Major city · Japan
Cape Sata佐多岬
A half-day detour from southern Kyushu: see the southernmost point of the mainland, the lighthouse and the view, then leave. Not a base.
Cape Sata is the southernmost point of Kyushu, a rocky headland with a 1871 lighthouse, an observation tower and subtropical vegetation. The area has minimal services and is managed by a private company charging entry. Most visitors come for the landmark status and coastal scenery, then continue to Ibusuki or Yakushima.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold winds)
- Airport
- KOJ
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cape Sata110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cape Sata, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetySafe; the main risks are narrow winding roads and sudden fog.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKOJ Kagoshima Airport (About 2 h by car or bus + train to the cape).
- Getting aroundCar is the most practical way: the cape is at the end of a narrow peninsula with infrequent public buses.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a convenience store¥150–250 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketCape entry fee (adult)check¥300 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel bed in Ibusuki, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double in Ibusuki, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double in Ibusuki, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KOJ Kagoshima Airport (About 2 h by car or bus + train to the cape)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Dec (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cape Sata: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is the most practical way: the cape is at the end of a narrow peninsula with infrequent public buses. A rental car from Ibusuki or Kagoshima gives flexibility.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 40 min
Car, about 30–40 min north
Onsen town with sand baths; good for a meal or overnight.
Door to door: About 3–4 h
Car to Ibusuki port, then high-speed ferry (about 2–3 h total)
Ancient cedar forest and hiking; requires at least one night.
Door to door: About 2 h
Car, about 1.5–2 h north
City with Sakurajima volcano, aquarium and ferry to the island.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ibusuki
30–40 min drive north; onsen town with more accommodation and dining options.
Kimotsuki / Kinko
Closer to the cape but very limited lodging; check availability ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–15,000 (≈ US$55–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double in Ibusuki1 × 1 night × ¥12,000 | ¥12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Cape entry fee (adult)2 × ¥300 · check | ¥600 |
| Observation tower upper floor2 × ¥200 · check | ¥400 |
| Glass-bottom boat tour2 × ¥2,000 · check | ¥4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥3,700 |
| Trip total≈ ¥20,350 per person per day, bed included | ¥40,700≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Cape entry fee (adult)check | ¥300 (≈ US$3) |
| Observation tower upper floorcheck | ¥200 (≈ US$2) |
| Glass-bottom boat tourcheck | ¥2,000 (≈ US$14) |
| Coffee at a convenience store | ¥150–250 (≈ US$2) |
| Lunch in Ibusuki | ¥800–1,500 (≈ US$6–11) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Entry fee ¥300 (≈ US$3) (¥150 (≈ US$2) children) for the cape grounds, plus ¥200 (≈ US$2) for the observation tower upper floor; cash only.
- Open 8:00–17:00; last entry at 16:30.Open 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; last entry at 4:30 PM.
- No restaurants or shops at the cape; bring water and snacks.
- The road is narrow in places; drive carefully.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Cape Sata佐多岬
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Fukuoka; most other countries: embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cape entry fee: ¥300 (≈ US$3) adult, ¥150 (≈ US$2) child (check)
- Observation tower upper floor: ¥200 (≈ US$2) extra (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cape Sata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold winds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page with entry fee and hours verified.
- Glass-bottom boat tour schedule and price check.
- Bus timetable from Ibusuki or Kimotsuki (if any).
Sources
Ask about Cape Sata
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