Tanegashima

Tanegashima, part of the Ōsumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, is roughly 445 km² and home to about 33,000 people. The terrain is mostly flat, peaking at just 282 m. It lies about 115 km south of Kagoshima and 40 km east of Yakushima, boasting a humid subtropical climate.

Space & History

Tanegashima Space Center: Japan’s largest rocket-launch facility, spanning nearly 10 million m². Established in 1969 and run by JAXA, it handles satellite assembly, testing, tracking, and launches. The site features guided tours and a free space museum with full-size rocket replicas.
Gun History: Portuguese firearms first landed in Japan here in 1543. The Teppokan Gun Museum, shaped like a ship, displays antique firearms and related documents.

Nature & Marine Life

Beaches & Marine Sports: Beaches like Nagahama, Urada, and Kumano offer swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, fishing, kayaking, SUP, and packrafting. Loggerhead turtles also nest here.
Sea Caves & Mangroves: The southeast coast features dramatic sea caves such as Chikura Cavern. Tanegashima also marks Japan’s northern mangrove limit.
Tropical Forest Bathing: Forests of tall ferns offer peaceful nature walks and relaxation.

Outdoor & Culture

Cycle Routes: The “Tanegashima Route” is a 160 km coastal loop with ocean views and sugarcane fields.
Marathon & Events: The annual “Rocket Marathon” celebrates the island’s space legacy in March.

Access & Transport

Air: Flights from New Tanegashima Airport to Kagoshima take about 30 minutes.
Ferry: Jet ferry (~1.5 hours) and car ferry (~3 hours 40 minutes) are available from Kagoshima.
Island Transit: Renting a car is recommended. Buses run hourly (07:00–18:00); passes are available. Scooters and bikes are also common.

Food & Local Flavors

Anno Potato: A sweet yam unique to the island, used in many local sweets.
Seafood & Metalwork: Tanegashima is known for fresh seafood and artisan-made knives used by chefs and bonsai masters.