Lighthouses of Japan: Shizuoka

This page lists lighthouses of the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka, which faces south on the Pacific Ocean southwest of Tokyo. Shizuoka Prefecture includes some of Japan's best known and most scenic coastlines; the arrowhead-shaped Izu Peninsula shelters Suruga Bay, with the famous cone of Mount Fuji on the northern horizon.

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. 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 - Shizuoka
A comprehensive site, although almost entirely in Japanese. There's also a page on Lighthouses by R. H. Brunton listing the earliest Western-style Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouse-Japan.com - Shizuoka
Another comprehensive site, in Japanese, with good photos and current notes.
Lighthouses - Shizuoka
Another comprehensive site for lighthouse photos.
Kiso's Lighthouses
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour
Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Lighthouses in Shizuoka Prefecture
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Shimoda Lighthouse Information
Photos and visitor information for five accessible lighthouses of the Izu Peninsula, posted by the Shimoda Coast Guard Office.
Shimizu Lighthouse Information
Photos and data posted by the Shimizu Coast Guard Office, responsible for northern and western Suruga Bay.
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 (Mikomoto Shima, Irō Saki, and Omae Saki).
Japan: Modern Lighthouses
Historic postcard images posted by Michel Forand.
Honshū East Coast
A portion of an undated Japanese Coast Guard light list; it includes the Shizuoka Prefecture lights.

Omae Saki Light
Omae Saki Light, Omaezaki
Japanese Coast Guard Shimizu Office photo

Izu Peninsula Lighthouses

Atami City Lighthouses
* Atami Breakwater
1976. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light with two more intense flashes every 7 s. 11 m (36 ft) round, slightly flared white concrete tower attached to a small 1-story equipment room. A photo is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater at Atami. Accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS JPN-1424; JCG-2424; Admiralty M6314; NGA 5432.
* Aziro (Ajiro, Izu Aziro)
1956. Active (?); focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete tower mounted on a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com also has photos, and another photo is available, but the tower is not seen in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Aziro is a small port on Sagami Bay at the northeastern corner of the Izu Peninsula, about 7 km (4.5 mi) south of Atami. According to Lighthouse-Japan.com, this light has been deactivated, but it remains on the international light lists. Located on a bluff above the port. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1423; JCG-2427; Admiralty M6310; NGA 5436.
* Aziro Breakwater
1981. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available, but Google's fuzzy satellite view doesn't reveal the tower. Located at the end of the main breakwater at Aziro. Accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS JPN-197; JCG-2426; Admiralty M6311; NGA 5440.
** Hatsushima (Hatsu Shima, Hatu Sima)
1959. Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); flash every 10 s, alternately red and green. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story brick equipment building. Recently, the lighthouse was has been surrounded by a spiral stairway leading to an observation platform, as seen in the Coast Guard's photo above. Lighthouse painted white; equipment building is unpainted brick with white trim. Lighthouses of Japan has a page with good photos, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Hatsushima is a small island in the western entrance to Sagami Bay about 8 km (5 mi) east southeast of Aziro. A popular resort, the island is accessible by passenger ferry from Atami. Located on the highest point of the island, accessible by hiking or bicycle (the Coast Guard says it is a 10-minute walk to the station). Site open, and visitors can climb the spiral stairway to the observation deck. ARLHS JPN-093; JCG-2425; Admiralty M6309; NGA 5444.
Hatsushima Light
Hatsushima Light, Atami
Japanese Coast Guard Shimoda Office photo

Itō City Lighthouses
* Itō Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower, attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment room. Naoki Miyoshi has a photo and a distant view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Itō, a port about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Atami. Accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS JPN-1430; JCG-2430; Admiralty M6306; NGA 5452.
* Kawana Saki
1957. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 13 m (43 ft) triangular skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has excellent photos, another photo is available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the cape. This lighthouse has an unusual, modern design quite unlike traditional skeletal towers. It is built on a prominent cape adjacent to a popular seaside golf course about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Itō; James Spence has a photo taken from the course. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-249; JCG-2433; Admiralty M6304; NGA 5464.
*** Kadowaki Saki
1960. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white flash every 10 s. 25 m (82 ft) cylindrical concrete tower, rising from a 1-story building and carrying a large observation room topped by a lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has photos, Misty's Tour has additional photos, a view from the sea is available, Wikimedia has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view of the cape. Known as the Kadowaki Saki Lighthouse Observatory, this modern lighthouse is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Izu peninsula. It commands a sweeping view southeast toward Izu Oshima, the northernmost of the Izu Islands. The approach to the lighthouse (on foot or by bicycle) crosses a suspension bridge 23 m (75 ft) above a rocky inlet of the sea. Located on a rocky promontory about 8 km (5 mi) south of Itō. Site open, tower and observatory open daily. ARLHS JPN-207; JCG-2434; Admiralty M6303; NGA 5468.

Eastern Kamo District Lighthouses
* Inatori Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to a small 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. A photo showing both Inatori harbor lighthouses is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the east end of the detached breakwater of Inatori, a small port in the town of Higashi Izu. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1427; JCG-2438; Admiralty M6300.6; NGA 5520.

Kadowaki Saki Lighthouse Observatory, Itō, January 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by hakluyt
* Inatori Kō East Breakwater
1971. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 10 m (33 ft) round, slightly flared white concrete tower attached to a small 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo showing both Inatori harbor lighthouses is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Inatori. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1428; JCG-2439; Admiralty M6300.4; NGA 5512.
* Inatori Misaki
1972. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); four white flashes every 30 s. 19 m (62 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. The Coast Guard has a fine photo, Lighthouse-Japan.com has good photos, another photo is available, Misty's Tour has additional photos, a 2007 photo is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the station. The lighthouse is close to a popular hot spring and "natural animal park," so it is often visited by tourists. Located on a promontory about 14 km (9 mi) northeast of Shimoda. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-166; JCG-2440; Admiralty M6300; NGA 5504.

Shimoda City Lighthouses
* Tsumeki (Tumeki) Saki
1937. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white flash every 4 s. 17 m (56 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has lovely photos, a fine closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of a peninsula about 6 km (4 mi) southeast of Shimoda. Accessible by a short hike from a parking area at the end of the road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-690; JCG-2441; Admiralty M6296; NGA 5524.
* Suzaki Ebisu (Yebisu) Shima
1972. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, occulting once every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has good photos, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This is a leading light for ships arriving in Shimoda. Located on a small island about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of the harbor of Shimoda, near the village of Suzaki. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, open to visitors on foot. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-605; JCG-2443; Admiralty M6294; NGA 5532.
Shimoda (Susari Saki)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 8 m (26 ft) robust concrete post light attached to a 1-story square equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A distant view is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the base of a steep promontory at the eastern entrance to the harbor of Shimoda. Probably accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-567; JCG-2444; Admiralty M6292; NGA 5536.
* Shimoda East Breakwater
1975. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped red concrete tower. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east inner breakwater of Shimoda Bay. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1444; JCG-2445; Admiralty M6293.3; NGA 5540.
* Shimoda West Breakwater
1971. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped white concrete tower. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west inner breakwater of Shimoda Bay, which is interrupted near its end by a small island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2446; Admiralty M6293; NGA 5544.
Tsumeki Saki Light
Tsumeki Saki Light, Shimoda
Japanese Coast Guard Shimoda Office photo

Western Kamo District Lighthouses
Mikomoto Shima
1870 (Richard Henry Brunton). Active; focal plane 51 m (267 ft); two white flashes every 16 s. 23 m (75 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a circular 1-story stone keeper's house. 3rd order (?) Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. Lighthouse-Japan.com has excellent photos, Wikimedia has a photo, a view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. Inaugurated on 11 November 1870, this is the oldest Western-style lighthouse surviving in its original form in Japan. It was declared a national historic site in 1969, during celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of its construction. Lighthouse-Japan.com also has photos taken during a restoration of the lighthouse in 2008. Located on a small rocky islet about 12 km (7.5 mi) south southwest of Shimoda harbor and 9 km (5.5 mi) southwest of the Suzaki Ebisu Shima Light. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-353; JCG-2447; Admiralty M6290; NGA 5548.
** Irō Saki (Iro Saki, Irozaki, Cape Iro) (2)
1933 (station established 1871). Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); flash every 8 s, alternately red and white. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Bahia Simons-Lane has a good closeup, Kazuya Minami's photo shows the steep site, a third photo shows the approach to the lighthouse, Lighthouse-Japan.com has excellent photos, Forand has a historic postcard view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This historic light station marks the southernmost tip of the Izu peninsula, a very dangerous area for navigation. In good weather, visitors can follow a walkway down to land's end. The original lighthouse was demolished after being heavily damaged by a typhoon in 1932. Located atop a precipitous slope at the tip of the Izu Peninsula, about 12 km (7.5 mi) southwest of Shimoda, commanding a spectacular view of the open Pacific. Accessible by road and a short walk. Site open, tower closed except for two open houses each year, one in July and the other on the first Saturday of November. ARLHS JPN-176; JCG-2448; Admiralty M6270; NGA 5572.
* Irō Saki Directional
1972. Active; focal plane 64 m (210 ft); continuous light, white, red or green light depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and a small gallery, mounted on a square concrete base. Lighthouse-Japan.com has an excellent closeup, and a more distant view is available. Located on the heights above the historic lighthouse, this light displays narrow sectors to the northeast to guide westbound ships around the tip of the peninsula. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2449; Admiralty M6270.4; NGA 5576.
Mera Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with flared top, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. The light is not seen in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Located on a detached breakwater at the entrance to Mera harbor, in the lee of Irō Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1434; JCG-2450.1; Admiralty M6269.6; NGA 5580.
* Hagati (Hagachi) Saki
1977. Active; focal plane 116 m (381 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical steel tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This important lighthouse marks the eastern entrance to Suruga Bay. Lighthouse-Japan.com has closeup photos, another photo and a view from the sea are available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The author of Lighthouses of Japan confesses that he had great difficulty finding the unmarked road to the lighthouse, but he succeeded eventually. Located on a promontory about 8 km (5 mi) south of Matsuzaki. Site open if you can find it, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-076; JCG-2451; Admiralty M6269.5; NGA 5584.
Irō Saki Light
Anniversary celebration at Irō Saki Light, 7 November 2010
Japanese Coast Guard Shimoda Office photo
Matsuzaki Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a small 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. A sunset photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at Matsuzaki. Site status unknown. JCG-2452; Admiralty M6269.3; NGA 5588.
* Nishina (Nisina)
1970. Inactive since 2009. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower, painted white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has photos, a distant view is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. The former Coast Guard page said that the lighthouse is accessible by a walk of about 25 minutes from the highway. Located on a promontory on the north side of the entrance to the harbor of Matsuzaki and the south side of the entrance to the harbor of Nishina. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-419; JCG-2454; ex-Admiralty M6269.24; ex-NGA 5596.
Nishina Kō (2?)
Date unknown (around 2009?). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a small 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. This is apparently a new light, since it is not seen in a 2008 photo of the harbor entrance. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of a detached breakwater at Nishina. Accessible only by boat. JCG-2453; Admiralty M6269.27; NGA 5592.
* Tago Kō
1938. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a small 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the location. Located at the end of the north breakwater at Tago. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1447; JCG-2455.3; Admiralty M6269.22; NGA 5602.
Tagoshima (Taka Shima, Tago Shima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower attached to a 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. The tower is at the far right in a distant view from the sea, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located atop an island at the end of a dangerous reef about 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Matsuzaki. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1446; JCG-2455; Admiralty M6269.2; NGA 5600.
Arari Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower mounted on a round 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. A good daytime photo is available, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, an osprey flies by the lighthouse in the photo from Misty's Tour, another closeup is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater at Arari, a small port about 7 km (4.5 mi) north of Matsuzaki. Site status unknown, but the lighthouse can be seen easily from anywhere in the harbor area. ARLHS JPN-025; JCG-2456; Admiralty M6269; NGA 5604.
Arari Kō Light
Arari Kō Light, Nishiizu, August 2006
Flickr Creatve Commons photo by Nemo's great uncle

Izu City Lighthouses
* Heda Kō
1952. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 12 m (39 ft) two-stage round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, M. Harada has a good photo, another photo is available, and Lighthouse-Japan.com has photos, but the tower is not conspicuous in Google's satellite view. Located at the entrance to the harbor of Heda, about 7 km (4.5 mi) north of Toi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-099; JCG-2458; Admiralty M6268.2; NGA 5616.
* Heda Kō Breakwater
1965. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 8.5 m (8 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The tower is hard to find in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Located on the Heda waterfront. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2459; Admiralty M6268.4; NGA 5620.

Numazu City Lighthouses
Izu Ose Saki
1957. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower mounted on a round 1-story concrete base. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has photos, the Coast Guard has a photo (second photo on the page), another closeup is available, Wikimedia has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a cape at the northwestern corner of the Izu Peninsula. It is not clear if there is road access to this site, but the light should be accessible by a walk of 1 km (0.6 mi) or less. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-200; JCG-2460; Admiralty M6267.7; NGA 5664.
Awa Shima (Izu Awashima)
1976. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light with gallery rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Lighthouse colored with horizontal red and white bands. The Coast Guard has a photo (third photo on the page), and Google has a satellite view. Awashima is a small, scenic island in the northeastern corner of Suraga Bay. Located on the northern tip of Awashima, on the ground of the Awashima Hotel. Water taxi service to the islands should be available. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2462; Admiralty M6267.6; NGA 5656.
Shizuura Kō
1971. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Another photo is available, Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of a breakwater at Shizuura, 2.5 km (1.5 mi) northeast of Awashima. Accessible in calm weather by walking a very narrow pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2464; Admiralty M6267.5; NGA 5648.
Heda Kō Light
Heda Kō Light and Mount Fuji
Japanese Coast Guard Shimizu Office photo

Northern and Western Suraga Bay Lighthouses

Fuji City Lighthouses
Note: Tagonoura is an industrial port with a very scenic location at the head of Suruga Bay and at the foot of Mount Fuji. The harbor, built by dredging wetlands, is artificial, with short breakwaters on either side of the entrance.
Tagonoura Kō East Breakwater
1962. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower, painted red. This light is at the left of Kosho Owa's sunset photo at right, and Google has a very fuzzy satellite view. Locate at the end of the east breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1448; JCG-2467; Admiralty M6264; NGA 5624.
Tagonoura Range Front (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); continuous green light. 40 m (131 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted white. The original light was described as a 17 m (56 ft) round white concrete tower. The Tagonoura Range Lights are aimed lengthwise down the harbor. Located on the waterfront at the head of Tagonoura harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1449; JCG-2469; Admiralty M6265; NGA 5632.
Tagonoura Range Rear (2)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); continuous green light. 46 m (151 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted white. The original light was described as a 23 m (75 ft) round white concrete tower. Located 215 m (700 ft) northwest of the front light. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1450; Admiralty M6265.1; NGA 5636.
Tagonoura Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 16 m (52 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This light is in the background of Kosho Owa's sunset photo at right, , and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1451; JCG-2468; Admiralty M6264.2; NGA 5628.
Tagonoura Breakwater Lights
Sunset at the Tagonoura Breakwater Lights, January 2011
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Kosho Owa

Shizuoka City (Shimizu Port) Lighthouses
* Yui Kō
1966. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located midway on the short north breakwater of Yui harbor, at the northwestern corner of Suruga Bay. ARLHS JPN-1459; JCG-2471; Admiralty M6263; NGA 5668.
Shimizu Kō Outer Breakwater South End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); three red flashes every 13 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. A good photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the south end of the detached main outer breakwater of Shimizu; the entrance to the harbor is between this light and the Miho Breakwater Light (next entry). Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-564; JCG-2477; Admiralty M6249.4; NGA 5692.
* Shimizu Ma Saki
1936. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story square concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is white. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on a sandy point inside the harbor entrance, about 800 m (1/2 mi) west of the Miho Breakwater Light (next entry). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-821; JCG-2475; Admiralty M6249; NGA 5700.
Shimizu Miho Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); three green flashes every 13 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has good photos, R. Kossler has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the outer end of a detached breakwater off the end of the Miho peninsula, which shelters the harbor of Shimizu. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed, but there's a good view from the beach opposite the inner end of the breakwater. ARLHS JPN-563; JCG-2474; Admiralty M6248.4; NGA 5704.
* Miho Saki (Shimizu)
1912. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 19 m (62 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery. The lighthouse appears to be unpainted white concrete; lantern painted white. The Coast Guard's photo appears at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has photos, another good photo is available, Forand has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This is said to be the oldest steel-reinforced concrete lighthouse in Japan. Located on the eastern point of the Miho peninsula in Shimizu. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-822; JCG-2473; Admiralty M6248; NGA 5708.

Miho Saki (Shimizu) Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Mochimune Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small concrete equipment shelter. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Mochimune is a fishing port about 15 km (9 mi) southwest of central Shimuzu. Located at the east end of the detached breakwater of Mochimune. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1436; JCG-2483; Admiralty M6244; NGA 5724.

Yaizu City Lighthouse
Yaizu East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. A photo is available (right edge of the page), and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater at Yaizu, a port about 20 km (13 mi) southwest of Shimizu. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1455; JCG-2485; Admiralty M6239.5; NGA 5740.
Kogawa North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 13 m (43 ft) white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater guarding the southern entrance to the harbors of Kogawa and Yaizu. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1431; JCG-2488; Admiralty M6239; NGA 5744.

Makinohara City Lighthouse
Sagara Kō (East Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light with two more intense flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) robust concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Sagara, a fishing port at the southwestern corner of Suraga Bay. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1440; JCG-2491; Admiralty M6235; NGA 5760.

Southwest Coast (Pacific Ocean) Lighthouses

Omaezaki City Lighthouses
Omaezaki Kō West Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 10.5 m (34 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Omaezaki Kō is a modern port just inside Cape Omae; Honda automobiles are shipped from the port. This light is located at the east end of a detached outer breakwater of the harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2491.8; Admiralty M6234.7; NGA 5768.
Omaezaki Kō West Middle Breakwater
1978. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. This light is located at the north end of a detached breakwater in the inner portion of the harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-2492; Admiralty M6234.5; NGA 5770.
**** Omae Saki (Omaezaki) (2)
1874 (Richard Henry Brunton). Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 10 s. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery. A semicircular visitor reception building is attached to the base of the tower. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo appears at the top of this page, Lighthouse-Japan.com has excellent photos, Misty's Tour has another photo, another good photo is available, Forand has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This beautiful and historic lighthouse is one of the first Western-style lighthouses in Japan built by the British engineer Richard Henry Brunton; it replaced a much older Edo-era wood lighthouse. The lighthouse guards the western entrance to Suruga Bay and commands an impressive view of the Pacific to the south, Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji to the north. Located on the tip of the cape about 40 km (25 mi) east of Hamamatsu. Site open, tower open daily. ARLHS JPN-487; JCG-2495; Admiralty M6228; NGA 5778.
Gozen Iwa
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google has no satellite view. Apparently located on an isolated rock about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) east of Omae Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1425; JCG-2496; Admiralty M6230; NGA 5780.

Hamamatsu City Lighthouses
* Kakezuka (Tenryu Kawa, "Mound Lighthouse")
1880 (rebuilt and relocated in 2002). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 16 m (52 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, raised on a conical concrete base. Entire lighthouse painted white. The Coast Guard's photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has good photos, Misty's Tour has additional very good photos, and Google has a satellite view. In 2002 this historic iron lighthouse was relocated (probably to escape beach erosion) and placed on a new base atop a circular mound; ever since, it has been called the Mound Lighthouse. Located on the east side of the entrance to the Tenryu River (kawa) in Iwada, south of Hamamatsu. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-212; JCG-2499; Admiralty M6224; NGA 5792.
* Maisaka
1964. Active; focal plane 137 m (121 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 28 m (92 ft) round cylindrical conctere tower, flared near the top, with lantern and gallery; lantern with a sharp-pointed conical roof. Entire lighthouse painted white. The Coast Guard's photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has good photos, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on the east side of the entrance to Hamana Lake (actually a lagoon converted into a harbor), about 12 km (7.5 mi) southwest of Hamamatsu. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-327; JCG-2501; Admiralty M6219; NGA 5800.
Hamana Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped red concrete tower. Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of a short detached breakwater on the east side of the entrance to the Hamana lagoon. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-327; JCG-2502; Admiralty M6221.2; NGA 5808.


Kakezuka Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Maisaka Light
Maisaka Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: Northeast: Tōkyō Area | South : Nanpō Islands | West: Nagoya

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Posted November 5, 2006. Checked and revised August 4, 2012. Lighthouses: 51. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.