Tanegashima

Tanegashima, along with the neighboring Yakushima Island, is part of the Taneyaku archipelago, located at the northernmost end of the so-called "tropical Japan," that is to say the remote islands in the south-west of Japan renowned for their tropical landscapes and turquoise water beaches 🏖, like Okinawa.

Access is easy from Kagoshima, from where daily boat and plane ✈️ connections are available. One of the fastest ways is ferry ⛴️, such as High-speed jetfoils "Toppy" or "Rocket" giving the impression of surfing at the surface of the water.

Of an approximate 445 km² superficies, Tanegashima’s narrow land stretches north to south, and is divided into 3 towns:

• Nishinoomote in the north, where sailing visitors disembark;
• Nakatane at the center, with the local airport; and,
• Minamitane in the south, also known as the Japanese town located closest to the stars (about 100 km), famously home to JAXA’s largest space rocket launching site.

Part of Tanegashima’s popularity stems from the latest town, as amateurs can visit the space center from which most of Japanese rockets are launched. Launching events are also opened to the public provided planning a visit in advance and checking the yearly launching calendar. The Tanegashima Space Art Light Festival, an art fair staged in winter near the launching pad, is also part of its fame. Here, thanks to the absence of light pollution, the pristine sky of Tanegashima allows for a wonderful stargazing experience.

Beaches and tropical sceneries in the south of Kagoshima

Locals love the island to spend a summer vacation, as the destination is made attractive by:

• Popular surfing spots, such as Todai Shita (灯台下) and Kanehama Coast (鉄浜海岸);
• Sacred places of yoga: Urata Beach, also Tenjogakura and Sunset Line in Nishinoomote that have been certified Yoga no seichi (ヨガの聖地);
• Marine caves and rock formations: Chikura no Iwaya / Grotto (千座の岩屋), Elephant Rock, Otatsu-Metatsu Rocks;
• A small and unique tropical forest called in English Ota Hego Forest (ヘゴ自生群落); and,
• Its mangrove (種子島マングローブパーク) that can be cruised on a paddle or a kayak.

The abundant nature on its coastline attracts vacationists looking for exceptional views to relax. On a side note, the island is rather flat, without much steepness. It offers panoramic vantage points at its northernmost and southernmost ends, near Kishigasaki lighthouse and Cape Kadokura, and at the top of Kiorizaka hill.

As for gastronomy, sweet potatoes (especially the Anno Imo and Murasaki Imo species) and Koshihikari rice are grown on Tanegashima. Banana plantations even border rice fields. Each of the island’s 3 towns produce their own sweet potato 🍠 shochu liquor that can be enjoyed there. Local farms also produce chicken and pork meat, and the small blue fish kibinago, caught in the surrounding waters, is served fresh in sashimi slices or fried in tempura fritters.

Place of introduction of the 1rst firearms in the archipelago

Let’s end Tanegashima’s introduction with some history trivia. The island has been inhabited since prehistoric times, a period documented at Hirota Site, an archaeological museum located near the Space Center.

The wreckage of Portuguese ships off Tanegashima’s southern coast in 1543 was a turning point in Japan’s history: the stranded cargo contained black powder riffles and pistols that became the first firearms introduced on the Japanese territory. They will later be used in the famous Battle of Sekigahara (October 1600) after which the Tokugawa shogunate was established.

The Tanegashima Kaihatsu Sogo Center / Teppokan (or "arquebus museum") in Nishinoomote is certainly an interesting cultural discovery of the island. Nearby, stands Gessou-tei, a former Edo period (1603 – 1868) that was converted into a traditional tea house.

Tanegashima is a seaside and tropical destination little known from foreign tourists. The accommodation range available is rather good but not luxury, including 3-stars hotels, minshuku guest houses and bungalows to rent in summer. We recommend the Iwasaki Hotel 🏨, located in the southern part of the island in Minamitane. The Iwasaki brand also owns hotels in Yakushima and Ibusuki, and can offer convenient bases when spending a few days in the south of Kagoshima prefecture.