Lighthouses of Japan: Okayama and Hiroshima

This page lists lighthouses of the Japanese prefectures of Okayama and Hiroshima, located near the southwestern end of the main island of Honshu. Okayama and Hiroshima face south on the Inland Sea (Seto Naikai), which is not a single body of water but a network of sounds and channels separating Honshu from Shikoku. Hiroshima is the largest port of this region; other important ports (east to west) include Okayama, Fukuyama, Onomichi, and Kure. 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 Honshu there is at least one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture, often two or more. 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 F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112. What's Hot:

Mu Shima Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

General Sources

Lighthouses in Japan

A comprehensive site, although almost entirely in Japanese. It's easiest to use the pages for each prefecture: Okayama | Hiroshima. There's also a page on Lighthouses by R. H. Brunton listing the earliest Western-style Japanese lighthouses.

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.

Lighthouse Photo Gallery

Photos from the web site of the Sixth Coast Guard Region.

Onomichi Area Lighthouses

Photos and descriptions of major lighthouses posted by the Onomichi Coast Guard Office.

Kure Area Lighthouses

A small collection of photos posted by the Kure Coast Guard Office.

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.

 

Lighthouses of Okayama Prefecture

Otsabu (Otabu) Shima

1991. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) white concrete tower with gallery. No closeup photo available. Located on a small island in the northwest corner of Harima Bay about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of Ako. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-467; JP-3901.1; Admiralty F5754.85; NGA 7826.

Ki Shima

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available. Located on a small island about 3 km (2 mi) southeast of Ushimado. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-1886; Admiralty F5752.2; NGA 7844.

Ushimado Ko

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous white light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower with a small gallery. A photo is available. Located on a rocky point on the northwest side of the island sheltering the harbor of Ushimado, about 1 km (0.6 mi) east of the town's waterfront. May be accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-1903; Admiralty F5751.8; NGA 7848.

* Ushimado Ko Breakwater

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) white concrete post light rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment room. A photo is available in which the light is seen in the upper left corner. Located at the end of the breakwater at Ushimado, a small and very scenic port about 25 km (15 mi) east southeast of Okayama. The light appears to be accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1904; Admiralty F5752; NGA 7852.

Yomogi Saki

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is white. Located at the foot of a promontory about 20 km (13 mi) southeast of Okayama. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1905; JP-3921; Admiralty F5751.6; NGA 7856.

Kome Saki

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (30 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available. Located on the promontory on the west side of the entrance to Okayama. Site status unknown. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-284; Admiralty F5748.6; NGA 8040.

Ohiru Shima

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) 2-stage round concrete tower with gallery. The lower stage appears to be a 5 m (16 ft) round concrete lighthouse; the lantern was removed and replaced with a 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical stage. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on a small island in a narrow passage about 16 km (10 mi) south of Okayama. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JP-4026; Admiralty F5748.6; NGA 8040.

Kurakake Hana

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete pillar with gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment house. Kiso also has a distant view. Located at the southern point of an island about 5 km (3 mi) south of Ohiru Shima. Site status unknown. JP-4025; Admiralty F5747.6; NGA 8064.

Kusumi (Kusume) Hana

1942. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); one short and one long green flash every 11 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, with gallery. Entire lighthouse painted green. Seen in the background of the linked photo is the Shimotsui-Seto Bridge, the northernmost in a chain of six bridges connecting Honshu and Shikoku. The lighthouse is located at the end of a sharp promonotory about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of the north end of the bridge. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-317; Admiralty F5737; NGA 8114.

Shimotsui Ko

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous red light with two more intense flashes every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, attached to a square 1-story equipment room. Lighthouse painted red. A small photo is available (about 1/3 of the way down the page). Located at the end of the breakwater mole at Shimotsui, a short distance west of the north end of the Shimotsui-Seto Bridge. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1899; Admiralty F5735; NGA 8118.

Habushi (Habusi) Iwa

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 15 m (49 ft) round stone tower with double gallery and an enclosed equipment cabinet between the galleries. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. Located on an isolated rock in the Inland Sea about 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Sakaide, Shikoku. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JP-4228; Admiralty F5504; NGA 8240.

Shirashi (Okinosiraisi) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) tower, consisting of an 8 m (26 ft) round tower with gallery topped by a 7 m (23 ft) post light. Entire lighthouse painted white. No photo available. This is one of several lights guiding ships through a particularly difficult and narrow passage in the Inland Sea. Located on a skerry obstructing a narrow channel about 8 km (5 mi) south of Kasaoka. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1896; Admiralty F5732; NGA 8300. Hyaken (Hyakken) Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13m (43 ft); one short and one long green flash every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Entire lighthouse painted green. A Coast Guard photo is at right. Not to be confused with the Hyaken Shima Light (see below), this is one of several lights guiding ships through a particularly difficult and narrow passage in the Inland Sea. Located about 400 m (1/4 mi) northwest of the Shiraisi light. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F5731.9; NGA 8304. Mu Shima 1922. Active; focal plane 70 m (230 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's photo appears above. This lighthouse stands at the eastern entrance to Hiiuchi Bay, one of the wider sections of the Inland Sea. Located on an island about 6 km (3.5 mi) northwest of Hako Saki on Shikoku. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-375; JP-4401; Admiralty F5500; NGA 8380.

Hyaken Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Lighthouses of Hiroshima Prefecture

Onomichi Area Lighthouses
Abuto Saki

1958. Active; focal plane 88 m (289 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Kiso has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is at the tip of a peninsula, marking a narrow strait between the mainland and the island of Hakosaki. Located about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Onomichi. Site status unknown; there does not appear to be good road access to this area. ARLHS JAP-001; JP-4445; Admiralty F5728.5; NGA 8424.

Hakosaki Ko Breakwater

1990 (relocated in 1997). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8 m (28 ft) concrete post light mounted atop a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted red. The light was originally located at the south end of the main detached breakwater of Hakosaki Ko; it was relocated to the south end of an additional detached breakwater built to provide more protection to the harbor entrance. Google has a satellite view. Note: not to be confused with the much better known Hako Saki Light in Kagawa Prefecture on the other side of the Inland Sea. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1730; Admiralty F5728.7; NGA 8428.

* Onomichi (Onomiti)

1933. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round 2-stage cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. The western entrance to the harbor of Onomichi is through a narrow channel between the mainland and the island of Mukai Shima. This lighthouse is on the south side of the channel (on the island) to guide ships through the channel. The island is accessible by a bridge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-491; JP-4460; Admiralty F5722; NGA 8452.

* Usino Ura

1957. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (33 ft) narrow round concrete tower with gallery, mounted atop a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. Located near the northwestern point of Mukai Shima, marking the entrance to the strait leading to Onomichi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-727; JP-4461; Admiralty F5723; NGA 8456.

*** Ohama Saki 1897. Reactivated (inactive 1910-1954); focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. In the background of the photo at right is the Innoshima Bridge, one of nine bridges on the Nishi-Seto Expressway connecting Honshu and Shikoku. The bridge connects Mukai Shima to Inno Shima. Another photo is available, Kiso has a good closeup, and Coast Guard has a page with several small photos. When the lighthouse was deactivated in 1910, the station was concerted to a tidal signal station. Recently the old tidal station has been converted to a popular lighthouse museum. As a result, this relatively minor light is now one of the best known lighthouses of the Inland Sea. The original lantern of the Tyodayu Syo light is displayed on the grounds. The lighthouse is located on a promontory on the east side of the island of Inno Shima, just north of the Innoshima Bridge. Site open, museum and tower open but the schedule is not known. ARLHS JAP-453; JP-4468; Admiralty F5724; NGA 8468. Tyodayu Syo 1894 (daybeacon established 1880; rebuilt in 1921). Active; focal plane 9 m (28 ft); quick-flashing white light. 11 m (36 ft) round strongly conical stonne tower attached to a small equipment room, mounted on a stone and concrete pier. Upper half of tower painted black, lower half yellow. Kiso has a closeup. In 1894 a lantern was added to the beacon. In 1921 the tower was rebuilt to accommodate an acetylene-powered light. The original lantern is now displayed at the Ohama Saki Lighthouse Museum, and the present light is powered by batteries. Located on a shoal about 3 km (2 mi) northwest of the Ohama Saki Light. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-706; JP-4471; Admiralty F5720; NGA 8472.

Ohama Saki Light and Innoshima Bridge Japanese Coast Guard photo

* Sagi Shima

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white light occulting once every 8 s. 7 m (23 ft) round white concrete tower. Sagi Shima is an island northwest of Inno Shima and south of the port of Mihara. The island is accessible by ferry. Located at the northeastern point of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-521; JP-4473; Admiralty F5718; NGA 8480.

Kosagi Shima

1896. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 4 s. 6.5 m (21 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Kiso has a good closeup. Clearly a sibling of the better known Ohama Saki Light. This lighthouse is located on a small island off the northwestern tip of Sagi Shima. Site status unknown; the island is probably accessible by ferry. ARLHS JAP-289; JP-4475; Admiralty F5716; NGA 8488.

* Kone Shima

1897. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 4.3 m (14 ft) round stone tower with double gallery; the lantern has been removed and replaced by a short post light. Entire lighthouse painted white. A diminutive sibling of the Ohama Shima and Kosagi Shima Lights. Kone Shima is an island west of Sagi Shima, accessible by bridge. Located at the northern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-273; JP-4477; Admiralty F5714; NGA 8496.

* Okuno Shima

1892. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 3 s on, 3 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Kiso has a closeup. Another in the chain of historic lights marking the northern channel of the Inland Sea west of Onomichi. Okuno Shima is a large island to the west southwest of Inno Shima; it is one of the islands crossed by the Nishi-Seto Expressway connecting Honshu and Shikoku. Located at northern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-458; JP-4481; Admiralty F5712; NGA 8504.

Kure Area Lighthouses
* Mebaru Saki

1897. Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); continuous light, red or white depending on direction. 4.5 m (15 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Kiso has a closeup. Located at the northeastern tip of Osaki Kami Shima, a large island in the Inland Sea south of Takehara. The tiny lighthouse is barely visible in a Google satellite view. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-338; JP-4483; Admiralty F5704; NGA 8508.

* Nakano Hana

1894. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); three flashes every 13 s, red or white depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Kiso has a closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southeastern tip of Osaki Kami Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-397; JP-4487; Admiralty F5702; NGA 8520.

* Mitarai Ko Breakwater 1940. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) square tapered stone tower with a crown resembling a pagoda. The light is displayed from the "roof" of the pagoda. A unique and interesting design, presumably of local origin. Mitarai is a town near the eastern tip of Osaki Shimo-jima, an island southwest of Osaki Kami Shima. Located at an elbow of the breakwater mole at Mitarai; Google has a satellite view. The site appears to be accessible by walking the mole. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F5697; NGA 8848. Kamagarini Shima Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower centered on a square 1-story equipment room and mounted on a square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available. Located on a skerry off the northeastern tip of Kamikamagari Shima, about 20 km (13 mi) east of Kure. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1739; Admiralty F5695.8; NGA 8868. Meneko Shima Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, painted white. Another photo is available, and Kiso has a closeup. This lighthouse is located at the northern tip of Meneko Shima, practically under the bridge joining that island to the mainland, about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Kure. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1749; JP-4662; Admiralty F5695.4; NGA 8884.

Matarai Breakwater Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

* Ondo

1959. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, rising from one end of a rectangular 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso has a closeup. This lighthouse guides ships entering the north end of the narrow strait separating the large island of Kurahashi Shima from the mainland at Ondo, about 7 km (4.5 mi) south of Kure. Located on a bluff at the northern tip of Kurahashi Shima in the city of Ondo; Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-489; JP-4771; Admiralty F5693; NGA 9056.

Kourume Shima (Kure)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a flared top and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso also has a closeup. Kure's beautiful harbor is a traditional home port for the Japanese Navy. Kourume Shima is a small island off the harbor of Kure, within 400 m (1/4 mi) of the mainland. Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-1744; JP-4769; Admiralty F5692; NGA 9052.

Hiroshima Area Lighthouses
Dentaro Hana

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete pillar with gallery, mounted on a square concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on the southwestern tip of Kurahashi Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1726; JP-4789; Admiralty F5664.4; NGA 9092.

Nisigobanno Hana 1904. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); nine quick white flashes every 15 s. 17 m (56 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted bright yellow with one black horizontal band. The Coast Guard's photo is at right, and Kiso also has a fine photo. This historic beacon guides ships rounding Kurahashi Shima en route to Hiroshima from the Inland Sea. Located about 3 km (2 mi) southwest of the southwestern tip of Kurahashi Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4708; Admiralty F5664; NGA 8916. Aki Shiraishi (Siraisi) 1903. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 20 m (66 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. Kiso has a lovely photo. Very similar to the Nisigobanno Hana Light. Located near the center of Hiroshima Bay about 12 km (7.5 mi) east of Iwakuni. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4712; Admiralty F5668; NGA 8924. Manaita Syo 1960. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower with double gallery, mounbted on a round concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. Kiso has a good closeup of the lighthouse with a Japanese Navy destroyer. Located about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southwest of the northwestern tip of Eta Shima (Etajima), a large island protecting the harbor of Hiroshima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4737; Admiralty F5679; NGA 8964.

Nisigobanno Hana Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Nakano Se

1903 (?). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); one long and two short green flashes every 8 s. 15 m (49 ft) round strongly conical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted green. Kiso has a great closeup. The fact that this beacon is concrete rather than stone suggests it may have been replaced at some time in its history. Garrett McGowan has posted an excellent closeup photo of this lighthouse. Located about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) off the northwestern tip of Eta Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4841; Admiralty F5680; NGA 8980.

Ando Shima

1967. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft) white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, painted white. Two more photos are available, and Kiso has a closeup. Located on an islet north of the northwestern tip of Eta Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-1725; JP-4743; Admiralty F5680.4; NGA 8988.

Aki Eno Shima

1904. Active; focal plane 49 m (161 ft); white flash every 4 s. 13.5 m (44 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery; the lantern has been removed. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available. Located atop a small island about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) northwest of Ando Shima and 1.2 km (3/4 mi) east of the eastern tip of Eno Shima, another large island lying southwest of Hiroshima. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JAP-1721; JP-4742; Admiralty F5681; NGA 8984.

Yakata Isi

1904. Active; focal plane 7.5 m (25 ft); quick-flashing white light. 8 m (26 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Lower half of lighthouse painted bright yellow, upper half black. Kiso has a good closeup. Located on a rocky reef just off the northern tip of Eta Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4747; Admiralty F5690; NGA 9000.

* Uzina

1950. Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); flash every 5 s, alternately red and white. 21 m (69 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a square 1-story service building; 6° Fresnel lens. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso has a good closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the tip of a wooded promontory projecting into the busy and beautiful harbor of Hiroshima. Easily accessible by road; it is surprising that there are not more photos of this lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-735; JP-4753; Admiralty F5687; NGA 9004.

Hiroshima East Breakwater 1978. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); red light occulting once every 4 s. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a tall "dunce cap" crown; 5° Fresnel lens. Entire lighthouse painted red. A Coast Guard photo is at right, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The "dunce cap" on these modern lighthouses is a historical touch recalling similar crowns on the lighthouses of Yokohama harbor. Located at the end of the detached east breakwater of Hiroshima's modern port, west of the Uzina lighthouse. Site and tower closed, but there should be excellent views from arriving or departing ferries. ARLHS JAP-1769; JP-4754; Admiralty F5687.5; NGA 9008. Hiroshima West Breakwater 1971. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); red light occulting once every 4 s. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a tall "dunce cap" crown; 5° Fresnel lens. Entire lighthouse painted white. Another photo is available, Kiso has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. The "dunce cap" on these modern lighthouses is a historical touch recalling similar crowns on the lighthouses of Yokohama harbor. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Hiroshima's modern port, west of the Uzina lighthouse. Site and tower closed, but there should be excellent views from arriving or departing ferries. ARLHS JAP-1770; JP-4755; Admiralty F5687.4; NGA 9012. Kusatsu (Kusatu) Gyoko East Breakwater 1981(?). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower. Described as white by NGA, the tower appears to be red in a Google satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater protecting the fishery harbor on the west side of Hiroshima. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1747; Admiralty F5684; NGA 9024.

Hiroshima Breakwater Lights Japanese Coast Guard photo

Kusatsu (Kusatu) Gyoko South Breakwater

1981. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post with gallery centered on a square 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Located at the east end of a detached breakwater protecting the fishery harbor on the west side of Hiroshima; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JAP-1748; JP-4759; Admiralty F5683; NGA 9028.

* Shinkai (Sinkai, Singai) Hana (2)

1951 (station established 1899). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, attached to a small concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard also has a page for the light, and additional photos are available. The original lighthouse was destroyed by the storm surge of a typhoon in 1949. This lighthouse stands on the mainland at the narrowest point of the strait between the mainland and the island of Eno Shima; the strait here is about 500 m (0.3 mi) wide. Google has a satellite view. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JAP-794; JP-4765; Admiralty F5676; NGA 9048.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

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Posted January 25, 2007. Checked and revised March 20, 2008. Lighthouses: 45. Site copyright 2008 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.