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Tanegashima
Renowned for rocket launches, yoga, marine sports and metalwork, this island is a diverse destination offering something for everyone.
Past and future
Tanegashima is the site of Japan’s largest space development center, which assembles and fires rockets. Check out the museum exhibits or join a tour of the facility to get a glimpse of the future. History buffs, meanwhile, can look back on the island’s story as the site of the first firearms into Japan, in 1543, and trading post with the world. Today, Tanegashima remains a stronghold for metalwork crafts, producing top-quality knives for chefs and scissors for bonsai masters.
Activities and experiences
With turquoise waters and white-sand beaches, Tanegashima is popular for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also the only Sacred Place of Yoga recognized by the All Japan Yoga Federation, making it the perfect place to enjoy this wellness activity.
Tanegashima to the east of Yakushima is only 282m at the highest point and contrasts to the 1,935 high Yakushima. There are many space-related facilities such as the Tanegashima Space Center, and the island plays a major role in space development in Japan. Marine sports are also popular, and many surfers have recently moved to this swell isle.
Space Exhibition Hall
Biggest rocket launch site in Japan
Japan's largest space development center, this is the base for launching satellites. The Space Exhibition Hall exhibits life-size replicas related to fields of space development and a variety of educational games （refer to the Reference Materials for details）.
Teppokan（Firearms Museum）
The building was created in the image of a foreign vessel, which first brought firearms to Japan. There are approximately 8,000 documents, and 90 old fashioned firearms from home and abroad exhibited （refer to the Reference Materials for details）.
Chikura No Iwaya Cave
A wonderful cavern created by the hand of nature
The cave on the shores of Hamada Coast was carved out by the rough tides of the Pacific Ocean. It is said that it's capable of accom-modating up to 1,000 people inside and it only appears at low tide.
Transportation in Tanegashima
Past and future
Tanegashima is the site of Japan’s largest space development center, which assembles and fires rockets. Check out the museum exhibits or join a tour of the facility to get a glimpse of the future. History buffs, meanwhile, can look back on the island’s story as the site of the first firearms into Japan, in 1543, and trading post with the world. Today, Tanegashima remains a stronghold for metalwork crafts, producing top-quality knives for chefs and scissors for bonsai masters.
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