Lighthouses of Japan: Miyagi and Fukushima

This page lists lighthouses of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, near the northeastern corner of Honshū, Japan's largest island. This coast, facing east on the Pacific Ocean, is mostly rugged and spectacular--and dangerous to navigation.

This coast was devastated by the great earthquake and tsunami of 2011 March 11. Most of the lighthouses are high enough above the sea to escape the tsunami; most were damaged by the earthquake but have been returned to service. Harbor lights, however, were mostly overturned or destroyed by the tsunami, and repairs to harbor facilities will take more time.

In Japanese, the word for a lighthouse is tōdai (or toudai). The words saki and misaki are for capes and headlands, shima (also spelled sima or jima) is an island, wan is a bay, and kō is a harbor. Lighthouses in Japan are operated and maintained by the Japanese Coast Guard's Maritime Safety Agency. On Honshū there is usually one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture. That is the case in this region, with section offices at Miyagi and Fukushima.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. JP numbers are the Japanese Coast Guard's light list numbers. Admiralty numbers are from volume M of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Lighthouses in Japan
A comprehensive site, although almost entirely in Japanese. It's easiest to use the pages for each prefecture: Miyagi | Fukushima.
Lighthouse of Japan
Another comprehensive site, in Japanese, with pages for each prefecture: Miyagi | Fukushima.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour
Photos and notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country. There are index pages for Miyagi and Fukushima.
Lighthouses in Japan
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Miyagi Lighthouse Introduction
Information and photos posted by the Miyagi Coast Guard Office.
The Famous Fifty Lighthouses
Photos of the lighthouses voted most famous in Japan, posted by the Eighth Coast Guard Region. Three of the fifty stand in the area covered by this page (Todo Saki, Kuro Saki, and Kinkasan).

Sendai South Breakwater Light
Sendai South Breakwater Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
(The tsunami heavily damaged this breakwater and left the lighthouse leaning)

Lighthouses of Miyagi Prefecture

Kesennuma City Lighthouses
Note: The Rikuzen Coast of northeastern Miyagi Prefecture is an extension of the Rikuchū Coast of Iwate Prefecture, with the same rugged topography: a series of steep headlands jutting eastward into the Pacific.
* Rikuzen O Saki
1953. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete post light, rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan also has a photo, Lighthouse in Japan has a page with good photos, an evening photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the tip of the Karakuwa Peninsula about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Kesennuma. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-509; JP-1699; Admiralty M6570; NGA 4236.
Kara Shima
1966. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island in the eastern arm of Kesennuma Wan, about 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Rikuzen O Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1151; JP-1700; Admiralty M6568; NGA 4240.
* Tō Wan (Kesennuma)
1981. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, rising from one end of a 1-story building and supporting a large square room. Google has a satellite view. The nature of this unusual building is not known. Located at the head of the eastern arm of Kesennuma Wan, guiding ships toward the port. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-254; JP-1702; Admiralty M6567.4; NGA 4272.
* Rikuzen Ō Shima (2)
Date unknown (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 10 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower with three galleries, mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment and fog signal building. Fog horn (two blasts every 30 s). Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouses of Japan also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southern tip of an island about 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of Kesennuma and about 5 km (3 mi) southwest of the Rikuzen O Saki Light; the island separates the two arms of Kesennuma Wan. The island is accessible by ferry from Kesennuma. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-508; JP-1705; Admiralty M6566; NGA 4268.
* Iwai Saki
1929. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, occulting three times every 13 s. 17 m (56 ft) 2-stage elliptical tower with three galleries, mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan also has a photo, Lighthouse in Japan has a page with good photos, and Google has a satellite view. Google images show heavy tsunami damage in the area, but the lighthouse survived. Located on a promontory at the south entrance to Kesennuma Wan, about 12 km (7.5 mi) south of the city. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-188; JP-1706; Admiralty M6564; NGA 4276.
Rikusen Oshima Light
Rikuzen Ō Shima Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Motoyoshi District Lighthouses
* Utatsu Saki
1924. Active; focal plane 51 m (167 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) square concrete tower with gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse in Japan has a page with photos, and Misty's Tour also has photos, but trees seem to obscure Google's satellite view. Located on a promontory about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of Utatsu. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-732; JP-1712; Admiralty M6560; NGA 4284.
* Terahama
1951. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete tower with gallery, rising from an octagonal 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse in Japan has a page with good photos, and Google has a satellite view. Misty's Tour also has a photo and reports that the lighthouse stands in a large campground. Located on a promontory about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Shizugama. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-640; JP-1714; Admiralty M6558; NGA 4292.

Ishinomaki City Pacific Coast Lighthouses
* Ōsu (Oshu) Saki
1949. Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a square 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse in Japan has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour has additional photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 25 km (15 mi) northeast of Ishinomaki. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-466; JP-1716; Admiralty M6556; NGA 4300.
* Shirogane Saki
1957. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with three galleries, mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse in Japan has a page with photos, Misty's Tour also has photos, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a promontory about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Oshu Saki, part of the same cape structure. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-582; JP-1717; Admiralty M6554; NGA 4304.
Aka Saki
1957. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, rising from a square 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on a bluff on the west side of the entrance to the bay leading to the town of Ogati. Probably accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-009; JP-1720; Admiralty M6555; NGA 4316.
* Sikono (Yogono)
1926. Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round flared concrete tower with gallery centered on a 1-story concrete fog signal building. Entire lighthouse is white. Fog siren (one blast every 25 s). Google has a satellite view. Located at the southern tip of an island about 6.5 km (4 mi) south of the Shirogane Saki Light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-558; JP-1721; Admiralty M6549; NGA 4320.
#Megawa (Onogawa) Kō North Breakwater
1967. Destroyed. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. No photo available. This light is absent in Google's satellite view, so it must have been lost to the tsunami. Located at the end of the north breakwater, marking the entrance to the port of Megawa (Onogawa), about 15 km (9 mi) east of Ishinomaki. ARLHS JPN-1160; JP-1725; Admiralty M6550; NGA 4328.
Ōsu Saki Light
Ōsu Saki Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Megawa (Onogawa) Kō South Breakwater
1969. Active; focal plane12 m (39 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. It appears that this light survived the tsunami. Located at the end of the south breakwater, marking the entrance to the port of Megawa (Onogawa), about 15 km (9 mi) east of Ishinomaki. ARLHS JPN-1161; JP-1724; Admiralty M6551; NGA 4332.
* Haya Saki
1953. Active; focal plane 95 m (312 ft); white flash every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a square concrete lantern room, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment room. The light is displayed atop the tower; a spotlight is shown through a square window to illuminate a nearby reef. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse in Japan has a page with good photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a narrow peninsula about 20 km (13 mi) east of Ishinomaki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-094; JP-1722; Admiralty M6548; NGA 4340.
Rikuzen Eno (Yeno) Shima
1962. Active; focal plane 87 m (285 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, centered on a 1-story square concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Eno Shima is a small island in the Pacific about 5 km (3 mi) east of Haya Saki. The island has a permanent population of about 130 and is the site of the University of Tokyo's tsunami laboratory. A small aerial photo of the island is available (third photo on the page). Located at the highest point of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-506; JP-1727; Admiralty M6547; NGA 4336.
* Kinkasan
1876. Active; focal plane 55 m (181 ft); flash every 20 s, alternately red and white. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with a large 1st or 2nd order lantern and gallery, rising from a semicircular 1-story stone keeper's house. A Fresnel lens, perhaps the original, is still in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, the Coast Guard has an aerial photo of the station, Lighthouses of Japan has another photo, Lighthouse in Japan has a page with good photos, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse, the oldest in the region, is a rare survivor of the earliest period of Japanese lighthouse history. Kinkasan is an island about 6.5 km (4 mi) long lying off Kuro Saki at the extreme southern end of the Rikuchū/Rikuzen Coast. The island is a popular tourist destination known for its temples and its distinctive plant life. The lighthouse is at the southeastern tip of the island, apparently accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-259; JP-1728; Admiralty M6546; NGA 4344.
* Rikuzen Kuro Saki (3?)
Date unknown (station established 1929). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. We need better information on the history of this station. NGA describes a skeletal tower here, suggesting that the current tower was built rather recently. Lighthouse of Japan clains the station was established in 1892. Located on Kuro Saki, the south-pointing promontory that is the end of the Rikuzen Coast, about 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Ishinomaki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-507; JP-1729; Admiralty M6544; NGA 4348.
KInkasan Light
Kinkasan Light, May 2006
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Sekiuchi

Ishinomaki City Sendai Wan Lighthouses
* Dōmiki Saki
1966. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Google has a satellite view. Located at the southeastern tip of an island, about 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of Kuro Saki. The island is accessible by ferry. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-055; JP-1731; Admiralty M6545; NGA 4352.
#Ayukawa (Aikawa) Kō
Date unknown. Destroyed. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse was red. A distant view is available. Google's satellite view shows extensive damage to the harbor, with no navigational lights remaining. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1144; Admiralty M6542; NGA 4356.
Nigishiro Saki
1955. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the northern point of an island about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Ishinomaki. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-410; JP-1734; Admiralty M6540; NGA 4368.
* Oginohama
Date unknown (station established 1892). Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted white, although the paint had peeled off in the linked 2009 photo. Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory sheltering the harbor of Oginohama. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1159; JP-1735; Admiralty M6538; NGA 4372.
* Watanoha
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) white round tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. The name of this light is misspelled Watanoaha in many light lists. Located on the tip of a forested peninsula at the east end of Ishinomaki harbor. The site appears to be accessible. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1169; Admiralty M6534; NGA 4380.
* Watanoha Kō West Breakwater
1964. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse either survived the tsunami, or it has been replaced. Watanoha is the location of the replica of the ship Date Maru or San Juan Bautista, built by Spanish shipwrights for the Daimyo of Sendai in 1613. (The ship was not badly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami.) Located at the end of the main breakwater for Watanoha port, at the east end of the Ishinomaki port district. Accessible by walking the pier (although it's a long walk). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1170; JP-1739; Admiralty M6535.2; NGA 4384.
Ishinomaki Gyoko
1976. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. This small lighthouse seems to have survived the tsunami. Located at the southeast end of a detached breakwater off the Ishinomaki waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-1745; Admiralty M6533.4; NGA 4400.
#Ishinomaki Kō West Breakwater (1)
1976. Destroyed. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available. The lighthouse did not survive the tsunami; Google's satellite view shows a smaller (probably temporary) light (focal plane unknown, green flash every 4 s). Located at the end of the west breakwater at Ishinomaki. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1149; JP-1744; Admiralty M6533; NGA 4408.

Shiogama Area Lighthouses
Ha Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 3 s.12m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard has the closeup at right plus a good photo of this very scenic site, and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a small island at the southwestern end of Ishinomaki Wan (bay), about 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Ishinomaki. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-075; JP-1753; Admiralty M6520; NGA 4432.
Ha Shima Light
Ha Shima Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Zizū (Jizo) Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21m (69 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal stone tower with gallery, painted white. Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island on the south side of the approach to Shiogama, about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the city. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1150; Admiralty M6522; NGA 4444.
* Hanabuchi
1964. Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); two flashes every 20 s, two red flashes alternating with two green flashes. 23 m (75 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment building. Misty's Tour has a closeup photo, the Coast Guard has the photo at right and a second photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 8 km (5 mi) east of Shiogama. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-084; JP-1759; Admiralty M6521; NGA 4452.

Sendai City Lighthouses
Sendai North Breakwater
1972. Out of service; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. No photo available, but Google has a pre-tsunami satellite view. The Sendai breakwaters and their lighthouses were heavily damaged by the tsunami in March 2011. Located at the end of the north outer breakwater, marking the entrance to the harbor of Sendai. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2638; JP-1772; Admiralty M6521.2; NGA 4460.
* Sendai South Breakwater (2)
1998 (station established 1975). Out of service; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The breakwater was extended in 1997-98, requiring a new and taller lighthouse. The Coast Guard's photo is at the top of this page, the Japanese Aids to Navigation Association (JANA) also has a page for the lighthouse, Vadym Byelash has a closeup photo, and Google has a pre-tsunami satellite view. The Sendai breakwaters and their lighthouses were heavily damaged by the tsunami in March 2011; this lighthouse was torn from its foundations and left standing with a severe lean. Located at the end of the south outer breakwater, marking the entrance to the harbor of Sendai. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2639; JP-1774; Admiralty M6521.1; NGA 4464.
Hanabuchi Light
Hanabuchi Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Lighthouses of Fukushima Prefecture

Sōma District Lighthouses
Sōma Kō Northeast Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. The Sōma breakwaters were heavily damaged by the tsunami, but this light either survived or has been replaced. Located at the end of the detached northeast breakwater, marking the entrance to the harbor of Sōma. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1166; NGA 4478.
* Uno O Saki (Unoosaki)
1953. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); white flash every 10 s. 13 m (43 ft) rectangular cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour also has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a cape at the south end of the harbor of Sōma. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-717; JP-1787; Admiralty M6516; NGA 4496.

Futaba District Lighthouses
Toden Hukushima South Breakwater
Date unknown. Probably inactive; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. A very distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. This light guided vessels arriving at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, site of multiple nuclear disasters following the March 2011 tsunami. Located at the end of the nuclear plant's south breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1365; Admiralty M6515.4; NGA 4500.
* Oragahama (2)
1997 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 41 m (134 ft); white flash every 8 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with excellent photos, Misty's Tour also has a photo, Lighthouses of Japan also has a photo of the original lighthouse (at the bottom of the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff projecting into the sea about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Tomioka; this is within the nuclear disaster evacuation zone. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-492; JP-1789; Admiralty M6515; NGA 4504.
Toden Hiro South Breakwater
Date unknown. Probably inactive; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (43 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. This light guides vessels arriving at the Hirano Power Plant, a conventional (non-nuclear) facility. Located at the end of the power plant's south breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1364; Admiralty M6514.95; NGA 4520.

Iwaki City Lighthouses
* Hisanohama Kō North Breakwater
1974. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located on the north breakwater of Hisanohama. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1348; JP-1794; Admiralty M6514.6; NGA 4524.
* Hisanohama Kō South Breakwater
1974. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located on the north breakwater of Hisanohama. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1348; JP-1794; Admiralty M6514.6; NGA 4524.
Toyama Kō Detached Breakwater
1988. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of a breakwater sheltering the north harbor of Toyama, about 1.6 km (1 mi) north of the Shioya Saki lighthouse. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1368; JP-1800.7; Admiralty M6513; NGA 4550.
**** Shioya Saki (2)
1940 (station established 1899). Active; focal plane 73 m (240 ft); white flash every 15 s. 27 m (89 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. A large Fresnel lens is in use. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has additional photos, Lighthouse in Japan has a page with excellent photos, a 2009 photo is available, the Coast Guard has a page with photos of the original and present lighthouses (near the bottom of the page), and Google has a distant satellite view. This is a staffed light and communications station. The original lighthouse, built of brick, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1938. The second lighthouse was heavily damaged by an American air raid only five days before the end of World War II. It was repaired and returned to service in 1947. The lighthouse may be endangered by erosion of the cliff on which it stands. Located atop a spectacular promontory about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Iwaki. Site open, tower open daily to guided tours by the lighthouse staff. ARLHS JPN-574; JP-1801; Admiralty M6512; NGA 4552.
Toyama Kō Shioya Saki Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the east end of a detached outer breakwater protecting the harbor in the lee of Shioya Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1369; JP-1801.5; Admiralty M6511; NGA 4556.
* Ena Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A fine 2009 photo is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. An unusually tall example of this style of pierhead light. Located at the east end of the inner breakwater protecting Ena harbor, about 8 km (5 mi) east of Onahama. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M6508; NGA 4560.
#Nakanosaku Kō Old East Breakwater
Date unknown (station established 1935). Destroyed or removed. 7.5 m (25 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse was red. A 2008 photo of the two old breakwater lights is available, but they are missing in Google's satellite view; either it was destroyed by the tsunami or has been removed as part of the reconstruction of the harbor. Located on the east breakwater of the old inner harbor of Nakanosaku. ARLHS JPN-399; ex-JP-1808; ex-Admiralty M6507.4; ex-NGA 4580.

Shioya Saki Light, May 2006
Creative Commons photo by Masahiro Hayata
#Nakanosaku Kō Old West Breakwater
1959. Destroyed or removed. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse was white. A 2008 photo of the two old breakwater lights is available, but they are missing in Google's satellite view; either it was destroyed by the tsunami or has been removed as part of the reconstruction of the harbor. Located on the west breakwater of the old inner harbor of Nakanosaku. ARLHS JPN-1354; ex-JP-1809; ex-Admiralty M6507; ex-NGA 4584.
Nakanosaku Kō East (Detached) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two red flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a detached breakwater on the east side of the modern entrance to Nakanosaku harbor. Accessible only by boat. ARLHS JPN-1355; JP-1812; Admiralty M6505.6; NGA 4588.
* Nakanosaku Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on the short breakwater on the west side of the modern entrance to Nakanosaku harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS JPN-1356; JP-1813; Admiralty M6505.4; NGA 4592.
Ryugasaki Hana
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) lantern and gallery mounted atop a large steel tripod. Lighthouse painted white. A 2009 photo is at right, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located in the surf just off the modern entrance to Nakanosaku harbor. Accessible only by boat, but easy to view from shore. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1363; JP-1814; Admiralty M6505; NGA 4604.
* Bandokoro
Date unknown (station established 1928). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour also has a photo, a closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory on the east side of Onahama harbor, about 10 km (6 mi) south of Iwaki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-041; JP-1815; Admiralty M6504; NGA 4608.
Onahama Kō
Date unknown. Inactive. Approx. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower; lantern removed. A photo is available.The photo was taken in January 2011, two months before the tsunami. The wave swamped the breakwater but left the tower standing, as seen in a Google satellite view. This lighthouse must have marked the eastern entrance to Onahama harbor; with subsequent redevelopment there is no longer a clear passage through this area. Located at the east end of a detached breakwater at Onahama. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
Ryugasaki Hana Light
Ryugasaki Hana Light, September 2009
Panoramio photo copyright urapyon; permission requested
Onahama West Breakwater South Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. A photo is available (3/4 of the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the older breakwater of Onahama, a major port in southern Iwaki. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M6500.2; NGA 4628.
Onahama South Breakwater West Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the new outer breakwater of Onahama. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M6499.8; NGA 4632.
Hassaki Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); red flash every 3 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical red concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the detached outer breakwater of the Hassaki petroleum port, at the southwest end of the Onahama waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1347; Admiralty M6503.5; NGA 4648.
Hassaki South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); three green flashes every 13 s. 13 m (43 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of the Hassaki port. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1346; Admiralty M6503.8; NGA 4644.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Iwate | South: Eastern Honshū

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Posted August 15, 2006. Checked and revised July 23, 2011. Lighthouses: 52. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.