Tanegashima Transportation

These pages cover how to get to, and get around, the island. The links below contain detailed information about each mode of transportation along with the positive and negative points of each.
Travel To Tanegashima
Tanegashima via Airplane

Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Tanegashima. You can fly from either Osaka (Itami) Airport or from Kagoshima Airport. Direct flights from Osaka are only at certain times of the year. Throughout the year though flights from Osaka will change at Kagoshima and then continue on to Tanegashima.
Tanegashima via Ferry

Taking the ferry to get to Tanegashima is a slower but definitely more relaxing way to get to the island. You can take the ferry from Osaka to Kagoshima and then take another ferry to Tanegashima. There is no direct ferry from Osaka to Tanegashima.
Travel Around Tanegashima
Tanegashima via Car

Basically if you want to see a lot of the island, driving is definitely the best choice. Then you need to decide if you want to rent a car or bring your own. I recommend renting a car if you plan to stay less than a week and bringing your own car for stays over a week.
Tanegashima via Taxi

Although relaxing and nice to be chauffeured around, taking a taxi in Tanegashima can get very pricey. A straight ride from Nishinoomote in the north to Minimitane in the south will easily run you about 6,000 yen. If you plan to see a lot on the island you might think about renting a car, or even better, bringing your own.
Tanegashima via Bus

Traveling around Tanegashima using one of the local buses seems pretty inconvenient. The buses are really infrequent and most likely will not fit in with the limited time schedule of a traveler to the island. That said, it might be a nice, very slow way, to see the island.