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Tanegashima island / Nishinoomote Port
Almost visitors start their Tanegashima trip through this Nishinoomote port. The first gun was introduced in Japan and the largest rocket-launch complex in Japan is operated by JAXA at TANEGASHIMA. Delicious twice to feel the past and latest @ one visit.
Port details
| Length | 260ｍ |
| Water Depth | 9ｍ |
| Maximum Gross Tonnage | 50,142ｔ |
Influences from across the ocean
Tanegashima has iron-rich sandy beaches on all sides and is surrounded by the ocean. The island was greatly influenced by the shipwrecks of vessels from overseas and the introduction of guns in 1543. These interactions resulted in the establishment of a manufacturing industry for scissors and other products. The blades of Tane scissors and kitchen knives are so good that you may find yourself not wanting to ever use anything else. They are often given as congratulatory gifts as they are said to “shape the user's destiny.”
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Tane scissors
Guns were introduced to Tanegashima, Kagoshima Prefecture, in 1543. Another item that arrived around the same time was scissors. Tane scissors were created based on the design of those imported scissors and are said to be the first scissors to be made in Japan.
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Tane kitchen knife
Handmade using some 30 steps, each knife is simple, sturdy, and characterized by a unique sharpness and durability. It is said each knife "gets polished with every cut.”
Annoimo sweet potato
Even though they can be grown anywhere in the country, Annoimo sweet potatoes grown in Tanegashima are said to be especially tasty. The island, which rose from the seafloor, has mineral-rich soil and is relatively flat, allowing the sea breeze to carry fine minerals across the whole island. Annoimo sweet potatoes grown in this environment have a sweet, full-bodied flavor.
Sacred island: Tanegashima
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Surfing mecca
Tanegashima is long and narrow, so surfing points can be chosen based on wind direction and ocean swell.
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Japan’s first yoga sanctuary
Visitors to Tanegashima can sense the natural energy from the sunrise and the sea as well as the local shrines and temples. Three spots in Nishinoomote City (Urada Beach, Amamegakura, and Sunset Line) are certified by the Japan Yoga Sports Federation as yoga sanctuaries, making them the first municipalities in Japan to be accredited.
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Anime site
Tanegashima Island is one of the 88 Anime Tourism Sites recognized by the Anime Tourism Association for two works, “5 Centimeters per Second” and “ROBOTICS;NOTES.”
Tanegashima Space Art Festival
The Tanegashima Space Art Festival has artworks and projects on display in various parts of the island. By touring the art festival, you can discover the wonders of the island.
Sightseeing on Tanegashima
The beauty of the island lies in its fusion of past and present, as the state-of-the-art Tanegashima Space Center stands not far from Cape Kadokura (Minamitane Town), where a monument marks the introduction of guns to Japan. From Nishinoomote City in the north to Minamitane Town in the south, you can feel the unique "time" that flows through the island.
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Chikura Cavern
The coastlines extending along Tanegashima's east and west give a completely different impression. Along the east coast you can see an eroded rocky shoreline which has been washed clean by the Pacific Ocean's rough waves. -
Tanegashima Space Center
The Tanegashima Space Center is surrounded by blue waters and white sand beaches, and is said to be the worlds most beautiful rocket launch site. -
Urada Beach
Selected as one of Japan's top 88 beaches, this beach is located in a cove at the northern tip of Tanegashima and has beautiful white sand and crystal-clear water.
This beach is a great place to relax and have fun. The on-site campground offers many activities such as scuba diving, SUP and sea kayaking. There is also a general information centre with showers, toilets, an observation deck and a rest area. -
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）.
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Otatsu-Metatsu Rocks
As legend has it, one stormy night, a husband and wife were cast into the sea and reincarnated as these rocks, which seem to snuggle against each other. The rock on the right is called Otatsu (Male Dragon), while the rock on the left is called Metatsu (Female Dragon).
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