Japan · Public viewing: Yes · 4 spots, last verified 2026-10-02.
Tanegashima is a small island in southern Kagoshima where Japan launches its H3 rocket. The island is used to hosting spectators: the town designates several parks around the island as viewing spots, with JAXA relaying the countdown. You can see the launch from several kilometres away.
Public viewing at Tanegashima, Japan
Public viewing: YesAt least one public viewing area is open without registration or a ticket.
JAXA closes the whole centre and a 3 km radius around the pad on launch day, but the town of Minamitane runs designated viewing parks outside it where JAXA broadcasts the countdown. Three are open to all and one needs a prior lottery.
JAXA's guidance: the entire Tanegashima Space Center and the area within 3 km of the pad are off-limits on launch day, so watch from outside it.
The designated sites run by Minamitane Town are Uchugaoka Park, Hase Observation Park, Maenomine Ground and Eminokotenbo Observation Park; only Eminokotenbo needs a prior lottery. JAXA broadcasts the countdown audio at the designated sites.
Details change per launch, so JAXA tells people to check the Minamitane Town website (in Japanese).
If you cannot be there: JAXA streams H3 launches on its website and YouTube channel (including English). The launch page lists the webcast when Launch Library 2 has the link.
These dates are placeholders from Launch Library 2 until a real date is announced.
Crowd estimates are computed from launch type, local time and weekday; they are a guide, not a measurement. How we estimate it.
Map
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Closure and parking arrangements are published by Minamitane Town in Japanese, shortly before each launch. JAXA announces dates and postponements on the countdown pages.
Travel advisories and local rules
Follow posted signs and local instructions near restricted sites, including any rules on drones.
Entry rules, permits and security conditions differ by country and change. Read your own government's current travel advice before you plan a trip around a launch.
Tanegashima is reached by air from Kagoshima or by ferry and hydrofoil from the mainland. Plan flights and lodging early for big launches, and read the town's notice for that launch for parking, shuttles and the lottery details.
Safety
Stay outside the 3 km no-entry zone and the space centre on launch day. Roads can be closed and the weather often delays launches by days.
What to bring
Sun protection, water, rain gear, a radio or phone for the live broadcast, and patience for long waits.