Lighthouses of Japan: Ōsaka Area

This page includes lighthouses of the Japanese prefecture of Ōsaka, including the greater Ōsaka metropolitan area.

Ōsaka Prefecture faces west on the eastern end of the Inland Sea (Seto Naikai), which separates Honshū from Shikoku. It is a coast crowded with port facilities. These industrialized facilities continue westward through the city of Kōbe, which is in Hyōgo Prefecture

In Japanese, the word for a lighthouse is 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 ko is a harbor. Lighthouses in Japan are operated and maintained by the Japanese Coast Guard's Maritime Safety Agency. On Honshū there is at least one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture, often 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 - Ōsaka
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 - Ōsaka
A page from a large site; unfortunately only a few Ōsaka lights are included.
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 of Region 5 - Ōsaka
Photos posted by the Fifth Coast Guard Region.
Modern Lighthouse Design
Posted by the Japan Aids to Navigation Association (JANA), this page links to descriptions and photos of interesting modern lighthouses throughout Japan.

Gaiko North Breakwater Light
Gaiko North Breakwater Light, Ōsaka, July 2009
anonymous Panoramio Creative Commons photo

Sennan District and City Lighthouses
* Fuke Kō West Breakwater
1969. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped red concrete tower. The Coast Guard has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Fuke Kō, a small harbor at the southern end of Ōsaka Bay. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1907; JP-3506; Admiralty M5958; NGA 7212.
* Fuke Kō East Breakwater
1966. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped white concrete tower. Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater of Fuke Kō. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1906; JP-3509; Admiralty M5958.2; NGA 7224.
* Tannowa Kō (2)
1997 (station established 1963). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) square tapered concrete tower, surrounded by a "skirt designed to resemble the sail of a yacht. Entire lighthouse is red. A Coast Guard photo is at right, JANA has a page for the light, and Google has a satellite view. Tannowa is a well known sailing center, and the "sail" was added to the light in 1997 to create a symbol for the town. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Tannowa harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1930; JP-3510; Admiralty M5957.7; NGA 7228.
Ozaki Kō Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light with gallery, rising from a square 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted red. The Coast Guard has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the outer breakwater of Ozaki, a small port at the southern end of Ōsaka Bay. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M5957.7; NGA 7230.6.
Tannowa Ko Light
Tannowa Kō Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Kanku (Kansai International Airport) North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete block tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. The tower is floodlit at night. A photo is available, the lighthouse is at the right edge of a view across the harbor, it is barely visible in an aerial photo (2/3 of the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. Ōsaka's airport, Kansai International, is built on an artificial island in Ōsaka Bay about 40 km (25 mi) south of the city. Most travelers arrive at the airport by monorail or express trains, but there is also a high speed ferry service that brings travelers across the bay from Kōbe (on the north) and from Sumoto on Awaji island to the west. This lighthouse marks the entrance to the small ferry harbor, at the north end of the artificial island. Located at the end of the curved breakwater on the north side of the ferry harbor. Site and tower closed, but there must be excellent views from the ferries. ARLHS JPN-1913; Admiralty M5957.65; NGA 7238.
* Izumisano ("Hannan") Kō Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light with gallery, rising from a square 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted red. The Coast Guard has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This light and the next one are listed as "Hannan Ko" lights by NGA, but Hannan Kō is farther north in Kishiwada. Located at the end of the outer breakwater of Izumisano, which is just east of Kansai International Airport. Accessible by walking the pier (which is very popular with fishermen). Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M5957.52; NGA 7235.
Izumisano ("Hannan") Kō Detached (Offing) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. A distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the detached outer breakwater of Izumisano. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1911; Admiralty M5957.2; NGA 7240.

Kishiwada City Lighthouses
Hannan Kō Outer (Detached) Breakwater South End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. A photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. This breakwater was formerly detached, but expansion of the port has brought it in contact with the shore. Site status unknown. Admiralty M5955.5; NGA 7248.
Kishiwada West Breakwater South End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower, probably with lantern and gallery. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. The breakwater is about 1.5 km (1 mi) long, protecting the Kishiwada waterfront. Located at the south end of the breakwater. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M5955.04; NGA 7264.
Kishiwada (West Breakwater North End)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); three red flashes every 13 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. The lighthouse is visible in a sunset photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the north end of the detached west breakwater of Kishiwada, an industrial city about 20 km (13 mi) south of Ōsaka. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1914; Admiralty M5955; NGA 7260.
Kishiwada East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three green flashes every 13 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower, probably with lantern and gallery. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on the short east breakwater, which projects from a major quay at Kishiwada. Site status unknown. Admiralty M5955.2; NGA 7268.
Hannan Outer Breakwater Light
Hannan Kō Outer Breakwater South End Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Senboku District Lighthouses
Senboku Wharf Northeast Corner
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the northeast corner of a large new wharf area constructed on fill at Senboku, about 5 km (3 mi) north of Kishiwada. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1928; Admiralty M5953.6; NGA 7272.
Senboku East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light rising from a square concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a good satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater of Senboku. Site status unknown. Admiralty M5953; NGA 7280.

Sakai City Lighthouse
Sakai Hamadera South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. The Coast Guard has a photo that is probably of this lighthouse, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the short south breakwater at the entrance to the south harbor of Sakai, on the south side of Ōsaka. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1927; Admiralty M5951; NGA 7288.
Sakai Hamadera North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the short north breakwater at the entrance to the south harbor of Sakai, on the south side of Ōsaka. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1926; JP-3588; Admiralty M5950; NGA 7284.
* Sakai
1877. Inactive since 1968. 11 m (36 ft) hexagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Motoharu Sumi's photo is at right, Giles Thomas has a good closeup, and Trane DeVore has a photo. Sakai is justifiably proud of this lighthouse, which was built by the town government at a time when Japan had fewer than 30 Western-style lighthouses. In 2006, the historic lighthouse was restored and relocated to a new pier; Google's satellite view shows the pier under construction. The lighthouse reopened to the public in March 2007. Located on the southern seawall of Sakai.
Sakai Detached Breakwater South End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the south end of a detached breakwater on the south side of the entrance to the north harbor of Sakai. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1925; Admiralty M5939.8; NGA 7292.
Sakai Light
1877 Sakai Lighthouse, March 2009
Creative Commons photo by Motoharu Sumi
Sakai Detached Breakwater North End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the seaward end of a detached breakwater on the south side of the entrance to the north harbor of Sakai. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1924; JP-3589; Admiralty M5939.7; NGA 7296.

Ōsaka City Lighthouses
Ōsaka South Harbor North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located at the end of a short breakwater at southern end of the harbor, across from the Sakai waterfront. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1922; Admiralty M5940; NGA 7304.
Gaiko South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. A Coast Guard photo is at right, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater on the south side of the entrance to Ōsaka's south harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1921; Admiralty M5939.4; NGA 7316.
Gaiko North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at the top of this page, and Google has a good satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater on the north side of the entrance to Ōsaka's south harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1920; Admiralty M5939; NGA 7312.
Ōsaka Main South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; red light, characteristics unknown. Approx. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The Coast Guard has a photo that probably shows an earlier South Breakwater Light. In 2010 the lighthouse was under restoration to correct a lean apparently caused by a failure in the underlying breakwater. Located on a short breakwater on the south side of the entrance to Ōsaka's traditional harbor. Site and tower closed.
Ōsaka Main North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; green light, characteristics unknown. Approx. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The Coast Guard has a photo that apparently shows an earlier North Breakwater Light. Located on a short breakwater on the north side of the entrance to Ōsaka's traditional harbor. Site and tower closed.
Ōsaka (Radar Tower)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); white flash every 5 s. 50 m (164 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a round skeletal tower and two galleries supporting various equipment at the top. The equipment presumably includes harbor control radar. Entire lighthouse is unpainted gray concrete. The Coast Guard has a photo, Kiso has a good photo, the tower is the background of another photo, and Google has an excellent satellite view. This tower probably replaced a historic lighthouse located on the original shoreline of the area. Located at the southeast corner of a large artificial island being created between the north and south harbors of Ōsaka. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-814; JP-3602; Admiralty M5932; NGA 7348.
Gaiko South Breakwater Light
Gaiko South Breakwater Light
Japanese Coast Guard photo
Ōsaka North Harbor North Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); three red flashes every 12 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round red concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on the north point of Hokukō Island, on the south side of the North Harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1918; Admiralty M5906; NGA 7332.
Nishinomiya Breakwater Southeast End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green flash every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. The Coast Guard has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Nishinomiya Breakwater is a long east-west detached breakwater parallel to the coast between Ōsaka and Kōbe. Located at the east (Ōsaka) end of the breakwater, off the north harbor of Ōsaka. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M5899; NGA 7400.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: South: Wakayama | West: Kōbe Area

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Posted December 22, 2006. Checked and revised September 21, 2011. Lighthouses: 26. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.