Review of Jetfoil Toppy and Rocket | Japan’s Travel | Kagoshima to Tanegashima and Yakushima

Toppy & Rocket(トッピー&ロケット) is a high-speed vessel (jetfoil) operated by Tanegayaku High Speed Boat(種子屋久高速船), which was launched in 1989 on the Tanegashima-Yakushima route by Kagoshima Shosen, and merged with Cosmo Line on April 1, 2012, and restarted its operation as “Tanegayaku High Speed Boat Co. Ltd.

Today, the high-speed vessel Toppy & Rocket connects Kagoshima City, Ibusuki City, Tanegashima, and Yaku Island in Kagoshima Prefecture.

I took the high-speed boat from Nishinoomote Port on Tanegashima Island to Miyanoura Port on Yaku Island.

This time I boarded the Tanegayaku High Speed Boat “Rocket 2”!
In this article, I will introduce the know-how that you need to know in advance to enjoy the boat trip, as well as my impressions of the actual boarding experience.

Please check out another article about our ride on the large car ferry “Princess Wakasa”!

Taneyaku Kousokusen : Introduction of Specifications

  1. Model: Boeing 929
  2. Length: 27 meters
  3. Gross Tonnage: 267 tons
  4. Cruising Speed: 40~45 knots (83.34 km/h)
  5. Passenger Capacity: Up to approx. 260 passengers

Onboard Introduction of the Taneyaku Kousokusen Rocket 2

Seating
Seating on the second floor of the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
Seating on the second floor of the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
photo by mitemil

The high-speed boat Rocket, which I boarded this time, has a total of 241 seats.
At the front, there are four special seats called “Super Seats,” so if you have some extra cash to spare, reserving these special seats and boarding might be a good idea (^-^).

The seats are just the right size, with enough room to stretch your legs comfortably.
On the right side of the seat, there’s a black button for reclining, allowing you to adjust the angle to your preference, although it doesn’t recline too deeply.
Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory during the voyage.

The armrests of the seats are adjustable. There were retractable tables available, and they had drink holders carved out where you could insert a water bottle.

However, since the drink holder is designed for slim bottles, there is a possibility that some items might slip through, so it’s necessary to be cautious depending on what you place there (~_~;)

Furnishings
Fixtures inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
Fixtures inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
photo by mitemil

Inside the high-speed boat, there was a safety pamphlet detailing the rules and precautions to follow while onboard, along with discount coupons for use around Tane Island and Yakushima Island. The black etiquette bag, semi-transparent with handles, was opaque, making it difficult to see what’s inside, which is a nice touch.

Life jackets were stored under the seats, so in case of emergency, passengers are instructed to wear the safety jackets located under the seats and follow the staff’s instructions. Seats by the window had curtains for light shielding, which is a nice feature.

Storage Shelf
Storage shelf inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
Storage shelf inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
photo by mitemil

Above the seats, there are storage spaces where you can place carry-on items such as backpacks.

Luggage Storage Area
Luggage storage area on the first floor inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
Luggage storage area on the first floor inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
photo by mitemil

For passengers carrying large suitcases, there is a dedicated luggage storage area on the first floor where you can place your luggage before proceeding to your respective seats.

Vending Machine
Vending machine on the first floor inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
Vending machine on the first floor inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
photo by mitemil

There is a vending machine located near the entrance of the ship, next to the staircase leading to the second floor. Since passengers are not allowed to stand during the voyage, it’s necessary to make purchases before departure.

Toilet
Toilet on the second floor inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
Toilet on the second floor inside the Tane-Yaku High-Speed Boat Rocket 2
photo by mitemil

There are toilets on both the first and second floors. The Rocket 2, which I boarded this time, had three toilets on the first floor and one on the second floor.

Taneyaku Kousokusen Toppy’s Ferry Terminal & Directions

Kagoshima Prefecture
Izuro-dori Station
Izuro-dori Station
photo by mitemil

Kagoshima Port

Platform – Minato Terminal for Passenger Ships
Train – Izuro-dori Station to Minato Terminal for Passenger Ships – About 16 minutes on foot
Bus – High-Speed Ferry Terminal (Bus Stop) to Minato Terminal for Passenger Ships – About 6 minutes on foot

From Kagoshima Chuo Station to the High-Speed Ferry Terminal, it takes about 18 minutes on foot, and the fare is 180 yen.
You can take the Karasomachi Line bus operated by Kagoshima Kotsu to the High-Speed Ferry Terminal.

Yakushima Port

Platform – Yakushima Port
Train – JR Yakushima Station – About 17 minutes on foot

From JR Kagoshima Chuo Station to Yakushima Station, it takes about 1 hour by rapid train [Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line], and then transfer to the bus from in front of Izuro Station (Bus Stop) to Sako Kita (Bus Stop) takes about 1 minute (160 yen) to arrive.
Since it’s only a minute by bus, it might be good to walk there too!

Tanegashima
photo by mitemil
Yakushima
Yakushima's Miyanoura Port
Yakushima's Miyanoura Port
photo by mitemil

Miyanoura Port

Platform – Miyanoura Port
Bus – Approx. 1 minute walk from Miyanoura Port (Bus Stop)
The bus stop is located next to the taxi stand.

Anbo Port

Platform – Anbo Port
Bus – Approx. 1 minute walk from Anbo Port (Bus Stop)
Approx. 15-minute drive from Yakushima Airport

Taneyaku Kousokusen Toppy’s Boarding Fare

Fare Overview toggle icon

Route Adult Child
Kagoshima⇔Nishinoomote ■One-way: ¥10,300
★Round-trip: ¥18,800
■One-way: ¥5,150
★Round-trip: ¥9,400
Kagoshima⇔Yakushima ■One-way: ¥12,200
★Round-trip: ¥22,300
■One-way: ¥6,100
★Round-trip: ¥11,150
Kagoshima⇔Ibusuki ■One-way: ¥3,500
★Round-trip: ¥6,300
■One-way: ¥1,750
★Round-trip: ¥3,150
Ibusuki⇔Nishinoomote ■One-way: ¥8,400
★Round-trip: ¥15,300
■One-way: ¥4,200
★Round-trip: ¥7,650
Ibusuki⇔Yakushima ■One-way: ¥9,800
★Round-trip: ¥17,800
■One-way: ¥4,900
★Round-trip: ¥8,900
Nishinoomote⇔Yakushima ■One-way: ¥5,500
★Round-trip: ¥10,000
■One-way: ¥2,750
★Round-trip: ¥5,000

When purchasing round-trip tickets, adults save ¥1,800 and children save ¥800.

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Taneyaku Kousokusen Toppy’s Timetable and Travel Time

List of boarding times and travel times toggle icon

Route Travel Duration
Kagoshima⇔Nishinoomote Direct: Approx. 1 hour 35 minutes
Via Ibusuki: Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes
■Kagoshima⇔Yakushima (Anbo)
★Kagoshima⇔Yakushima (Miyanoura)
■Via Nishinoomote: Approx. 3 hours
★Via Nishinoomote: Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes
★Via Ibusuki: Approx. 2 hours
Kagoshima⇔Ibusuki Approx. 45 minutes
Ibusuki⇔Nishinoomote Direct: Approx. 1 hour 5 minutes
Via Yakushima: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes
Ibusuki⇔Yakushima (Miyanoura) Direct: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes
Via Nishinoomote: Approx. 2 hours
■Nishinoomote⇔Yakushima (Anbo)
★Nishinoomote⇔Yakushima (Miyanoura)
■Approx. 50 minutes
★Approx. 50 minutes

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I’ve created a table showing the required time for each route!

This time, I traveled from Nishinoomote to Miyanoura Port on Yakushima Island, but it seems the travel time is the same even from Anbo Port.

Departure times vary every year and every month due to reductions in the number of services or increases in the number of services due to temporary schedules.

Please check the official website for the latest timetable.

▼ Official website of Tanegashima Yakushima High-Speed Ship: Timetable

https://www.tykousoku.jp/fare_time/

What was actually asked when making a reservation at the counter

The ship I boarded this time was a high-speed ship called Rocket.

Seats on the ship were divided between the first and second floors.

When I made a reservation at the reception desk, I was asked, “Would you like a seat on the first floor or the second floor?” I chose the seat on the second floor.

There is no reserved seat fee, so if there are seats available on the day of the tour, you can choose where you want to sit.

I reserved a seat on the second floor, so I took the stairs in the center of the ship to the second floor.

Taneyaku Kousokusen Toppy Latest Information and Operation Status

The final decision on the Tanegayaku High Speed Boat Toppy’s operation is made one hour before departure.

You can check the operation status and cancellation rate of the Tanegayaku High Speed Boat Toppy from the official website operated by Orita Kisen.

▼Latest operation of Tanegayaku High Speed Boat Toppy

https://www.tykousoku.jp/etc/operation.php

My impressions of the Taneyaku Kousokusen Toppy

This time I boarded Jetfoil’s Toppy & Rocket’s Rocket 2.
The actual ride was just fast and comfortable.
The fare is twice as much as the car ferry, but it is still easy to take a high-speed boat.

If you are going to Tanegashima or Yakushima from Kagoshima by Toppy & Rocket, please be careful!

Have a nice boat trip!(^o^)/

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