The Tottori Sand Dunes have existed for approximately 100,000 years. They were formed by sediment from the Sea of Japan washing up onto shore and being blown into the dunes. Strong winds constantly rearrange the sand deposits, creating incredible desert-like formations that can reach heights of 90 meters. The unusual dunes draw an estimated two million visitors each year.
Another factoid: Ironically, they are being endangered because of reforestation...
(this photo via oddity central, was taken by Sasha, who has even more great photos at his Livejournal)
The reason this startled me is that one of the books I brought with me to the Philippines is Woman of the Dunes, by Kobo Abe, which is the story of a man caught at the bottom of a sand pit with a local woman. (it was one of the books I brought here to the Philippines). Silly me, I always thought the dunes were allegorical, not a well known spot in Japan...
It was made into a film that got a lot of awards. (you can watch it on Veoh...try not to fall alsleep)
I always assumed the dunes were in some vague foreign land, and a metaphor was about the desert of modern life (which is, of course, a common popular "theme" in the circles of the intelligencia)
However, the (left wing) UKGuardian discusses the "class warfare" background of the plot.
Check out this discussion of Japanese SciFi/fantasy that mentions Abe's stories.
and a Philippine interpretation can be read HERE, is more insightful:
The freedom that is presented in Woman in the Dunes is an allegorical ascent from physical to spiritual freedom. It portrays the gradual transformation of the main character, Jumpei, from the psychological process of denial to acceptance and, finally, from finding value and meaning amid his awful condition.
In doing so, he has discovered and found himself and his humanity, and his capability to care and love the very people who denied and took away his own physical freedom....
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