Terminal main entrance |
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Conan illustrations can also be seen outside
the terminal |
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A location map of Conan snap spots at the
terminal entrance |
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The time we came to the airport for sightseeing, not to catch a flight!
Tottori Aiport has a total of 900 parking spaces. The Car Park No.1
directly facing the terminals alone has 787 spaces, and it is free of
charge – there is absolutely no need to worry about parking. If you are
not driving, you can take the Airport Limousine Bus from Tottori
Station, which cost JP¥480, but there are only
five return services per day. Alternatively, you can take JR to
Tottori Daigaku Mae station (鳥取大学前駅, literally
'Tottori University gateway') for JP¥190, followed by a 20-25 minute
walk. A taxi from Tottori Station costs about JP¥3,000, while from
Tottori Daigaku Mae Station it is around JP¥1,500. |
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At the terminal entrance there is a station map specially designed for
Conan snap spots, so you do not have to wander around blindly inside the
terminal, and Conan fans will not miss any of them. Tottori Airport has
two terminal buildings – the Domestic Terminal (officially called the
Passenger Terminal) and the International Terminal (formally named
Tottori Airport International Meeting Hall, 鳥取空港国際会館).
The two buildings are internally connected. Facing the terminal from the
car park, the domestic side is on the left and the international side on
the right. Most of the Conan snap spots are located within the
international area. |
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Captain Conan and flight attendant Rachel |
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Conan introducing Tottori attractions |
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It is actually quite normal that these are placed in the International
Terminal – not because they are meant to attract overseas visitors, but
because the International Terminal does not normally operate at all! At
present, Tottori Airport only has five pairs of scheduled daily flights
to and from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). Apart from that...
there is nothing else! This is also why there are only five daily bus
services between the city and the airport – they are simply timed to
match these flights. Since the terminal only occasionally handles
unscheduled international charter flights, it is not even called a
'terminal', but rather an 'International Meeting Hall'. |
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The predecessor of Tottori Airport was the municipal Tottori Airfield,
located about 500 metres south of the present airport. It opened in 1957
and closed in 1964. The current airport opened in 1967, established and
operated by Tottori prefectural authority. International charter
operations began in 1990. On 1st March 2015, in order to raise its
profile, the airport adopted a nickname combining the nearby scenic
attraction – the Tottori Sand Dunes – and the famous work 'Detective
Conan' by Tottori-born comic artist AOYAMA Gôshô (青山 剛昌).
As a result, the phrase '愛稱化 10 周年' (10th
Anniversary of Nickname Adoption) can now be seen throughout the
airport. |
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Dr Herschel Agasa's inventions |
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Although I like mystery and detective stories, I am not a devoted
'Detective Conan' fan. I watch it occasionally, but not with great
enthusiasm. By comparison, I prefer 'The Kindaichi Case Files' (金田一少年の事件簿),
as well as the works of novelist HIGASHINO Keigo (東野 圭吾,
most people would probably recognise the 'Galileo series'). 'Conan'
contains more science-fiction elements, such as secret organisations and
drugs, and gadgets, whereas 'Kindaichi' and Higashino's stories are
closer to reality, relying purely on physical evidence and logical
deduction to solve mysteries. |
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Speaking of Conan's gadgets, one cannot fail to mention Dr Herschel
Agasa (阿笠博士, orginally AGASA Hiroshi in Japanese).
He was the first person to learn Conan
Edogawa's true identity, and has continuously assisted him by inventing
and producing equipment – jus like Q in the James Bond films. At
the airport there is also a corner displaying Agasa's inventions. Some
are physical props, such as the Voice-Changing Bowtie, Turbo Engine
Skateboard, and Power-Enhancing Kick Shoes. Others that are difficult to
recreate physically are shown through illustrations. |
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Scene – Café Poirot, with 'waiter' Toru
Amuro
and customer Richard Moore |
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There are many Conan-themed scenes throughout the airport, including
Café Poirot (喫茶ポアロ).
After Jimmy becomes Conan, Dr Agasa arranges for him to stay with Jimmy's childhood friend (later girlfriend) Rachel Moore (毛利 蘭,
originally MÔRI Ran in Japanese). Rachel's father is the private
detective Richard Moore (毛利 小五郎, originally MÔRI
Kogorô in Japanese). When solving cases, Conan often uses his Stun-Gun
Wristwatch to knock Richard unconscious, then uses the Voice-Changing
Bowtie to reveal the truth while pretending to be him. This indirectly
brings Richard great fame, earning him the nickname 'Sleeping Moore'
(眠りの小五郎). |
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the Moore residence and Moore Detective Agency is Café Poirot,
which Richard frequents. AMURO Tôru (安室 透)
appears to be a café waiter and an aspiring private detective
wishing to learn from Richard. In reality, he is an undercover
agent of Public Security Police (公安警察,
similar to investigators of MI5 in the UK). His real name is
FURUYA Rei (降谷 零). He was dispatches by
the Security Planning Division of the National Police Agency
Security Bureau (警察庁警備局警備企画課)
to infiltrate the Black Organization, eventually becoming a
senior member under the codename 'Bourbon'. |
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Conan souvenir shop – Conan Detective Agency
Skygate Shop |
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A huge anamorphic illusion artwork – what you
see from the designated viewing point |
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This is how it actually looks from above! |
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As a Conan-themed airport, it naturally has a Conan souvenir shop!
Located in a corner on the ground floor beside the Café Poirot scene is
the 'Conan Detective Agency Skygate Shop', which sells only Detective
Conan merchandise. Outside he shop there is a photo sticker booth. Each
session costs JP¥600 and includes a set of four-fame photo, one still
image, and a short video clip. |
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In the International Meeting Hall atrium –the Conan Hall – there is a
huge anamorphic illusion painting on the floor. This artwork is changed
from time to time. The current one shows the Junior Detective League (少年探偵団)
together with Osaka's Harley Hartwell (服部 平次,
originally HATTORI Heiji in Japanese) and TÔYAMA Kazuha (遠山 和葉),
as well as three famous Tottori specialities – watermelon, pears, and
snow crab – set against the backdrop of the Tottori Sand Dunes. Like
Jimmy Kudo, Harley Hartwell is also a brilliant high school detective,
known as 'Hartwell of the West, Kudo of the East' (西の服部
東の工藤). TOYAMA Kazuha is
Harley's childhood friend (later girlfriend), making them essentially
the Kansai version of Jimmy and Rachel. |
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Scarlet Territory –
scene of AKAI Shûichi |
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Taking the escalator to the second floor, there is another scene in the
far corner – Scarlet Territory, themed around AKAI Shûichi (赤井
秀一). Akai is an elite FBI sniper and a key figure in the 'Scarlet
series', having infiltrated the Black Organization on behelf of the US.
Although both he and Amuro are undercover agents investigating the Black
Organization, they initially did not know each other's identities. This
led Amuro to mistakenly believe that Akai had killed fellow Japanese
undercover agent MOROFUSHI Hiromitsu (諸伏 景光),
resulting in deep hostility. After Akai's identity was exposed, Amuro
even attempted to hunt him down in order to gain the organisation's
trust. |
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As Akai is a sniper, the theme of Scarlet Territory recreates a metal
platform outside a red-brick building, dimly lit like a back alley – a
typical high-level surveillance or assassination spot. Behind him is
clearly a long sniper rifle case. |
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Multiple Conan illustrations on the wall |
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Including Jimmy's parents (top right) |
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On the second-floor of atrium there is a Conan's character wall listing
all characters who have appeared in Detective Conan, including Jimmy's
parents – Booker Kudo (工藤 優作, originally KUDÔ
Yûsaku in Japanese) and Vivian Kudo (工藤 有希子,
originally KUDÔ Yukiko). In the story, Booker is a world-famous mystery
novelist. According to Conan, his father's reasoning and investigative
ability surpass even his own. In his youth, he frequently helped
Inspector Joseph Meguire (目暮 十三, originally
MEGURE Jûzô) solve difficult cases, building strong connections with
both the Japanese police and Interpol. |
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Vivian Kudo, who maiden name is Fujimine (藤峰),
was once a globally popular film star. She retired at the age of
20 after marrying Booker. She is skilled in disguise, once
taking the alias EDOGAWA Fumiyo (江戸川 文代)
and continuing to play Conan's mother at his primary school. She
and Booker had long resided in Los Angeles. During Jimmy's high
school years he was effectively left to live alone in Japan,
with Dr Agasa asked to look after him. However, following
Jimmy's regression into a child, they returned to Japan. |
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Children's play area at the airport |
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More Conan artwork, including one featuring
Conan and Kaito Kid |
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Besides the Conan souvenir shop, there are of
course regular local speciality shops |
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While sorting my photos, I realised I had missed photographing the
statue of Kaitô Kid (怪盗キッド,
literally 'Phantom Thief Kid'). It is somewhat hidden, located above a
glass door at one of the entrances. The statue shows his iconic gliding
descent from above, white cape fluttering, landing on one foot while
surveying from a concealed height. Kaitô Kid's real name is KUROBA Kaito
(黒羽 快斗), son of the original Kaitô Kid, KUROBA
Toichi (黒羽 盗一). Apart from differences in
personality and hairstyle, he hears an uncanny resemblance to Jimmy –
even Rachel Moore struggles to tell them apart. When disguising himself
as Jimmy, he does not need any make-up. |
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There is a reason for their similar appearance: Kaito's father Tôichi
and Jimmy's father Booker are actually twin brothers. Due to their
parents' divorce, Booker took his mother's surname. Although he is a
'phantom thief' who targets expensive artworks, his thefts are purely to
demonstrate his abilities and expose security flaws. He never causes
casualties, and most stolen items are returned or given to those in
greater need. Thus he is known as the 'kind-hearted thief'. Kaito
discovered Conan's true identity early on. The two are both rivals and
allies – enemies on the surface, yet willing to help each other when
necessary. |
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Besides the Conan snap spots, the airport also has normal facilities
such as a children's play area, restaurants, and souvenir shops. It is
truly impressive that an airport with such low usage can be transformed
into a tourist attraction! |
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The recently popular 'miracle insoles' in Hong
Kong |
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Today's itinerary finished earlier than expected. After visiting Tottori
Airport, we could have returned to the hotel for a short rest. However,
since we still had time, we decided to look for a pair of the recently
popular 'miracle insoles' in Hong Kong (not a sponsored promotion!).
When travelling, one naturally walks more than usual. Insoles that
improve rebound support can only be beneficial. After checking the
official website for physical retailers, we eventually found a shop
called
Shoes Island Tottori Yoshinari Store (シューズ愛ランド 鳥取吉成店). |
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These insoles are not much cheaper in Japan than in Hong Kong. The
current price in Japan is JP¥2,640, while LOG-ON in Hong Kong sells them
for HK$148 – less than HK$20 difference. Still, Todd and I each bought a
pair because we could use them immediately. These half-length insoles
were originally designed for flat feet, providing better arch support
and reducing pressure. For ordinary users, they also enhance rebound
under the foot, making walking feel easier. |
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The car park shared by tonight's yakiniku
restaurant – Gyuoh |
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Yakiniku Gyuoh Tottori Main Branch |
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'Youth Cola'
by INABA COLA – JP¥500 |
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After buying the insoles, we returned to the hotel for a short rest.
About an hour and a half later (18:30), we set off for dinner. Tonight's
meal was yakiniku at Yakiniku Gyuoh Tottori Main Branch
(焼肉牛王 鳥取本店). Since I had planned this trip four
months in advance and then left it untouched, I had actually forgotten
parts of it! Yesterday Todd asked me which day we were having yakiniku,
and I replied, 'Are we having yakiniku?!' Only after checking the
itinerary did I realise it was today. |
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It takes
less
than 15 minutes to walk from the hotel to the restaurant, but the
shop provides parking (three spaces beside the building and another
affiliated car park with eleven spaces). The spaces beside the shop
are free. The affiliated car park normally costs JP¥100 per 50 minutes
on weekdays, and JP¥100 per 90 minutes on weekends and public holidays.
During lunch you receive a JP¥100 parking voucher, while at dinner the
voucher amount corresponds to your dining time. In the end, we decided
it was simpler just to drive. |
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Perhaps it was still early, as the restaurant was not very busy when we
arrived. This is not an all-you-can-eat place – each plate is charged
separately. We first ordered drinks. On the menu there was something
called 'Youth Cola' (青春コーラ),
which intrigued us, so we ordered it. It tastes nothing like ordinary
cola! It is actually a mocktail made from honey, lemon juice, Tottori
pear juice, and various spices, produced by local craft cola maker INABA
COLA. |
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Tottori Wagyu – tongue tip and tongue root –
JP¥2,000 |
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Todd's favourite kimchi – JP¥500 |
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Manyô beef rare cuts platter – sirloin,
shoulder roll, premium lean, flank rib, and oyster blade –
JP¥6,500 |
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Daisen pork belly (JP¥900) and Daisen Vienna
sausage (JP¥800) |
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Five-variety offal platter – heart, liver, aota,
tongue tip, and tripe – JP¥3,500 |
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Many people have heard of the 'Top 3 Wagyu Beef' – Matsusaka beef from
Mie Prefecture, Tajima beef from Hyôgo Prefecture (including Kobe beef
and Sanda beef), and Ômi beef from Shiga Prefecture (or Yonezawa beef
from Yamagata Prefecture). However, few have probably heard of Tottori
beef. In ancient times, Tottori was already an important centre for
cattle and horse breeding. What many may not realise is that the
ancestor of modern Wagyu – the bull named Ketaka – actually originated
from Tottori. Ketaka was bred at the Tottori Prefectural Livestock
Research Center and won first prize at the inaugural National Wagyu
Competency Exhibition in 1966 (held every five years). He later produced
more than 9,000 offspring. |
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Even the three great Wagyu lines are descendants of Tottori cattle.
Since their production areas are located near major domestic and
international cities or transport hubs, they gained fame more easily.
Tottori, being relatively remote, found it difficult to reach wider
markets. Moreover, Tottori traditionally focused on breeding stud cattle
and calves, which were then sold to farms in other regions – including
the famous Wagyu areas – for further breeding and fattening. In recent
years, Tottori has also begun raising beef cattle itself, with notable
brands including Tottori Wagyu and Manyô Beef. |
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Both Tottori Wagyu and Manyô Beef share one common philosophy – they do
not blindly pursue heavy marbling, but instead aim for a balance between
fat and lean meat. Tottori Wagyu even uses the 'Oleic 55' standard,
meaning the fat must contain at least 55% oleic acid, giving it a rich
aroma without greasiness. Compared with Kobe beef, I personally find
Manyô Beef has a stronger meaty flavour, sitting somewhere between Kobe
beef and Korean Hanwoo (한우). After
finishing the yakiniku dinner, it was of course time to return to the
hotel to rest and pack our luggage. Tomorrow we would be leaving Tottori
City... |
Click here for English Version 正一非常喜歡自駕遊。要合法在外國駕駛，首先需要「國際駕駛許可證...
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