Tanegashima

A 30-minute plane ride from Kagoshima Airport. This island is famously known as the place where guns were introduced to Japan. The design of the Tanegashima Development Center and Firearm Museum building is modeled after the Portuguese ships which brought guns to Japan; the museum displays guns brought to Japan from Portugal as well as early examples of domestically produced matchlock firearms. The Tanegashima Space Center on the southeastern tip of the island is the only space center in the country from which practical satellites are launched. In addition to facilities connected to guns and space, the island has scenic destinations such as beaches and mangrove forest; visitors can also enjoy scuba diving and other marine sports.