Lighthouses of Japan's Izu and Ogasawara Islands

The Izu Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands stretching southward from Tōkyō Bay. Izu Ōshima, the largest of the islands, is also the northernmost. Several of the islands, including Izu Ōshima, have had recent volcanic activity, and one of them, Miyakejima, had to be evacuated from 2000 to 2005 due to an ongoing eruption. Despite these dangers, the islands are popular tourist destinations accessible by ferry from Tōkyō and from Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture. All of the islands are included in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. For administrative purposes the islands are attached to Tōkyō Prefecture, although they are closer geographically to Shizuoka and Chiba Prefectures. Also included on this page are two lights of the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands, located well to the south, 1000 km (620 mi) south of Tōkyō. The Ogasawara Islands were actually settled by American and British sailors starting about 1830, but they were annexed by Japan in 1876. After World War II, they were administered by the U.S. from 1945 to 1968, when they were returned to Japanese control. Two of the islands, Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, are inhabited. There is no airport; access to the islands is by a ship that sails weekly from Tōkyō. 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. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. JCG 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. Izu Islands lighthouses are on the page for Tōkyō Prefecture. Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country. There are pages for two Izu Islands lighthouses on the site's Tōkyō page. Capes and Lighthouses Entirely in Japanese, this site has many fine photos of major lighthouses throughout Japan, including three of the Izu Islands lighthouses. Honshū East Coast A portion of an undated JCG light list; it includes the Izu Islands lights.

Izu Ōshima Light Japanese Coast Guard photo

Izu Ōshima Lighthouses
Note: Izu Ōshima is the largest and northernmost of the islands, lying in the mouth of Sagami Bay and visible from mnay points on the mainland. With a permanent population of about 8600, the island is a popular resort. It is accessible by air from Tōkyō and by ferry from Tōkyō and from Atami in Shizuoka prefecture.

* Izu Ōshima (2) 1926 (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 103 m (338 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrival concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo appears above, Ken Funakoshi has a nice page for the lighthouse, and Misty's Tour has a photo. The original lighthouse was destroyed by the great Tōkyō earthquake of 1923. The building is now used as a scientific research station. The lighthouse is built high on a promontory at the northern tip of the island, 25 km (15 mi) east of the Shizuoka coast; there's a great photo of the lighthouse with the mainland and Mount Fuji in the background. Accessible by a moderately strenuous hike. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-199; JCG-3201; Admiralty M6282; NGA 5476. * Okada Kō 1939. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with a domed top. Lighthouse painted white, but decorated as seen in the photo at right. Kiso's Lighthouses has two photos (next to last lighthouse on the page). Located at the end of the west breakwater at Okada, the ferry terminal for boats arriving at Izu Ōshima from Tōkyō, about 3 km (2 mi) east of the Izu Ōshima lighthouse. Unlike most Japanese breakwater lights, this one appears to be accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-478; JCG-3202; Admiralty M6284; NGA 5480. Ryūō Saki (2) 1951. Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); white flash every 12 s. 14 m (46 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso's Lighthouses has a photo (last lighthouse on the page). Misty's Tour has two photos, one a closeup. Lighthouses of Japan has a page with a different lighthouse, an 11.5 m (38 ft) concrete post light mounted at one corner of a square 1-1/2 story concrete equipment shelter. This lighthouse is described as having a focal plane of 14 m (46 ft), placing it near the coast. Presumably it is an earlier version of the light station. Located at the southern tip of Izu Ōshima. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-516; JCG-3203; Admiralty M6280; NGA 5488. Habu Kō (2) 1997 (station established 1951). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light rising from a 2-story square concrete equipment shelter. Lighthouses of Japan misidentifies the light as Ryūō Saki. Located on the west side of the harbor of Habu Kō, a portat the foot of the cape of Ryūō Saki. Site status unknown. JCG-3206.2. * Motomachi (Motomati) Kō 1953. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower; the light is displayed from a short post atop the tower. Located at the end of the jetty at Motomachi, a port on the west coast of Izu Ōshima. Apparently accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1465; JCG-3207; Admiralty M6286; NGA 5500.

Okada Kō Light, October 2006 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Nii Shima (Niijima) Area Lighthouses
Note: Niijima is located south southwest of Izu Ōshima. With a permanent population of about 2700, the island is smaller and not as well known as Izu Ōshima. It is accessible by air from Tōkyō, and ferries from Tōkyō to Izu Ōshima continue on to Niijima. It is also accessible by ferry from Shimoda in Shizuoka prefecture.
* To Shima

1982. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); white flash every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. To Shima is a small island north of Nii Shima and about 18 km (11 mi) southwest of Izu Ōshima. Located on a bluff at the northern end of the island. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3208; Admiralty M6273.5; NGA 5552.

* Niishima (Niijima) Kō

1990. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with a flared top. Entire lighthouse painted red. Located at the end of the jetty at Niishima Kō, the port of Nii Shima, on the west side of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-415; JCG-3208.5; Admiralty M6272.5; NGA 5558.

Nii Shima (Niijima)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 101 m (331 ft); white flash every 8 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on the southern tip of Nii Shima. Site and tower closed; the lighthouse is on a military base. ARLHS JAP-412; JCG-3209; Admiralty M6272; NGA 5556.

* Nobusi Kō

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal concrete tower with watch room but no gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. A photo by John Lander and a view from the sea are available. Located at the end of the jetty at Nobusi Kō, a port on the north side of Shikine Shima, a smaller island about 5 km (3 mi) west of the southern tip of Nii Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-424; JCG-3209.8; Admiralty M6272.8; NGA 5562.

* Shikine Shima

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12m (39 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A good photo is available. Located at the end of the jetty on the south side of Shikine Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1470; JCG-3210; Admiralty M6273; NGA 5560.

* Kōzushima Kō

1970. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 10 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse painted red. A distant view is available. Located at the end of the jetty at Kōzushima Kō, a port on the west side of Kōzu Shima, an island about 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Nii Shima. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3211; Admiralty M6274.4; NGA 5568.

* Kōzu Shima

1951. Active; focal plane 121 m (397 ft); flash every 12 s, white or red depending on direction. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Located at the southwestern tip of Kōzu Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-280; JCG-3212; Admiralty M6274; NGA 5564.

Miyakejima Lighthouses
Note: Miyakejima is an actively volcanic island, but it has a permanent population of about 2900. Eruptions forced everyone from the island in 2000, but residents were allowed to return in 2005. Air service from Tōkyō was resumed in April 2008, and the island is also accessible by overnight ferry from Tōkyō.

* Izu Misaki 1909. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Rebecca Lowson has a closeup photo, and another photo is available. This little lighthouse, built of roughly cut stone blocks, is a throwback to a nearly-vanished era of Japanese lighthouse history. The photo at right shows former keepers and their descendents celebrating the 100th anniversary of the lighthouse on 1 June 2009. Located at the northwestern tip of Miyakejima, about 32 km (20 mi) southeast of Nii Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-198; JCG-3213; Admiralty M6276; NGA 4920. * Satado Misaki 1954. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 15 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Capes and Lighthouses has a page with several photos, a closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff on the east side of Miyakejima. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the fence. ARLHS JAP-540; JCG-3214; Admiralty M6275; NGA 4924. * Izu Miyake (Miike) Kō Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. The lighthouse can be seen in aerial photo of the harbor during the 2000 eruption of the Miyakejima volcano, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the jetty at the Miyake harbor, a short distance south of the Satado Misaki lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1462; JCG-3215; Admiralty M6276.1; NGA 4928. * Ako Kō Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top. Entire lighthouse is white. A closeup and another good photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north jetty at Ako harbor, on the southwest side of the island. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3218; Admiralty M6276.2; NGA 4936.

Izu Misaki Light, June 2009 Shimoda Office Japanese Coast Guard photo

Hachijōjima Lighthouses
Note: Hachijōjima is an island about 300 km (190 mi) south of Tōkyō and about 100 km (62 mi) south southeast of Miyakejima. This is one of the most populous of the islands, with a population of about 8600. It is accessible by air or by overnight ferry from Tōkyō.
* Ogosi Hana

1961. Active; focal plane 99 m (325 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Capes and Lighthouses has a page with several photos, and Hirohiro Akabane has a distant view. Located on the northwestern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-452; JCG-3219; Admiralty M6279.6; NGA 4940.

* Kaminato Kō North

1990. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with flared top. Entire lighthouse is white. Located at the end of a breakwater at the traditional harbor of Kaminato, on the northeast side of Hachijōjima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-217; JCG-3221; Admiralty M6278.1; NGA 4948.

* Kaminato Kō South Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10.5 m (35 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with flared top. Entire lighthouse is white. Located at the end of a jetty at the newer south port of Kaminato, about 1.6 km (1 mi) southeast of the older light. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3221.3. * Ishizumiga Hana (Hachijōjima) 1951. Active; focal plane 96 m (315 ft); white flash every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a 1-story square concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Hirohiro Akabane's photo is at right, Capes and Lighthouses has a page with several photos, and another photo and a closeup are available. Located on a bluff at the southeastern end of Hachijōjima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-090; JCG-3222; Admiralty M6277; NGA 4952. * Yaene Kō 1975. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. The photo shows the lighthouse with a distinct lean, apparently caused by damage from a typhoon. Located at the end of the jetty at Yaene Kō, a sheltered harbor on the southwest side of Hachijōjima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-743; JCG-3223; Admiralty M6277.4; NGA 4956.

Ishizumiga Hana (Hachijōjima) Light, August 2007 Creative Commons photo by Hirohiro Akabane

Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands Lighthouses
Hutami (Futami) Kō (Chichi Jima)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 70 m (230 ft); white flash every 4 s; also a continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower with gallery. A photo is available. Located on a hill behind the harbor of Futami, the main town of Chichi Jima. Site status unknown. JCG-3227; JCG-3227; Admiralty M8346; NGA 4964 (flashing light) and 4968 (directional light).

Haha Jima (Oki Kō)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 12 m (39 ft) white tower. No photo available. Located behind the harbor, on the southwestern side of the island. Site status unknown. JCG-3229; Admiralty M8350; NGA 4972.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted August 30, 2006. Checked and revised July 5, 2009. Lighthouses: 23. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.