Tanegashima is a long and slim island located 40km south of Cape Sata of Osumi peninsula, the southernmost tip of Japan's four big islands. It stretches 58km from north to south and is only about 12km at its widest point. It is known as a "Surfing Mecca" because of the many surfing points scattered all around the island. It is also known as the place where matchlock guns were introduced by the Portuguese. Tanegashima is renowned as a gateway to space because of its well-known "Space Center."