It’s thanks to Gosho Aoyama, the creator of the manga Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed) that we enjoy countless crimes, crime scene investigations, hopes for Conan to transform into his original form as Shinichi, and the Holmes fanatic staying in his true form forever. Because let’s admit it, we have that longing for Ran and Shinichi to have their happily ever after, right?
As a celebration for the popularity of the manga and anime, the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory is established in the town of Hokuei in Tottori Prefecture. In addition to that, a number of Detective Conan artefacts – bronze statues, stone monuments are built, and pavement signs and manholes are even inspired by the anime around town. To make your visit a memorable one, why not take the challenge of finding all of the relics?
Pass by the Conan Bridge and you will see a handful of Conan statues.
Go further the Conan Street, and you will find the Kudo Residence. Let Conan know you’re there by ringing the doorbell. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Explore into the Beika Shopping Street beside the Kudo Residence and try the Conan Gelato or warm yourself with a coffee in a Conan-themed cup! (More artifacts are found here!)
On your way in finding the last artifacts, you will surely pass by the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory – a museum established in honor of the man behind the world-renowned animation. At the museum, the professor’s car and the junior detective club will welcome you. Inside the museum is apparently 7 rooms where you can immerse yourself in the world of Case Closed. You can even use Conan’s bowtie voice changing experience and sound like Conan, imagine what it feels like to ride Conan’s skateboard and more!
This is your chance, aspiring Junior Detectives, Conan Edogawa is waiting for you!
Access:
From Tottori station, ride the San-In Line towards Yonago then alight at Yura Station (the one way ride takes approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes and costs 840 yen)
Tips:
- A taxi is available near Yura station which can show you around town and transport you to the museum.
- A discount in the museum will be given upon showing of passport or residence card!
- Hokuei town map is available in Tottori station / Yura station and you may take one for free
- Yura station tourist information center is open from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm. You can rent a bicycle for 400 yen and a more detailed guide map for 200 yen and coin lockers are available for 500 yen.
Click here for more info!
While it is possible to ride a camel, you can also just opt for a Photo Op with a camel for only 500 yen. The camel riding is inclusive of Photo Op for 1,300 for one person. A photographer will be present to take pictures from your device and in addition to that, he will also take another from his camera as a service. Claiming of the picture will be at Rakudaya Shop (らくだや) just across the Sand Dunes. The 3R size (or L size in Japan) of the photo will be given for free while the A5 size will be available too and it comes with a Camel-themed photo holder for 1,100 yen.
