The Chizukyuko Line (Super Hakuto Limited Express) for Tottori & Kurayoshi

The Chizukyuko Line is a semi-public railway line run by the Chizu Express Company between Kamigori Station in Hyogo Prefecture and Chizu Station in Tottori Prefecture.

The Super Hakuto Limited Express is a service that connects Kyoto Station with Tottori Station and Kurayoshi Station in Tottori Prefecture via the Chizukyuko Line.

Super Hakuto route map

On Kyoto Station signage this route is referred to as the Chizukyuko Line although the train also follows JR rail lines both before and after following the Chizukyuko Line proper. As the Super Hakuto is jointly run by JR West and the Chizu Express Company, it is not fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, and a supplementary fee will have to be paid for the Chizukyuko section of your journey. At the time of writing the supplementary fees for this section are as follows:

Non-reserved seats: 1,750 yen
Reserved seats: 1,850 yen
Green Car seats (1st class): 2,380 yen

Trains leave from platforms 6 and 7 in Kyoto Station.

Key Destinations

You are most likely to take the Super Hakuto to travel to Tottori Prefecture as it is the fastest train to travel there from stations in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. The journey time from Kyoto Station to Tottori Station is around 3 hours. From Osaka Station it takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, and from Sannomiya Station in Kobe around 2 hours and 15 minutes. Train times vary according to the number of the train.

The Super Hakuto stops at the following stations en route:

Kyoto – Shin-Osaka – Osaka – Sannomiya – Akashi – Himeji – Kamigori – Sayo – Ohara – Chizu – Koge – Tottori – Kurayoshi

Of these you are most likely to visit the following locations.

Tottori Station

Among Tottori city’s many attractions are its castle ruins, the Jinpukaku – a French style mansion, Tottori Hot Spring, and Hakuto Beach. The city is most famous for its ancient sand dunes however, which cover a huge area on the coast and feature camel rides and a sand museum.

• Train Fare: 7550 yen
• Train Time: 3 hours approx

Kurayoshi Station

Kurayoshi city is known for the traditional buildings of the Shirakabe Dozogun area. These kura, or warehouses, date from the Edo and Meiji periods, and are famous for their white plaster walls with burnt black cedar paneling and red tiled roofs. Many of these buildings have been renovated and converted into craft shops, galleries and cafes.

• Train Fare: 8530 yen
• Train Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes approx

Exploring Tottori Prefecture

Both Tottori and Kurayoshi stations are good jumping off points for exploring the rest of Tottori Prefecture. Here are some other destinations you might like to visit.

Mount Daisen, is a popular hiking destination 30 minute’s drive from Yonago city. From either Tottori Station or Kurayoshi Station you can take the Sanin Line to Yonago Station, and from there take a bus or taxi. Check the Daisen Guide site for access details.

Sakaiminato is the home town of famed manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. The town has both a Shigeru Mizuki Museum and a Mizuki Shigeru Road, which features 153 statues of his most famous characters. Take the Sanin Line to Yonago Station and then transfer to the Sakai Line for Sakaiminato Station.

Misasa Onsen is famous for the therapeutic benefits of its mineral-rich hot spring baths. From the south exit of Kurayoshi Station take a number 3 bus to Misasa. The journey takes 25 minutes and costs 470 yen.

Timetable

Please note that Express numbers #9 and #13 both finish at Tottori Station and don’t continue to Kurayoshi. To find departure times from other stations en route use the JR West Timetable and Fare Finder.

TIME	TRAIN	DESTINATION	PLATFORM
7.06	Super Hakuto Limited Express #1	Kurayoshi	6
8.50	Super Hakuto Limited Express #3	Kurayoshi	6
10.54	Super Hakuto Limited Express #5	Kurayoshi	7
12.52	Super Hakuto Limited Express #7	Kurayoshi	7
14.52	Super Hakuto Limited Express #9	Tottori	7
16.56	Super Hakuto Limited Express #11	Kurayoshi	7
19.35	Super Hakuto Limited Express #13	Tottori	7

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.