Tanegashima (種子島) is an island in Kagoshima prefecture, south of Kyushu.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Tanegashima has two claims to fame. In 1543, Portuguese explorer Mendes Pinto found his way there and introduced firearms to the Japanese, and for a long time thereafter arquebuses were known as tanegashima in Japanese. These days, though, the main attraction is Tanegashima Space Center, JAXA's main spaceport. #tanetabi is the local tourist association's multilingual guide site.
Due to its size and rural nature, there is not much public transport infrastructure on the island. As such, the easiest way to get around Tanegashima is to bring or rent a car. Contact information for taxi (タクシー) and rental car (レンタカー) companies is here. Sun Marine Bus (さんまりんバス). (updated Mar 2024) Nakatane community bus. (updated Dec 2016)
1 Space Museum, Tanegashima Space Center (種子島宇宙センター), Mazu, Kukinaga, Minamitane-cho, ☏ +81-997-26-9244. Daily 09:30-17:00, Jul-Aug 09:30-17:30; closed M-Tu after long weekends and Dec 29-Jan 1. Japan's largest spaceport. Free exhibits and guided tours three times daily (reservations required). No entry during launch days, but there are designated viewing points around the perimeter. Free. (updated Apr 2022) 2 Chikura Caverns (千座の岩屋). White sand beach with caves that can be entered at low tide. There are picnic tables at the edge of the beach. There are a couple food stands and drink machines. free.
Tanegashima is a well known destination for surfers in Japan.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Tanegashima typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 11 rainy days.
Flight prices are real fares travellers found in the last 48 hours, refreshed daily — the booking site confirms the final price. Train, bus and ferry fares are shown on the operators' booking sites. Weather data by Open-Meteo; exchange rates: ECB reference. Data updated 2026-08-03. Some links earn Stayonomy a commission at no cost to you.
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