Tanegashima Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

Tanegashima, an island located in the Kagoshima region of Japan, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Known for its stunning beaches, lush forests, and rich history, Tanegashima offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

One of the must-see attractions on the island is the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan's primary spaceport and the site of numerous successful satellite launches. Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility, learn about the history of space exploration in Japan, and even witness a rocket launch if timing allows.

History enthusiasts will also enjoy exploring the island's traditional Japanese architecture and artifacts. The Tanegashima Museum is home to a fascinating collection of artifacts related to the island's role in Japan's history, including the introduction of firearms by Portuguese traders in the 16th century. Additionally, the Chikura Shrine, with its picturesque torii gate set against the backdrop of the ocean, offers a serene and spiritual experience for visitors.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Tanegashima's beautiful beaches and lush forests provide ample opportunities for hiking, snorkeling, and beachcombing. Nagahama Beach is particularly popular for its clear blue waters and white sand, making it an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing. Meanwhile, the Yakusugi Land forest reserve is home to ancient cedar trees, some over 1,000 years old, and offers stunning hiking trails for nature enthusiasts.

Local name: 種子島 Area: 171.54 mi²Maximum elevation: 925 ftArchipelago: Ōsumi IslandsCoordinates: 30°34'49"N, 130°58'34"E

Location

KagoshimaJapan

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Tanegashima Top Attractions

Tanegashima Attractions - What to See and Explore

Tanegashima offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Tanegashima Space Center, Nishinoomote, Yoshinobu Launch Complex, Kumage Subprefecture. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

30°24'0"N • 130°58'12"E
Tanegashima Space Center
The Tanegashima Space Center is the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan with a total area of about 9.7 square kilometers. It is located on the southeast coast of Tanegashima, an island approximately 40 kilometers south of Kyushu.
City
Nishinoomote
Nishinoomote is a city located on the island of Tanegashima, in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the city has an estimated population of 16,418 and a population density of 79.8 persons per km². The total area is 205.75 km².
30°24'8"N • 130°58'30"E
Yoshinobu Launch Complex
Yoshinobu Launch Complex is a rocket launch site at the Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima. The site and its collection of facilities were originally built for the H-II launch vehicle and later used for H-IIA and H-IIB launches.

Day trips

Tanegashima – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Tanegashima, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Kaimon (Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park), Mount Miyanoura (Yakushima National Park), Jōmon Sugi (Yakushima).

49 milesNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Mount Kaimon, Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park
Kaimondake, or Mount Kaimon, is an undissected volcano – consisting of a basal stratovolcano and a small central volcano, part of the Ibusuki field – which rises to a height of 924 metres above sea level near the city of Ibusuki in southern Kyūshū, Japan.
33 milesSW
Mountain
Mount Miyanoura, Yakushima National Park
Mount Miyanoura is a mountain in central Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture. At an altitude of 1,936 m, it is the highest peak of Yakushima and also the highest peak of the Kyushu region.
30 milesSW
Tree
Jōmon Sugi, Yakushima
Jōmon Sugi is a large Cryptomeria tree located on Yakushima, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Japan. It is the oldest and largest among the old-growth cryptomeria trees on the island, and is estimated to be between 2,170 and 7,200 years old.
48 milesNW
Museum, Art museum
Iwasaki Art Museum, Ibusuki
Iwasaki Art Museum opened in Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, in 1983. Located in the gardens of a resort hotel and designed by Fumihiko Maki, the Museum's collection includes works by Kuroda Seiki and Fujishima Takeji, as well as Western painters.
42 milesW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Kikai Caldera, Iōjima
Kikai Caldera is a massive, mostly submerged caldera up to 19 kilometres in diameter in the Ōsumi Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. It was the source of the Akahoya eruption, one of the largest eruptions during the Holocene.