cape in Kyūshū island, Japan
Cape Sata (佐多岬) is the southernmost point on the island of Kyushu on the mainland of Kagoshima (prefecture) in Japan.
Cape Sata has undergone some changes, and there is far less tourism infrastructure in this beautiful location than there once was. The cape is just south of 31 degrees latitude.
Cape Sata is home to a lighthouse built in 1871, designed by the Scotsman Richard Henry Brunton.
The land is under the jurisdiction of a private company, and costs ¥300 (¥150 for children) to enter with open hours between 8AM and 5PM. The second floor of the observation tower costs an additional ¥200.
As there are no train lines running through almost all of the eastern, or Osumi (大隅) , peninsula of Kagoshima prefecture, traveling by car is practically the only option. From the parking lot, it's a short walk to the cape.
The cape presents some magnificent coastal views and a lighthouse. There is also an observation tower that provides a panorama of the area from behind glass. A nearby shrine is also a great place to take in the sub-tropical plant life.
A glass-bottom boat tour provides a chance to see some coral and underwater life, invigorated by the ”kuroshio” (黒潮) , or "black current," a warm water current flowing up the eastern coast of Kyushu from the south.