HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Cape Sata Observatory Park
The southernmost point of mainland Japan
Osumi Tourism and Regional Development
Cape Sata is the southernmost point of mainland Japan. It sits on the 31st parallel north latitude at the tip of the Osumi Peninsula, on the eastern side of Kagoshima Prefecture’s two peninsulas.
A 20-minute walk along the promenade from the parking area leads to the Cape Sata Observatory. From there you can see the Cape Sata Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in Japan, as well as the distant islands of Yakushima and Tanegashima. Yakushima is a World Heritage site, and Tanegashima is home to the Tanegashima Space Center. The lighthouse was completed in 1871 and has watched over the passage of ships in the Osumi Strait to the present day.
The promenade also takes you to Misaki Shrine, where people pray for good luck in marriage. If you look closely at the top of the beams and the main bell of the shrine, you will see hidden heart marks. Try to see how many heart marks you can find around the shrine.
At the shop next to the car park, you can eat “sea salt soft serve.” The salt used for this soft serve is made from seawater, pumped from the sea off the coast of Sata in the town of Minamiosumi.
Free Wi-Fi is available at the Tourist Information Center. You can listen to the multilingual guide by scanning the QR code at the entrance to the promenade.
How to get there
Fly from Haneda Airport to Kagoshima Airport (about 2 hours). The destination is about 2 hours and 50 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport.
413-5 Sata Magome, Minamiosumi-cho, Kimotsuki-gun, Kagoshima-ken
