Tanegashima Communities

Tanegashima is divided into three communities, including a city and two towns. Nishinoomote is the only city and makes up the northern section of the island. Nakatane town is located in the middle section of the island. Minamitane town is located in the southern section of the island. Each community is further divided into districts and each has beautiful beaches, incredible views, nice affordable restaurants, and unique annual events adding to the character of each location. This Landsat 8 satellite image of the Ōsumi Islands in Japan. Tanegashima (right side), Mageshima (left of Tanegashima), Yakushima (bottom center), Kuchinoerabu-jima (bottom left side), Iōjima (top left side), Takeshima (right of Iōjima).
Nishinoomote City

Nishinoomote (西之表市 Nishinoomote-shi) is a city located on the island of Tanegashima, in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the city has an estimated population of 16,418 and a population density of 79.8 persons per km². The total area is 205.75 km².  Nishinoomote is bordered by the East China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, and by the Osumi Strait separating Tanegashima from the Kyushu mainland.
Nakatane Town

Nakatane (中種子町 Nakatane-chō) is a town located in central Tanegashima, in Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the town has an estimated population of 8,439 and a population density of 61.2 persons per km². The total area is 137.78 km².
Minamitane Town

Minamitane (南種子町 Minamitane-chō) is a town located on Tanegashima, in Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of June 2013, the town has an estimated population of 5,925 and a population density of 53.8 persons per km². The total area is 110.40 km². The headquarters of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is located at the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane.
 
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