[Makoto Shinkai Works] Nakatanetane Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture
Makoto Shinkai’s masterpiece animated film “5 Centimeters per Second” has captivated many fans with its beautiful landscape depictions and poignant coming-of-age story. The setting for the second episode “Cosmonaut” is Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture. This article provides a detailed introduction to pilgrimage spots featured in the work and offers practical information for actually visiting them.
The Relationship Between “5 Centimeters per Second” and Tanegashima
“5 Centimeters per Second” is a feature-length animated film directed by Makoto Shinkai released in 2007, consisting of three interconnected short stories. The second episode, “Cosmonaut,” is set on Tanegashima in Kagoshima Prefecture and depicts the high school days of protagonist Takaki Tono and Sumida Hanae.
Tanegashima is an island located south of Kagoshima Prefecture, known for being home to the Tanegashima Space Center. Director Shinkai actually visited Tanegashima to conduct detailed research, reflecting the island’s beautiful scenery and unique atmosphere in his work. The film faithfully depicts real locations on Tanegashima such as coastlines, schools, and rocket launch sites, making it a popular pilgrimage destination for fans.
Access Methods to Tanegashima
Before beginning your pilgrimage, first confirm how to get to Tanegashima. Since Tanegashima is an island, you’ll need to access it by airplane or ferry.
Access by Airplane
From Kagoshima Airport to Tanegashima Airport
- Travel time: Approximately 35 minutes
- Operator: Japan Air Commuter (JAC)
- Flights: Approximately 3-4 flights daily
- Cost: Around ¥15,000-20,000 one way (varies by season)
From Osaka (Itami Airport) to Tanegashima Airport
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- Operator: Japan Air Commuter (JAC)
- Flights: Approximately 1 flight daily
- Cost: Around ¥25,000-35,000 one way
Access by Ferry
From Kagoshima Main Port to Tanegashima (Nishinoomote Port)
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by high-speed ferry, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes by regular ferry
- Operator: Tanegashima/Yakushima Transportation
- Frequency: Approximately 2-3 ferries daily
- Cost: High-speed ferry ¥7,700, regular ferry approximately ¥5,200 (second class)
Ferries allow you to bring vehicles, making them recommended for those who want to move freely around the island. However, reservations are difficult to obtain during busy periods, so early booking is recommended.
Transportation Methods Within Tanegashima
Tanegashima is a long, narrow island, approximately 58 km north to south and 5-12 km east to west. Since pilgrimage spots are scattered throughout the island, securing efficient transportation is important.
Rental Car (Most Recommended)
Rental car companies are available around Tanegashima Airport and Nishinoomote Port. Since public transportation is limited, a rental car is the most convenient for pilgrimage. You can rent one for around ¥5,000-8,000 per day. Early reservations are strongly recommended.
Rental Bicycles/Rental Motorbikes
Rental bicycles or motorbikes are recommended for those confident in their fitness or who want to enjoy the island scenery leisurely. However, since travel distances are long, multiple days are necessary to visit all spots.
Local Buses
Tanegashima Transportation operates local buses, but with few departures, they are unsuitable for pilgrimage. You’ll need to check the schedule in advance and plan carefully.
Taxis
Taxi companies operate on the island, but with limited numbers, early reservation is recommended. Some companies offer sightseeing taxi plans.
Detailed Main Pilgrimage Spots
Tanegashima Space Center
Scenes in the Work
Appears as the model for the rocket launch site in important scenes of the film. Depicted as the background for scenes where Hanae looks up at the rocket launch and where Takaki and Hanae have conversations.
Actual Location
- Address: Kushinaga Mazu, Shigane, Minamitanetane Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture
- Viewing: Space Science and Technology Hall is free to visit (9:30-17:00, closed Mondays)
- Features: Japan’s largest rocket launch facility where H-IIA rockets and others are actually launched
Pilgrimage Tips
From the Space Center’s observation deck, you can actually see the launch pads featured in the film. If you’re lucky, you might witness a rocket launch. Launch schedules can be checked on JAXA’s official website.
Tanegashima High School (Model School)
Scenes in the Work
Considered to be the model for the high school attended by Takaki and Hanae. The school’s exterior, gates, classroom views and other landscapes appear in the work.
Actual Location
Kagoshima Prefectural Tanegashima High School is considered the model, but as the school is an educational facility, entry onto the campus is not permitted.
Pilgrimage Tips
Viewing should be limited to the exterior from public roads, and care must be taken not to disturb students and staff. Visit outside class hours and rush hour times.
Urata Beach
Scenes in the Work
Considered the model for the beach scene where Takaki and Hanae have a conversation at dusk. A scene with beautiful sunset and quiet wave sounds was impressive.
Actual Location
- Address: Shigane, Minamitanetane Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture
- Access: Approximately 20 minutes by car from Tanegashima Airport
- Features: A beautiful beach with white sand and highly transparent water
Pilgrimage Tips
Visiting in the evening allows you to recreate the film’s scenes. The time when the sun sets over the sea is the perfect shooting opportunity. Beaches are crowded with swimmers in summer, so spring and autumn are recommended for enjoying a quieter atmosphere.
Chikura no Iwaya (Chikura Cave)
Scenes in the Work
A location that may appear in the work as a unique coastal landscape of Tanegashima.
Actual Location
- Address: Hirayama Hamada, Minamitanetane Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture
- Access: Approximately 30 minutes by car from Tanegashima Airport
- Features: A mysterious cave created by wave erosion where seawater enters during high tide
Pilgrimage Tips
Visit at low tide to enter the interior of the cave. Check tides in advance before visiting. The rocks are slippery, so wearing shoes with good grip is recommended.
Nishinoomote City Center
Scenes in the Work
The cityscape where Takaki lives is depicted, including the shopping district and harbor areas.
Actual Location
The city center of Nishinoomote, the gateway to Tanegashima. Features ferry terminals and shopping districts.
Pilgrimage Tips
Stroll through the city while looking for buildings and scenery featured in the work. You can also purchase souvenirs unique to Tanegashima at local shops.
Kadokura Cape
Scenes in the Work
Located at the southernmost tip of Tanegashima, this cape may have influenced the landscape depictions in the work.
Actual Location
- Address: Nishi, Minamitanetane Town, Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture
- Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from Tanegashima Airport
- Features: The southernmost cape of Tanegashima with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean
Pilgrimage Tips
On clear days, you can see Yakushima. The view from the observation deck is spectacular, offering the vast sky and sea scenery characteristic of Makoto Shinkai’s works.
Model Pilgrimage Courses
One-Day Course (With Rental Car)
Morning
- 9:00 Arrive at Tanegashima Airport, rent a car
- 9:30 Enjoy coastal scenery at Urata Beach
- 10:30 Visit Tanegashima Space Center (Space Science and Technology Hall)
- 12:00 Lunch in Minamitanetane Town
Afternoon
- 13:30 Visit Chikura no Iwaya
- 15:00 Enjoy spectacular views at Kadokura Cape
- 16:30 Around Tanegashima High School (exterior only)
- 17:30 Stroll through Nishinoomote city center
- 19:00 Dinner and accommodation
Two-Day Course (Thorough Pilgrimage)
Day 1
- Morning: Arrive at Nishinoomote, stroll through city center
- Afternoon: Visit sightseeing spots in northern Tanegashima
- Evening: Watch the sunset at Urata Beach
Day 2
- Morning: Visit Tanegashima Space Center
- Afternoon: Visit southern spots including Chikura no Iwaya and Kadokura Cape
- Evening: Depart from Tanegashima Airport or Nishinoomote Port
Photography Tips and Etiquette
Photography Precautions
- No Trespassing on Private Property: Do not enter schools, residences, or other private property without permission.
- Consideration for Local Residents: Avoid making loud noise or blocking roads.
- Take Your Trash With You: To preserve Tanegashima’s beautiful nature, always take your garbage with you.
- Respect Restricted Areas: Never enter restricted areas such as the Tanegashima Space Center.
Recommended Photography Equipment
- Wide-angle Lens: Perfect for capturing expansive sky and sea scenery
- Tripod: Useful for photography during dusk
- Polarizing Filter: Makes sea and sky colors more vivid
Tanegashima Cuisine and Accommodation Information
Local Tanegashima Cuisine
Annō Potatoes
Sweet potatoes unique to Tanegashima. Roasted sweet potatoes and Annō potato sweets are recommended.
Flying Fish Dishes
Dishes made from flying fish caught in waters near Tanegashima. Sashimi and deep-fried versions are excellent.
Tanegashima Brown Sugar
Brown sugar made by traditional methods, also ideal as souvenirs.
Ingī Chicken
A local breed of chicken native to Tanegashima with unique flavor.
Accommodation Facilities
Tanegashima offers various types of accommodations.
- Hotels/Inns: Several available, centered around Nishinoomote city (around ¥7,000-15,000 per night)
- Minshuku (Private Lodges): Enjoy meals made with local ingredients (around ¥6,000-10,000 per night with two meals)
- Guest Houses: Budget-friendly for backpackers (around ¥3,000-5,000 per night)
- Campsites: Recommended for those wanting to enjoy nature
During busy periods (summer vacation, Golden Week, rocket launch periods), reservations are difficult to obtain, so early booking is recommended.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May)
- Weather: Mild and pleasant
- Advantages: Relatively few tourists, can enjoy pilgrimage at leisure
- Disadvantages: Sea bathing still cold
Summer (June-August)
- Weather: Hot with typhoon risk
- Advantages: Can enjoy swimming, blue sky and sea are beautiful
- Disadvantages: Many tourists, difficult to reserve accommodations
Fall (September-November)
- Weather: Pleasant, typhoon risk decreases
- Advantages: Peak tourism season, ideal for landscape photography
- Disadvantages: Possible crowds during rocket launch periods
Winter (December-February)
- Weather: Warmer than mainland but windy some days
- Advantages: Few tourists, cheap accommodations
- Disadvantages: Limited sea activities
Spring (April-May) and Fall (October-November) are recommended. With mild weather and relatively fewer tourists, you can enjoy pilgrimage leisurely.
Other Sightseeing Spots on Tanegashima
Introducing attractive spots on Tanegashima to visit along with pilgrimage sites.
Iron Cannon Museum (Teppōkan)
A museum where you can learn the history of Tanegashima, where firearms were first introduced to Japan. Located in Nishinoomote city center with convenient access.
Mangrove Park
Tanegashima’s only mangrove forest where you can also try canoeing.
Takesaki Coast
A beach featuring beautiful coral reefs and highly transparent water. Popular as a snorkeling spot.
Tanegashima Development Center (Iron Cannon Museum)
A facility where you can learn about Tanegashima’s history and culture, and learn in detail about the history of firearms introduction.
Pilgrimage Preparation Checklist
Essential Items
- Driver’s license (if using rental car)
- Camera/smartphone
- Charger/mobile battery
- Sunscreen/hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain gear (folding umbrella, etc.)
- Cash (some shops on the island only accept cash)
Useful Items
- Film images and materials (for checking photography spots)
- Binoculars (for observing rocket launch pads)
- Insect repellent spray (summer)
- Swimsuit (if enjoying sea bathing)
- Cooler box (for chilling souvenirs)
Budget Estimate
For One Night, Two Days (Per Person)
- Transportation: ¥30,000-50,000 (round-trip airfare or high-speed ferry)
- Rental car: ¥8,000-10,000 (1 day)
- Accommodation: ¥7,000-15,000 (one night)
- Meals: ¥5,000-8,000
- Sightseeing/Other: ¥5,000-10,000
Total: Approximately ¥55,000-93,000
You can reduce costs by using the ferry or staying at a minshuku.
The Charm of Tanegashima Film Pilgrimage
Visiting Tanegashima, the setting of “5 Centimeters per Second,” allows you to understand the work’s world view more deeply. By actually experiencing the beautiful sky, vast sea, and the island’s landscape where rockets take off that director Shinkai depicted, your affection for the work will deepen further.
Tanegashima is not just a pilgrimage spot, but an island with many charms including rich nature, unique culture, and delicious food. It’s a tourist destination enjoyable even for those who are not fans of the film.
Rewatching the film before visiting allows you to discover “this scene was filmed here,” making the experience even more enjoyable. Watching the work again after visiting will allow you to feel new emotions.
Summary: Making Your Tanegashima Film Pilgrimage Successful
When visiting Tanegashima for a “5 Centimeters per Second” pilgrimage, keep the following points in mind.
- Don’t Forget Advance Reservations: Book airplane tickets, ferries, rental cars, and accommodations early.
- Rental Cars Are Recommended: A rental car is the most convenient for getting around the island.
- Follow Etiquette: Be mindful of local residents and other tourists, maintaining respectful behavior.
- Allow Extra Time: As it’s an island, allow for potential transportation delays due to weather in your schedule.
- Rewatch the Film Before Visiting: Rewatching the movie beforehand will allow you to enjoy pilgrimage more deeply.
- Enjoy Tanegashima’s Charms: Enjoy not just the pilgrimage but also the island’s unique nature and food culture.
A Tanegashima film pilgrimage is a valuable experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the film’s world while enjoying beautiful nature and unique culture. Please use this article as a reference to plan a memorable pilgrimage. Why not see the scenery that Takaki Tono and Sumida Hanae witnessed with your own eyes?
