This Off-The-Beaten-Path Japanese Island Is A Coastal Gem Offering Beaches, Yoga, And Rocket Launches
Just off the southern coast of Kyushu is Tanegashima, an island of tropical beaches, wellness retreats and rocket launches. Part of Kagoshima Prefecture, it is the second largest of the Ōsumi Islands. Unlike its remote Japanese island neighbor, Yakushima, Tanegashima is relatively flat with gentle slopes that lead to wide stretches of beach and sugarcane fields. Its subtropical climate is home to lush vegetation, including banyan trees and palm trees. With clear waters lapping the shore and a picturesque landscape, Tanegashima offers a place to swim, practice yoga, and even watch rockets launch into orbit from the island’s space center.
Long before it became known for its rocket launches, Tanegashima played a key role in Japan’s first encounter with Europeans. In 1543, a Portuguese ship accidentally landed on the island after veering off course. With them came advanced firearms, technology previously unknown in Japan. The local lord of Tanegashima recognized their value and purchased several weapons. He then commissioned local blacksmiths to reproduce both the weapons and their powder. This encounter sparked a major change in Japanese warfare. Centuries later, in 1969, Tanegashima underwent another transformation when the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan’s largest rocket launch facility, was developed.
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Watch rocket launches from the Tanegashima Space Center
Satellite towers among the hills and along Tanegashima beach – Norimoto/Getty Images
Several practical reasons motivated the choice of Tanegashima as the site of the Japanese space center. Its location closer to the equator allows rockets to take advantage of the Earth’s rotation and makes launches more efficient. The island’s remoteness also minimizes disruption to Japan’s fishing grounds. Additionally, Tanegashima had the infrastructure to support space operations. This included available land, as well as access to communications systems, water, electricity and public transport.
Today, the Tanegashima Space Center covers nearly 104 million square feet and is Japan’s primary launch site for orbital missions. The facility includes satellite assembly, parts inspection and rocket launch areas. Visitors can watch the launches live from the Takesaki Observation Stand, which offers a wide view of the coastline. The complex also includes a free space museum with hands-on exhibits and real rocket components that visitors can touch. Within the museum, the Liftoff Theater allows visitors to experience a simulated rocket launch consisting of sound effects and smoke.
Explore the coastal beauties and yoga destinations of Tanegashima
Rocks above blue waters and along a sandy beach in Tanegashima – norinori303/Shutterstock
Besides exploring the space center, the Tanegashima coastline is one of the island’s main attractions. Its beaches are known for their white sand and calm waters, making them ideal for various activities. At the northern tip of the island, Urada Beach offers swimming and snorkeling in clear waters where colorful tropical fish are usually visible. Towards the south coast, near the space center, Takezaki Beach is a popular surfing spot among the sandstone cliffs. About 18 minutes’ drive away, Hamada Beach is home to Chikura no Iwaya Cave. Visitors can enter the sea cave at low tide and enjoy views of the ocean.
Beyond outdoor recreation, Tanegashima is a destination for wellness travelers. In 2020, the town of Nishinoomote was certified as a sacred place of yoga. This designation was given because of its natural landscapes, believed to promote physical and mental well-being. Yoga sessions usually take place on beaches or coasts, where participants can meditate by the sea.
Travelers can fly to Tanegashima Airport from Osaka, nicknamed “the kitchen of Japan”, or Kagoshima, often called “Naples of Japan”. Alternatively, ferries depart regularly from Kagoshima Port. Travel times vary from 45 minutes to three and a half hours, depending on the type of ship. Once on the island, renting a car is the most convenient way to get around. To experience some of Tanegashima’s highlights, the Tanegashima Highway offers a recommended driving route that passes beaches, coastal roads, and the island’s space center.
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Read the original article about the islands.
