4-Day Trip in Tanegashima | How to Travel First Time | mitemil - Japan Travel and Outing Video Information Site

2024年10月13日

This travel article features a 3-night, 4-day trip to Tanegashima, fully enjoying the island on foot. This plan allows you to explore the lush nature of the island at a leisurely pace, forgetting the hustle and bustle of daily life and savoring the charm of Tanegashima.

This article is recommended for the following people!

・I don’t know what ‘Tanegashima’ is!
・I want to go to ‘Tanegashima,’ but how should I do it?
・Please tell me about the access methods, travel costs, and enjoyable places in ‘Tanegashima’!
・Please tell me everything I should know before going to ‘Tanegashima’!

In this article, I have created a sightseeing itinerary for a 3-night, 4-day trip to Tanegashima, which can be enjoyed even with transportation limitations by traveling solely on foot.

By reading this article, you will gain a detailed understanding of ‘Tanegashima.’ I will also share tips to enhance your travel experience.

If you’re interested in traveling to Tanegashima or want to know how to enjoy the island, please use this as a reference.

What kind of place is Tanegashima?

Tanegashima is an island located in Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture, with a population of 26,949. It is a nature-rich island composed of three municipalities: Nishinoomote City, Nakadane Town, and Minamitane Town. The island is also popular as a surf point due to the varying wave sizes and quality depending on the season. Attractions include mangroves and Japan’s only rocket launch site.

How to Access Tanegashima on Foot

There are various access methods to Tanegashima, including airplanes, ferries, and high-speed boats, allowing you to choose based on your travel plans! You can reach Tanegashima using the following modes of transportation.

Transportation Options to Tanegashima!

Airplane｜JAL｜From Kagoshima Airport to Tanegashima Airport

Ferry｜Princess Wakasa｜From Kagoshima (Kagoshima Port) to Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port)

High-speed Boat｜Toppy & Rocket｜From Kagoshima (High-speed Boat Terminal) to Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port)

Each mode of transportation is a convenient way to enjoy your trip to Tanegashima. Please choose the option that suits you best!

Details about the Ferry Princess Wakasa

Review of Princess Wakasa | Cosmo Line | Japan’s Ferry Experience | Kagoshima – Tanegashima

The Princess Wakasa is a ship operated by Cosmo Line, and began service on the Kagoshima Prefecture-Tanegashim […]

Details about the High-Speed Boats Toppy & Rocket

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) […]

Specialties and Attractions of Tanegashima

When it comes to the specialties of Tanegashima, they include the ‘Tanegashima Space Center’ and ‘matchlock guns.’ Local products feature black sugar shochu, sweet potato shochu, and fresh seafood caught locally. The highly sweet ‘Anno sweet potato,’ famous nationwide, is a specialty of Tanegashima and is used in various dishes.

Tourist Spots

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Festivals

Nishinoomote City “Matchlock Gun Festival”	A festival aimed at preserving the history and culture of the introduction of matchlock guns Approximately 6,000 fireworks
Nakadane Town “Yoirai-ki Festival”	“Yoirai-ki” means “everyone together” Parade and fireworks display in front of the town hall and Asahi shopping street
Minamitane Town “Rocket Festival”	A festival in Minamitane Town, home to the Tanegashima Space Center Local dance performances and approximately 10,000 fireworks

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Souvenirs & Local Specialties

Crafts

Tanegashima Knives & Scissors

Sweets

Tanegashima Sabre

Hamazoe Confectionery Gajumaru Candy

Brown Sugar

Rinkakedou Satellite Rinkake

Daily Yoguluppe

Tanegashima Space Center Space Food

Local Products

Anno Sweet Potatoes

Island Garlic

Black Pork

Ingii Bird

Kibinago (Silver-stripe Round Herring)

Sun-dried Flying Fish

Nagarame (Seafood)

Zouri Shrimp

Passion Fruit (Clock Vine)

Hamazeri (Seaweed)

Nigatake (Bitter Bamboo)

Island Spring (Sake)

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On a walking trip in Tanegashima, make the most of the buses
(No service on weekends and public holidays)

The buses mentioned in the itinerary created for this trip operate only on weekdays and do not run on weekends and public holidays. If you’re planning a walking trip, make sure to enjoy Tanegashima on your weekdays off!

3-Night, 4-Day Sightseeing Itinerary for Tanegashima

This trip lasts for 3 nights and 4 days.

The journey begins at Kagoshima Chuo Station. From Kagoshima Port, we will depart on the large ferry ‘Princess Wakasa‘ to head to Tanegashima.

Now, let’s get started with the introduction!

Day 1

Day 1 Budget: 6,680 yen (transportation) + accommodation costs

07:45
・Kagoshima Chuo Station

bus

07:50 → 08:04
・Kagoshima Chuo Station (Bus Stop) → Aquarium-mae (Bus Stop)
・Iwasaki Bus Line 26, Sakurajima Pier Shuttle Bus
・Approximately 14 minutes by bus | 160 yen

walk

08:04 → 08:15
・Aquarium-mae (Bus Stop) → Minami Port Passenger Terminal
・Walk approximately 10 minutes

memo

08:18
・Boarding Procedures

08:40 → 12:10
・Kagoshima Port → Nishinoomote Port
・Cosmo Line Princess Wakasa
・Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes | 5,000 yen

food

12:10 ~ 13:10
・Lunch & Free Time

walk

13:10 → 13:25
・From Nishinoomote Port (Bus Stop) to the Matchlock Gun Museum
・Walk approximately 14 minutes

museum

13:30 → 14:30
・Tanegashima Development Comprehensive Center “Matchlock Gun Museum”
・Adults (440 yen) / High School Students (280 yen) / Elementary and Junior High School Students (140 yen)

14:55 → 15:35 ~ 15:44
・Nishinoomote Port → Surrounding Bus Stops in Nakadane Town
・Sanmarin Sightseeing Bus Central Line
↓
15:35 – Nokkan (Bus Stop) 930 yen
15:39 – Chuo High School-mae (Bus Stop) 1,010 yen
15:40 – A-Coop-mae (Bus Stop) 1,040 yen
15:41 – Noma (Bus Stop) 1,040 yen
15:42 – Sakaemachi (Bus Stop) 1,050 yen
15:44 – Nakadane Clinic (Bus Stop) 1,080 yen

hotel

15:50 ~ 16:00
・Hotel Check-in

Day 2

Day 2 Budget: 3,220 yen (transportation) + accommodation costs

bus

07:55 ~ 08:04 → 08:27
・Surrounding Bus Stops in Nakadane Town → In front of Minamitane Town Hall (Bus Stop)
・Sanmarin Sightseeing Bus Central Line
07:55 – Nokkan (Bus Stop) 790 yen
07:59 – Chuo High School-mae (Bus Stop) 700 yen
08:00 – A-Coop-mae (Bus Stop) 670 yen
08:01 – Noma (Bus Stop) 670 yen
08:02 – Sakaemachi (Bus Stop) 660 yen
08:04 – Nakadane Clinic (Bus Stop) 620 yen
↓
08:27 – In front of Minamitane Town Hall (Bus Stop)

09:02 → 09:21
・In front of Town Hall (Bus Stop) → Space Center (Bus Stop)
・Minamitane Town Community Bus Kuki Nagaline
・Approximately 17 minutes by large bus | 100 yen

museum

09:25 ~ 10:25
・Exploring Tanegashima Space Center
・Space Technology Science Museum Admission Fee – Free

bus

10:30 ~ 11:45
・Free Bus Tour within the Space Center Facilities
・(※Reservation required, available 3 months in advance)

11:45 → 11:55
・Space Center (Bus Stop) → JAXA Cafeteria “Sora Meshiya”
・Walk approximately 10 minutes

food

12:00 ~ 13:00
・Lunch at JAXA Cafeteria “Sora Meshiya”
・Rocket Curry 620 yen
・Daily Lunch Special 750 yen
・Kids Plate 620 yen

13:00 ~ 14:20
・Free Time
Tourist Spots within Tanegashima Space Center
– Space Science and Technology Museum
– Kamorino Peak Observation Deck
– Takezaki Observation Deck
– Takezaki Coast
– Elephant Drinking Rock

14:25 → 14:42
・Space Center (Bus Stop) → In front of Town Hall (Bus Stop)
・Minamitane Town Community Bus Kuki Nagaline
・Approximately 17 minutes by large bus | 100 yen

bus

14:47 → 15:28
・In front of Town Hall (Bus Stop) → Hamada Entrance (Bus Stop)
・Minamitane Town Community Bus Hirayama Line
・Approximately 36 minutes by small bus | Free

hotel

15:30
・Check-in at Hotel Tanegashima Minamitane Town Island Lodge HOPE

hotel

walk

15:50 → 16:00
・From Hotel → Tanegashima Mangrove Park
・Walk approximately 12 minutes | Admission Fee Free

tropical

16:00 ~ 16:30
・Stroll around Tanegashima Mangrove Park

walk

16:30 → 17:00
・Tanegashima Mangrove Park → Chiza no Iwaya
・Walk approximately 30 minutes
・※ It is recommended to visit during low tide the following morning if high tide is present
・Japan Meteorological Agency Tanegashima Tide Chart

Day 3

Day 2 Budget: 9,580 yen (transportation costs) + accommodation fee

walk

07:30 → 07:50
・From Tanegashima Minamitane Town Island Lodge HOPE → Chikura no Iwaya
・Walk approximately 20 minutes

sea

08:00 ~ 08:30
・Chiza no Iwaya
・※ If it is low tide
・Japan Meteorological Agency Tanegashima Tide Chart

walk

08:30 → 08:50
・From Chiza no Iwaya → Hamada Iriguchi (bus stop)
・Walk approximately 20 minutes

bus

09:00 → 09:36
・From Hamada Iriguchi (bus stop) → Yakuba (bus stop)
・Minamitane Town Community Bus Hirayama Line
・Large bus for approximately 36 minutes｜100 yen

bus

10:08 → 11:20
・From Minamitane Town Yakuba-mae (bus stop) → Nishinoomote Port (bus stop)
・Sanmarin Tourist Bus Chuo Main Line
・Bus for approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes｜1,480 yen

taxi

11:30 → 11:50
・From Nishinoomote Port → Urata Beach
・Taxi for about 20 minutes, one way starting from 4,000 yen~
・0997-27-1010 (Ichimaru Taxi)

food

12:00 ~ 12:30
・Lunch at Tanegashima Ryokan Umi & Cafe Kimagure

restaurant

balloon

13:00 ~ 14:30
・Free time

taxi

14:40 → 15:00
・Uradahama Beach → Nishinoomote Port
・Taxi, approximately 20 minutes, one way 4,000 yen~
・0997-27-1010 (Ichimaru Taxi)

hotel

15:20
・Hotel Check-in

hotel

Day 4

Day 4 budget: 5,160 yen (transportation costs) + souvenir expenses

hotel

10:00
・Hotel checkout

walk

10:00 → 10:20
・Nishinoomote Port → Gessotei
・Walking time: approximately 18 minutes

cafe

10:20 ~ 10:40
・Tea break at Akakogijō Cultural Heritage Museum, Gessotei

balloon

11:20 ~ 12:00
・Free time
・This is a good time to buy souvenirs!

food

12:00 ~ 13:00
・Lunch

restaurant

memo

13:10
・Boarding procedures

13:45 → 17:25
・Nishinoomote Port → Kagoshima Port
・Cosmoline Princess Wakasa
・Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes by ferry | 5,000 yen

bus

17:31 → 17:49
・High-Speed Ferry Terminal (Bus Stop) → Kagoshima Chuo Station (Bus Stop)
・Iwasaki Bus Line 26 Sakura Island Bridge Shuttle Bus
・Approximately 18 minutes by bus | 160 yen

17:49 → 17:50
・Kagoshima Chuo Station (Bus Stop) → Kagoshima Chuo Station
・Walk approximately 1 minute

goal

18:00
・End of the trip!

Estimated Cost for a Walking Trip in Tanegashima | 4 Days, 3 Nights

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Total
Transportation	¥6,680	¥3,220	¥9,580	¥5,160	¥24,640
Accommodation	¥8,000	¥8,000	¥8,000	–	¥24,000
Food	¥3,000	¥3,000	¥3,000	¥3,000	¥12,000
Total	¥17,680	¥14,220	¥20,580	¥8,160	¥60,640

Note: This is the cost per person.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling in Tanegashima

Is it safe for women to travel alone in Tanegashima?

Tanegashima is relatively safe as a tourist destination, and women can enjoy their trip without concerns. However, as it is a remote island, some areas may have limited street lighting. It’s advisable to return to your accommodation before it gets dark or stay close to your lodging for safety.

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What is the best time to visit Tanegashima?

If you want to enjoy surfing, river activities, and other leisure experiences in Tanegashima, spring or summer is recommended!

The rainy season tends to have fewer tourists, and tour prices may be lower, so visiting during the off-season could also be a good option.

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How can I get to Tanegashima?

There are various options to access Tanegashima, including planes, ferries, and high-speed boats, so you can choose the one that best fits your travel plan! You can reach Tanegashima using the following transportation methods:

– Plane: JAL propeller plane
– Ferry: Cosmo Line – Princess Wakasa
– High-speed boat: Tane Yaku High-Speed Boat Toppy & Rocket

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How much does it cost to get to Tanegashima?

The one-way cost from Kagoshima to Tanegashima is as follows:

– Plane: JAL – ¥10,670 and up
– Ferry: Princess Wakasa – ¥5,500 and up
– High-speed boat: Toppy & Rocket – ¥10,300 and up

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Is it impossible to travel in Tanegashima without a car?

Many reviews and information found online suggest that it’s difficult to enjoy sightseeing in Tanegashima without a car.

It’s true that the buses on Tanegashima primarily operate in limited numbers, mainly around the urban areas, so there are almost no direct buses to major tourist spots. If you want smooth access to attractions, renting a car or taking a taxi is convenient.

Due to its status as a remote island, the number of buses is limited, and there may be some constraints on scheduling, but with some planning, you can still enjoy sightseeing.

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For those heading to Tanegashima, please take care and have a great trip! Safe travels \(^-^)/

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What kind of place is Tanegashima?

How to Access Tanegashima on Foot

Details about the Ferry Princess Wakasa

Details about the High-Speed Boats Toppy & Rocket

Specialties and Attractions of Tanegashima

Museums

Nature & Scenic Views

Sea & Beaches

Crafts

Sweets

Local Products

On a walking trip in Tanegashima, make the most of the buses (No service on weekends and public holidays)

3-Night, 4-Day Sightseeing Itinerary for Tanegashima

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Estimated Cost for a Walking Trip in Tanegashima | 4 Days, 3 Nights

Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling in Tanegashima

Articles

On a walking trip in Tanegashima, make the most of the buses
(No service on weekends and public holidays)