Lighthouses of Japan: Shimane

This page lists lighthouses of the mainland portion of the Japanese prefecture of Shimane, which faces the Sea of Japan on the far southwestern coast of Honshū. This is a rugged and beautiful coast, with many small ports but only a few big ones. Hamada is the most important port in the prefecture.

Note: There is a separate page for the Oki Islands, which are also part of Shimane prefecture.

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 at least one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture, often two or more.

A note on the Sea of Japan/East Sea controversy: The Directory takes no side in any international dispute; it makes use of the terminology, names, and spellings as they currently exist in each area covered. The sea between Japan and Korea is called the Sea of Japan on the pages for Japan and the East Sea on the pages for Korea.

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

General Sources
Lighthouses in Japan - Shimane
A comprehensive Japanese-language site. There's also a page on Lighthouses by R. H. Brunton listing the earliest Western-style Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouse-Japan.com - Shimane
Excellent photos with notes (in Japanese) for many of the lighthouses.
Kiso's Lighthouses
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour - Shimane
Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Lighthouses in Shimane Prefecture
Photos and notes in Japanese.
Eighth Region Lighthouses
Photos and data for 13 of the major lighthouses of the Eighth Coast Guard Region, including 8 in Shimane.
Oki Lighthouses
This all-Japanese site has photos of the major lighthouses of the Oki Islands.

Mihonoseki Light
Mihonoseki Light, Matsue, August 2009
anonymous Wikimedia Creative Commons photo

Masuda Lighthouses
Uomachino Hana
1954. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower centered on a 1-story square concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, the Coast Guard also has a photo (left photo, next to last row), and the light is visible in Google's satellite view. Located on a promontory about 10 km (6 mi) north of Masuda. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-718; JP-0785; Admiralty M7354; NGA 1812.
Taka Shima (Takashima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 126 m (413 ft); white flash every 8 s. 15 m (49 ft) white round concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Taka Shima is a small island 8 km (5 mi) offshore and 16 km (10 mi) north of Masuda. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-824; JP-0786; Admiralty M7352.4; NGA 1804.

Hamada Lighthouses
Shakkuri
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 16 m (52 ft) round tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. No photo available. Located in the sea off the west side of Hamada harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty M7349; NGA 1828.
Hamada North Detached Breakwater
Date unknown (1993?). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the west end of a detached breakwater on the northwest side of Hamada harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1551; JP-0794; Admiralty M7349.15; NGA 1832.
Hamada West Detached Breakwater
1993. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light with two more intense flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is red. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the north end of a detached breakwater on the west side of Hamada harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1552; JP-0793.5; Admiralty M7349.3; NGA 1838.
* Hamada Kō
1975. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire structure is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a short breakwater at the west end of Hamada harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1550; JP-0796; Admiralty M7348.5; NGA 1844.
Uma Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); two white flashes every 12 s. 10.5 m (31 ft) round brick tower, painted white. No photo available, and the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view of the island. Located on an island at the northern entrance to Hamada harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-713; JP-0790; Admiralty M7348; NGA 1824.

Gōtsu Lighthouses
* Iwami Ōsaki Hana
1974. Active; focal plane 72 m (236 ft); white flash every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment room. There is also a communications tower on the gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands atop one of the highest in a series of rocky promontories, separated by long sandy beaches, that punctuate this section of the coast. Located about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Hamada. Accessible by road and a short hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-189; JP-0799; Admiralty M7347; NGA 1856.
* Gōtsu (Gōsu)
1960. Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10.5 m (31 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. The light is atop the tower; in addition, a spotlight shines through a square window to illuminate the narrow harbor entrance. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a steep promontory on the northeast side of Gōtsu. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-071; JP-0800; Admiralty M7346.5; NGA 1860.

Ōda Lighthouses
* Yunotsu Breakwater
1963. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 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 square concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the short east breakwater of Yonotsu harbor, a fishing port about 13 km (8 mi) northeast of Gōtsu. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1585; JP-0801; Admiralty M7346.2; NGA 1872.

Iwami Ōsaki Hana Light
Japanese Coast Guard photo
* Yunotsu (Yunotu) Kō
1958. Active; focal plane 68 m (223 ft); flash every 2 s, white or red depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, but the tower is not seen in Google's fuzzy satellite view. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on a forested promonotory north of the breakwater light. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-765; JP-0803; Admiralty M7346; NGA 1868.
Nima Kō Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available (3/4 the way down the page), and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on the outer breakwater of Nima harbor, a fishing port about 25 km (15 mi) northeast of Gōtsu. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1565; Admiralty M7345; NGA 1876.
* Nima Kō (East Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous green light. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower centered on a 1-story round concrete base. Entire structure is white. Wolfgang Meier has a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on the east breakwater of Nima harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1564; Admiralty M7344; NGA 1880.
* Isotake Kō
1959. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower attached to a 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a distant satellite view of the location. Located at the end of the west (main) breakwater of Isotake, about 10 km (6 mi) west of Ōda city. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1554; JP-0808; Admiralty M7343; NGA 1892.
* Ō Misaki
1959. Active; focal plane 69 m (226 ft); white flash every 6 s. 14.5 m (48 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, Misty's Tour has another good photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Local school children created and buried a time capsule at the lighthouse to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1999. Located on a summit on the north side of Isotake harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-446; JP-0810; Admiralty M7342; NGA 1888.
* Kute Kō West Breakwater
1968. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 4 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story square concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is red. Google has a satellite view. Located on the west breakwater of Kute. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1561; JP-0814; Admiralty M7341; NGA 1904.
* Kute Kō North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire structure is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on the north breakwater of Kute, which appears to be detached. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1560; JP-0813; Admiralty M7341.2; NGA 1912.
* Tategami (Tategami Hana)
1951. Active; focal plane 93 m (305 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, and the tower pokes through dense forest in Google's satellite view. Located on a steep, frested promontory just north of Hane harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-629; JP-0817; Admiralty M7338; NGA 1916.
Ō Misaki Light
Ō Misaki Light open house, 12 August 2011
Japanese Coast Guard photo

Izumo Lighthouses
Note: The north coast of Shimane features a steep, forested ridge 65 km (40 mi) long, with the west half of the ridge in Izumo City and the east half in Matsue City. Both ends of the ridge project into the sea forming prominent capes. These capes are the sites of Shimane's best-known lighthouses, Hinomisaki in the west and Mihonoseki in the east.
* Taisha Kō
1988. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story square concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is red. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the location. Taisha Kō is a small boat harbor on the northwest side of Izumo city. Located at an elbow of the east breakwater, marking the entrance to Taisha harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1579; JP-0819; Admiralty M7336.4; NGA 1928.
**** Hino Misaki (Hinomisaki, Izumo Hino Misaki)
1903. Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); two white flashes followed by one red flash every 20 s. 44 m (145 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house now used as a visitor center. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Nathan Dickworth has a photo, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, a good 2008 photo is available, the Sakai Coast Guard Office has a web site for the lighthouse (in Japanese), Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This mighty tower is Japan's tallest lighthouse and certainly one of the country's most famous. It stands on a prominent and dangerous cape about 8 km (5 mi) west of the city of Izumo, marking shoals that extend westward from the cape into the Sea of Japan. Open to visitors, the tower is a very popular tourist attraction. Site open, tower open daily. ARLHS JPN-201; JP-0821; Admiralty M7334; NGA 1936.
* Hino Misaki Sakaguri Shoal Beacon
1973. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); continuous white light. 13 m (43 ft) semicircular cylindrical white concrete tower; the light is shown through a window. This tower shines a spotlight on a dangerous reef just off the cape. Located just northeast of the Hinomisaki lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. JP-0822.
Uryu Kō Entrance Beacon
1983. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); continuous white light. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. Shone through a square window, the light illuminates the narrow entrance to Uryu harbor. Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of a promontory on the west side of the harbor entrance. Site open, tower closed. JP-0822.5.
Hinomisaki Light
Hinomisaki Light, February 2007
anonymous Wikimedia public domain photo
Sagiura
1959. Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a very distant satellite view of the location. Located on a promontory on the east side of the entrance to Sagiura Bay. Accessible by a fairly strenuous hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-522; JP-0824; Admiralty M7333.5; NGA 1954.
* Uppurui Kō (2?)
Date unknown (station established 1984). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, connected to a small equipment shelter. The tower is not seen clearly in Google's satellite view, so it may be a recent replacement for a smaller light. Located at the end of the north breakwater at Uppurui. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JP-0826; Admiralty M7333.2; NGA 1952.
Uppurui (Oppurui) Hana
1957. Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 6 m (20 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, attached to a small equipment closet. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a sharp, rocky promontory at the northern entrance to Izumo Bay, about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of the city. This site appears difficult to access. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-720; JP-0826; Admiralty M7333; NGA 1956.
* Nagaoka (Nagaoga) Hana
1971. Active; focal plane 76 m (249 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff near Koizu, about 18 km (11 mi) west of Matsue. The light is above the coastal road and is accessible by a stiff climb up a long flight of stairs. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-202; JP-0827; Admiralty M7331; NGA 1960.
* Koizu Kō (West Breakwater)
1977. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater at Koizu, a small harbor about 10 km (6 mi) due north of Izumo. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1558; JP-0828; Admiralty M7331.5; NGA 1964.

Matsue Lighthouses
* Etomo Kō (Oki Breakwater)
1985. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Etomo harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1567; JP-0828.5; Admiralty M7327.5; NGA 1968.
* Etomo
1953. Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); white light, 5 s on, 3 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower, rising from a 1-story square concrete equipment house. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, and the lighthouse is barely visible in Google's distant satellite view. Located on a promontory about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of Etomo. Apparently accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-065; JP-0833; Admiralty M7325; NGA 1976.
* Mitsu (Mizu) Kō West Breakwater
1967. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the location. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Mitsu harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1563; JP-0836; Admiralty M7324.6; NGA 1992.
* Mitsu (Mizu) Kō
1967(?). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the location. Located at the west end of a detached outer breakwater of Mitsu harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1562; JP-0836.5; Admiralty M7324.7; NGA 1988.
Kaga Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. A distant view is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the location. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Kaga port. Site status unknown; may be accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS JPN-1556; Admiralty M7324.5; NGA 1996.
Kukedo Hana
1952. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment house. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan,com has a page with good photos, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a promontory about 10 km (6 mi) north of Matsue. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-298; JP-0837; Admiralty M7324.4; NGA 2000.
* Tako Hana
1952. Active; focal plane 113 m (371 ft); white flash every 10 s. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment house. Entire lighthouse is white. A larger square building adjoining the lighthouse carries a tall communications antenna. The lighthouse marks the northernmost point of the Shimane mainland. A Coast Guard photo is at right,Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with a closeup photo, Misty's Tour has another photo, and the lighthouse is visible in a Google satellite view. Located on a promontory about 11 km (6.5 mi) north northeast of Matsue. Accessible by road. ARLHS JPN-621; JP-0838; Admiralty M7324; NGA 2004.
Tako Hana Light
Tako Hana Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Tsunowa (Tunowa) Hana
1971. Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. This lighthouse is at the end of a long, forested peninsula; it may be accessible by hiking. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, but the slender tower is a bit hard to spot in a Google satellite view. Located about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Tako Hana. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-694; JP-0841; Admiralty M7318.4; NGA 2012.
Shichirui (Siturui) Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available, but the light appears in a Google satellite view. Located at the tip of a promontory sheltering the harbor of Shichurui, about 8 km (5 mi) west of Mihonoseki. Accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-590; JP-0843; Admiralty M7314; NGA 2016.
Tsuriboko Yama
1958. Active; focal plane 122 m (400 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 7.5 m (25 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory on the south side of the entrance to the harbor of Shichurui. Accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1583; JP-0847; Admiralty M7315; NGA 2020.
** Mihonoseki (Jizō Zaki)
1898. Active; focal plane 83 m (272 ft); white flash every 12 s. 14 m (46 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a semicircular stone keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo appears at the top of this page, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, another photo and a closeup of the lantern are available, Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a fine satellite view. This historic lighthouse has an exceptionally scenic site, even for this scenic coast. It stands at Jizō Zaki, the end of a peninsula sheltering the harbor of Mihonoseki, with a wide view over water in three directions. Accessible by road, it is a very popular tourist attraction. Site open, tower closed but the lighthouse grounds and visitor center are open. ARLHS JPN-349; JP-0848; Admiralty M7316; NGA 2172.
Okino Gozen Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo appears at right, and Google has a satellite view. A Shinto shrine stands next to this remote light. Located on a dangerous skerry about 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of Jizō Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-484; JP-0850; Admiralty M7315.6; NGA 2168.

Okino Gozen Shima Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Suraga Hana
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. This light is on the south side of the Mihonoseki peninsula; it guides vessels in the inner harbor of Sakaiminato, which is across a narrow channel in Tottori Prefecture. Located on a forested promontory. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1577; JP-0906; Admiralty M7304; NGA 2212.

Yasugi Lighthouses
Note: The city of Yasugi faces north on Nakaumi, a brackish bay connected to the Sea of Japan by the Sakai Channel, a narrow inlet south of Mihonoseki. Nakaumi is separated from the sea by the city of Sakaiminato, which occupies the Yumigahama Peninsula. Sakaiminato is in Tottori Prefecture.
Kame Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island just off the waterfront of Yasugi. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1590; JP-0914; Admiralty M7306; NGA 2192.
Yasugi Kō South Breakwater
1962. 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. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a short breakwater at the entrance to the traditional inner harbor of Yasugi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1600; JP-0916; Admiralty M7307; NGA 2196.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Oki Islands | East: Tottori Area | West: Yamaguchi

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Posted February 28, 2007. Checked and revised October 25, 2011. Lighthouses: 42. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.