Lighthouses of Japan: Ibaraki and Chiba

This page lists lighthouses of Japan's Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures on the east coast of Honshū, within a short drive of the Tōkyō metropolitan area. Ibaraki prefecture faces east on the open Pacific Ocean. Chiba prefecture includes the Bōsō Peninsula, which projects southward separating Tōkyō and Sagami Bays from the Pacific. This region includes some densely populated urban areas, but it also includes a surprising length of wild and scenic coastline.

In Japanese, the word for a lighthouse is tōdai or toudai (灯台). 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, sometimes two.

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 the individual prefectures: Ibaraki and Chiba.
Lighthouse of Japan
Another comprehensive site, in Japanese, with pages for each prefecture: Ibaraki | Chiba.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour
Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country. There are pages for the individual prefectures: Ibaraki and Chiba.
Lighthouses - Ibaraki and Chiba
A large collection of Japanese lighthouse photos.
Kiso's Lighthouses
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Ibaraki Coast Guard Office - Gallery
In the left panel, the first group of five subheadings links to photos of the major Ibaraki lighthouses.
Chōshi Lighthouse Guide
Data and small photos posted by the Chōshi Coast Guard Section, which covers the east coast of Chiba Prefecture.
Lighthouses in Chiba Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture
Photos available from Wikimedia.
The Famous Fifty Lighthouses
Photos of the lighthouses voted most famous in Japan, posted by the Eighth Coast Guard Region. Two of the fifty stand in the area covered by this page (Inubo Saki and Nojima Saki).
Leuchttürme Japans und Koreas auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Hitachi Saki Light
Hitachi Saki Light, Hitachi, July 2009
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Hiroshi Ishii

Lighthouses of Ibaraki Prefecture

Kitaibaraki Lighthouse
* Ōtsu Misaki
1960. Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); white flash every 8 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house now used as a communications facility. Entire lighthouse is white. A closeup photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, a 2010 photo is available, the Coast Guard has a photo page, a Japanese web page has numerous photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory about 7 km (4.5 mi) northeast of Kitaibaraki. Accessible by road; parking provided. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-471; JP-1827; Admiralty M6496.6; NGA 4660.

Hitachi Lighthouses
* Kawaziri (Kawajiri) (2)
1951. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a photo at the top of the page; the photo at the bottom of the page is of another Kawaziri lighthouse in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Coast Guard has a photo page, Misty's Tour has two photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff about 8 km (5 mi) north of Hitachi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-251; JP-1829; Admiralty M6496.3; NGA 4668.
* Kawaziri (Kawajiri) South Breakwater
1979. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south (main) breakwater of Kawaziri port. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1382; JP-1830; Admiralty M6496.2 NGA 4672.
* Hitachi
1967. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); three white flashes every 25 s. 25 m (82 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Hiroshi Ishii's photo is at the top of this page, Hitachi City has a page for the lighthouse, Lighthouse of Japan has excellent photos, the Coast Guard has a photo page, Y. Nagai has a nice view, Misty's Tour also has a photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on a promontory on the south side of the city of Hitachi, north of the commercial harbor. Parking provided. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-127; JP-1833; Admiralty M6495.8; NGA 4688.
* Hitachi North Breakwater (Kuji Kō)
1959. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to the square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of the Kuji fishing port, at the north end of the Hitachi waterfront. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1384; JP-1835; Admiralty M6495.9; NGA 4684.
Otsu Misaki Light
Ōtsu Misaki Light, Kitaibaraki, 2006
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Hirotomo T.
Hitachi Southeast Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) red concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a detached breakwater on the east side of Hitachi harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1376; JP-1836; Admiralty M6496.03; NGA 4696.
Hitachi West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 16 m (52 ft) white concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater on the southwest side of Hitachi harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1375; JP-1835.5; Admiralty M6496; NGA 4692.
Tokai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1392; JP-1837; Admiralty M6496.02; NGA 4700.

Hitachinaka Lighthouses
* Iso Saki
1951. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 12 s. 14 m (46 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard has several photos including the one at right, Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, a 2009 photo is available, Misty's Tour has a nighttime photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory jutting into the Pacific about 15 km (9 mi) south of Hitachi, near Katsuta. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-182; JP-1839; Admiralty M6495.5; NGA 4704.
Nakaminato Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the south end of a detached breakwater protecting the entrance to the harbor of Nakaminato. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1386; JP-1840; Admiralty M6495.4; NGA 4728.
Nakaminato South Breakwater (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 9 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A view across the harbor is available, and Google has a satellite view. NGA lists a skeletal tower. Located at the end of the detached south breakwater of Nakaminato. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-1842; Admiralty M6495.3; NGA 4708.
Iso Saki Light
Iso Saki Light, Hitachinaka
Japanese Coast Guard Ibaraki Office photo

Higashiibaraki District Lighthouses
* Ōarai Misaki
1949. Inactive. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Wikimedia has a 2010 photo, another photo and a more distant view are available, and Google has a satellite view. NGA describes this light as red. Located on the beach on the east side of Ōarai harbor. Site open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty M6494.2; NGA 4732.
Ōarai Kō South Breakwater (2)
Date unknown (station established 1984). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google's satellite view shows a smaller post light. Located at the end of the long south (really east) breakwater of Ōarai harbor. Site status unknown. JP-1846.5; Admiralty M6494.2.

Kashima Lighthouses
* Kashima
1971. Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); white flash every 5 s. 32 m (105 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo from the Coast Guard's photo page is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has excellent photos, another photo is available (second photo on the page), Misty's Tour has a small photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on high ground in the Oritsu neighborhood, about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the coast and about 5 km (3 mi) north of Kashima harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-236; JP-1848; Admiralty M6493.2; NGA 4740.
* Kashima Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, continuous with a brighter light 2 s on, 2 s off. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with a larger lantern room, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Lighthouse of Japan has an excellent photo, Misty's Tour has a good photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. White light is shown northeast over the entrance channel. Located on the waterfront of Kashima harbor. The lighthouse is in an industrial area, and the Lighthouse of Japan webmaster says he used "illegal means" to get close to it. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-238; JP-1848.5; Admiralty M6492.4; NGA 4741.
* Kashima Kō Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); continuous green light. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. No lantern. A closeup photo is available, Lighthouse of Japan has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This range guides ships into a large new artificial harbor excavated from low-lying land on the south side of Kashima by Sumitomo Metals Group. Located on the south side of the entrance to the harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1378; JP-1851; Admiralty M6491.4; NGA 4750.

Kashima Light, Kashima
Japanese Coast Guard Ibaraki Office photo
* Kashima Kō Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); continuous green light. 27 m (89 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. No lantern. A photo is available, Lighthouse of Japan has photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the south side of the entrance to the harbor, 200 m (650 ft) south of the front light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1379; JP-1852; Admiralty M6491.41; NGA 4750.1.

Lighthouses of Chiba Prefecture

Chōshi Lighthouses
Ichino Shima (Chōshi Kō)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 16 m (53 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a circular base. A stairway spirals around the base to provide access to the lighthouse. Entire lighthouse is white. This lighthouse is shown in the third photo of the Coast Guard's guide page, the first light listed for Chōshi Kō. Located on a rock adjacent to the end of a detached breakwater on the south side of the entrance to the Tone River and Chōshi harbor; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1313; Admiralty M6482; NGA 4752.
Chōshi Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 (49 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round flared concrete tower attached to a small concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. This light is the fifth light pictured in the light-blue Chōshi Kō section of the Coast Guard's guide page. Located at the north end of a detached breakwater a short distance east of the Ichino Shima lighthouse; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1343; Admiralty M6482.4; NGA 4764.
Chōshi Kō North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 (49 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) round flared concrete tower with gallery, attached to a small concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. This light is the fourth light pictured in the light-blue Chōshi Kō section of the Coast Guard's guide page. Located at the north end of a detached breakwater a short distance north of the Ichino Shima lighthouse; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M6482.2; NGA 4768.
**** Inubō Saki
1874 (Richard Henry Brunton). Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); white flash every 15 s. 32 m (105 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. 1st order Fresnel lens in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. Fog siren (blast every 35 s). This is a staffed station with a 2-story communications center and other buildings; the original French 1st order Fresnel lens is on display in one of the buildings, used as a museum and visitor center. A photo is at right,the Coast Guard has a web site for the lighthouse and museum, Lighthouse of Japan has several photos, another excellent photo of the lighthouse is available, Wikimedia has photos, Michel Forand has several historic postcard views, and Google has a satellite view. This handsome and historic lighthouse is one of the oldest in Japan, and it is the country's tallest brick lighthouse. It was designed by the English lighthouse engineer Richard Henry Brunton, who intended to import all the bricks from England. However, the Japanese site supervisor Takamasa Nakazawa was able to acquire suitable bricks from the village of Takaoka a few miles to the west. The first lightkeeper was British; he served until newly-trained Japanese keepers could take over in 1878. The lighthouse and its lens were damaged during World War II; the tower was repaired and the lens was restored for the current display. (The lens now used in the tower was made in Japan.) The lighthouse stands on a promontory at the end of a peninsula that projects about 25 km (15 mi) into the Pacific, creating an important hazard to navigation. Located on a promontory about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Chōshi. Site open, tower open daily for climbing. ARLHS JPN-171; JP-1869; Admiralty M6478; NGA 4780.
Inubo Saki Light
Inubō Saki Light, Chōshi, November 2006
Flickr Creative Commons photo by nknh
Nagasaki Hana
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); continuous white light. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, a 2008 closeup and additional views are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the extreme south point of the Inubō Saki promontory; the lighthouse is surrounded by water when the tide is high. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-390; JP-1870; Admiralty M6478.4; NGA 4784.
Togawa Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 4 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the south end of a detached breakwater sheltering the entrance to Togawa harbor, in the lee of Inubō Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1340; JP-1871; Admiralty M6479; NGA 4788.
* Iioka
1956. Active; focal plane 74 m (243 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower attached to a small 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A 2009 closeup is available, Lighthouses of Japan also has a photo, Wikimedia has an excellent closeup, Misty's Tour has photos, and Google has a satellite view. Parking is available at the lighthouse, and according to Misty's Tour there is a coffeeshop in the adjoining building. Located on a south-pointing promontory at Iioka, about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Chōshi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-156; JP-1874; Admiralty M6477; NGA 4796.

Isumi Lighthouses
* Taitō Saki
1952. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); white flash every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, Misty's Tour also has a photo, a 2009 photo is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. The Taitō Saki Lighthouse Club helps maintain the lighthouse grounds and has a website (in Japanese) for the lighthouse. Located on a promontory 6 km (3.5 mi) northeast of Ōhara. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-609; JP-1875; Admiralty M6472; NGA 4800.
* Ōhara Kō (East Breakwater)
1976. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 12 m (39 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story white concrete equipment room. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater at Ōhara harbor, about 5.5 km (3.5 mi) south of the Taitō Saki lighthouse. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1330; JP-1876; Admiralty M6471; NGA 4816.
Ōhara Kō Detached Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story white concrete equipment room. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a detached breakwater extending the protection of Ōhara harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1329; JP-1875.8; Admiralty M6470.9; NGA 4818.

Katsuura Lighthouses
* #Iwawada Kō (1)
1963. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous red light with two more intense flashes every 8 s. The Lighthouse-Japan.com 2007 photo shows a 9 m (30 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room, but a distant 2009 view and Google's satellite view show a simple post light. Entire lighthouse is red. Located on the main (east) breakwater of Iwawada harbor in Onjuku, about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of Katsuura. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1316; JP-1881; Admiralty M6470.7; NGA 4824.
* Kazuea Toyohama Kō
1981. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round conical concrete tower with two galleries. Entire lighthouse is white. This is the next to last light in the light tan Ōhara section about halfway down the Coast Guard's guide page, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater of Kazuea Toyohama, on the northeast side of Katsuura. Accessible by walking the pier. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1321; JP-1882; Admiralty M6470.2; NGA 4828.
Tait
Taitō Saki Light, Ōhara
Japanese Coast Guard Chiba Office photo
* Kawatsu (Kawazu) Kō
1963. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous white light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. This is the last light in the light tan Ōhara section about halfway down the Coast Guard's guide page, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater of Kawatsu harbor, about 400 m (1/4 mi) southwest of the Kazuea Toyohama light. Accessible by walking the pier. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1320; JP-1883; Admiralty M6470.3; NGA 4832.
* Katsuura (Katuura)
1917. Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 21 m (69 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Two 1-story keeper's houses. A photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has photos, a 2008 photo is available, Misty's Tour also has a photo, a fine distant view is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a scenic promontory sheltering the east side of the harbor of Katsuura. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-245; JP-1884; Admiralty M6470; NGA 4836.

Kamogawa Lighthouses
* Kominato Kō East Breakwater
1966. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white light occulting once every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band. Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a breakwater of the picturesque small boat harbor of Kominato, about 10 km (6 mi) east of Kamogawa. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1325; JP-1887; Admiralty M6469.2; NGA 4852.
Kominato Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round red concrete tower mounted on a square concrete pier. Google has a satellite view. Located in the harbor about 300 m (330 yd) west of the east breakwater lighthouse. Accessible only by boat but easy to see from shore. Site open, tower closed. JP-1888; Admiralty M6469; NGA 4848.
* Kamogawa
1954. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery but no lantern. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, a 2009 closeup is available, Misty's Tour also has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on Ara Shima, a rocky island protecting the harbor of Kamogawa. The island is accessible from the breakwater by a footbridge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-220; JP-1897; Admiralty M6466; NGA 4880.

Minamibōsō (Cape Nojima Area) Lighthouses
Note: Nojima Saki (Cape Nojima) is the southern tip of the Bōsō peninsula. The peninsula separates Sagami Bay from the open Pacific Ocean.
Hamanabuto Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous white light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8 m (27 ft) square hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery but no lantern. Entire lighthouse is white. This is the seventh from the last light on the Coast Guard's guide page, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the base of the west breakwater at Hamanabuto, about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of Kamogawa. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1309; Admiralty M6465.4; NGA 4892.
Katsuura Light
Katsuura Light, Katsuura, February 2012
Flickr photo copyright echinocactus
used by permission
* Chikura Kō Middle Breakwater
1973. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with two more intense flashes every 8 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a breakwater at Chikura, a small port about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of Najima Saki. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1304; JP-1902; Admiralty M6461; NGA 4900.
* Chikura (Tikura) Kō
1993. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 12 m (39 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery and a large "watch room." Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, Misty's Tour has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the waterfront at Chikura. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-646; JP-1903; Admiralty M6462; NGA 4904.
* Nanaura Kō Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green neon light. 12 m (39 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. A photo is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. The front light is on a post near the water's edge. Located on a hillside above Nanaura harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1328; JP-1905; Admiralty M6459.1; NGA 4916.
* Awa Shirakama Kō
1962. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous white or red light, depending on direction, with a more intense flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rocky point at Awa Shirakama, about 6 km (3.5 mi) east of Nojima Saki, the southern tip of the Bōsō peninsula. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. ARLHS JPN-034; JP-1907; Admiralty M6458; NGA 4980.
* Otohama Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous green neon light. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The front light is on a much shorter tower. Located just off the R410 highway in Otohama, about 5 km (3 mi) east of Nojima Saki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1337; JP-1909; Admiralty M6457.4; NGA 4990.
**** Nojima (Nozima) Saki (Nojimazaki) (3)
1925 (station established 1866). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); flash every 15 s, white or red depending on direction. 29 m (95 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 3rd order clamshell Fresnel lens in use. 2-story Coast Guard station, communications buildings, and other structures. Wikimedia has a page for the lighthouse with the photo is at right, Kazuya Minami has a closeup photo, Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, the Coast Guard has a page for the lighthouse, and Google has a good satellite view. This is one of Japan's oldest and most famous light stations. The original lighthouse, built by the Shogun's government under pressure from the Western powers, was a small wood tower. It was replaced in 1870 by an octagonal brick tower built by Léonce Verny, a French engineer. That lighthouse was destroyed by the great Kantō earthquake of 1 September 1923. The present (1925) tower was heavily damaged by U.S. air raids in 1945, but was repaired within a year. The Japanese Lighthouse Association operates a museum in one of the station buildings, and a 1st order Fresnel lens formerly used in the lighthouse is on display. The Coast Guard has a webcam showing the view from the lighthouse. Huelse has historic postcard views of the 1870 lighthouse and the present lighthouse. Located at the southern tip of the Bōsō Peninsula, marking the entrance to Sagami and Tōkyō Bays. Site open, museum open daily, tower open for climbing (fee). ARLHS JPN-437; JP-1910; Admiralty M6456; NGA 4992.
Nojima Saki Light
Nojima Saki Light, Minamibōsō, March 2007
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by ガウス
Mera Hana (?)
1955. Inactive since 2009. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower, rising for a 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has photos, and Misty's Tour also has a photo. The status of this light is somewhat uncertain, since it is not seen clearly in Google's satellite view. Located on a west-pointing promontory about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of the Najima Saki lighthouse. There is a trail to the lighthouse but some local guidance is advised. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-344; ex-JP-2001; ex-Admiralty M6454; ex-NGA 4996.
* Tomisaki Kō
1966. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at Tomisaki, a small harbor in the lee of Mera Hana. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1341; JP-2002; Admiralty M6455; NGA 5000.

Tateyama Lighthouses
* Suno Saki
1919. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); flash every 15 s, alternately white and red. 15 m (49 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has excellent photos, Misty's Tour also has a photo, the Coast Guard has a page for the lighthouse, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a good satellite view. Suno Saki is a sharp, west-pointing promontory that marks the southwestern entrance to Tōkyō Bay. The lighthouse commands a spectacular view of the bay, with Mount Fuji visible on the far side. Located at the tip of the promontory, about 10 km (6 mi) west of Tateyama. Accessible by road, with parking provided; it's a 5 minute walk to the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-601; JP-2003; Admiralty M6452; NGA 5004.
* Tateyama (Okino Shima) (?)
1971. Inactive since 2009. 9.5 m (31 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Lighthouse of Japan has good photos. The status of this light is uncertain, since it is not seen in Google's satellite view of the island. Okino Shima is a small island, now joined to the mainland by a causeway, marking the entrance to the harbor of Tateyama, the port sheltered by Suno Saki. Located at the western tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1334; ex-JP-2004; ex-Admiralty M6449; ex-NGA 5008.
Funagata (Hunagata) Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater quay of Funagata. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1307; Admiralty M6448.4; NGA 5024.
Funagata (Hunagata) Hira Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 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. Located on a rocky reef about 800 m (1/2 mi) northwest of the entrance to Funagata harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1312; Admiralty M6447; NGA 5028.

Awa District Lighthouses
Katuyama Uki Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Uki Shima is an island in the mouth of Tōkyō Bay about 1.3 km (0.8 mi) off the harbor of Katuyama. Located on the highest point of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-247; JP-2011; Admiralty M6446; NGA 5032.
Suno Saki Light
Suno Saki Light, Tateyama, February 2010
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Yoshi Canopus
Katuyama Kō North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Katuyama; Google has a satellite view. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-246; JP-2012; Admiralty M6445.5; NGA 5036.
* Hota Kō
1963. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped white concrete tower. Google has a satellite view. Located on a quay connected to the north breakwater of Hota harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1311; JP-2013; Admiralty M6445; NGA 5040.

Futtsu City Lighthouses
* Hamakanaya Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the breakwater at Hamakanaya, a terminal for ferries crossing Sagami Bay to Yokosuka. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-082; Admiralty M6444; NGA 5052.
Daini Kaiho
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); flash every 5 s, white or red depending on direction. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Fog horn (two blasts every 25 s). Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Kazunori Seki has a photo, Junko Hirata's photo shows the fog horn tower to the left of the lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. Daini Kaiho ("Second Fort") is one of three forts built in the early 1800s on artificial islands to bar the entrance to Tōkyō Bay. The fort is located near the main channel about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of Yokosuka and 4 km (2.5 mi) west of a promontory on the eastern (Chiba Prefecture) coast of the bay. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-052; JP-2016; Admiralty M6368; NGA 5092.

Chiba City Lighthouses
Chiba
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); two white flashes every 30 s. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story crew quarters building and mounted on a square platform supported by four massive concrete piers. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located in Tōkyō Bay about 4 km (2.5 mi) off the Chiba waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-827; JP-2222; Admiralty M6433; NGA 5308.
Daini Kaiho Light
Daini Kaiho Light, Tōkyō Bay, Futtsu
Japanese Coast Guard Tōkyō Bay Vessel Traffic Service Center photo
Chiba Kō South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Chiba's principal harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1339; Admiralty M6434.2; NGA 5316.
Chiba Kō Itihara Detached Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 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. Located at the southwest end of the detached breakwater of Chiba's principal harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-828; Admiralty M6433.6; NGA 5312.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Fukushima | West: Tōkyō Area

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Posted September 25, 2006. Checked and revised July 16, 2012. Lighthouses: 55. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.