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Island within Ōsumi Islands
Photo: Naritama (NARITA Masahiro), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tanegashima (種子島) is an island in Kagoshima prefecture, south of Kyushu. It is home to the Tanegashima Space Center, the premier space launch site of the country.
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種子島宇宙センター
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.
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.
竹崎海岸
Prominent platform with a great view of the launch site; great for launch days. Long, white sand beach with areas for snorkeling close to the east side. Restroom with changing area and place to rinse feet is available beside the free parking area. Covered picnic tables nearby on lawn of space center.
門倉岬
Cape overlooking the rocks and shore where the first firearms entered Japan. Beautiful view. There is a lookout post shaped like an old ship. A small shrine is nearby. Restrooms available beside the free parking area.
恵美之江（えびのえ）展望公園
A beautiful vantage point over cliffs, with a near-perfect view of the TNSC Launch Complex. The park also makes for a great place to see the stars or the morning sun. The linked page lists four officially designated observation sites in all.
By ferry
The "Toppy" (トッピー) and "Rocket" (ロケット) Jetfoil ferries (formerly two separate companies) can be taken from Kagoshima; 4-6 of them take 1 hr 35 min, one of them takes 2 hours and stops in Isubuki, and…
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.
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Tanegashima · Regional · TNE
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