Kanoya (鹿屋市, Kanoya-shi) is a city located in Kagoshima, Japan.

South of Sakurajima and north of Cape Sata, Kanoya is an agricultural community on the Osumi Peninsula. It is famous for black beef, black pork and the Kanoya Rose Garden. Kanoya's most recent major architectural development was Rina City. Rina City offers a 24-hour grocery store, a mini-theater, fitness room, and several spaces for entertainment and cultural activities.

On January 1, 2006 the towns of Aira and Kushira, both from Kimotsuki District, and the town of Kihoku, from Soo District, were merged into Kanoya.

As of this merger and population statistics (April 1, 2010), the city has an estimated population of 104,174 and a population density of 232 persons per km². The total area is 448.33 km².

The city was founded on May 27, 1941.

Kanoya is located approximately at the heart of Osumi Peninsula with its city limits running approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) east and west and 41 kilometres (25 mi) north and south. The Takakuma Mountains stretch out into the northwestern part of the city and the Kimotsuki Mountains in the southeast. Between both mountain ranges lie the Kasanohara and Kanoyahara plateaus. The Kimotsuki Plains spread through the alluvial plains of the Kimotsuki River that runs through central Kanoya. In the western part of the city is Kinko Bay which runs down the coast line.

The average yearly temperature is 17.3 °C (63.1 °F).