Lighthouses of Japan: Shimane

This page lists lighthouses 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. In Japanese, the word for a lighthouse is tōdai (or 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 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. 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 - Shimane A comprehensive Japanese-language site. 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 - Shimane Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country. Eighth Region Lighthouses Photos and data for 13 of the major lighthouses of the Eighth Coast Guard Region, including 8 in Shimane.

Mihonoseki Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Western Shimane 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. The Coast Guard also has a photo (left photo, next to last row). 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

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. 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.

Shakkuri

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two whiet 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.

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. 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.

* 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, Kiso has an excellent photo, 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. 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. It appears that the light was formerly shown through a square window, but it is now atop the tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso has a closeup, Misty's Tour has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a steep promontory on the west side of Gōtsu. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-071; JP-0800; Admiralty M7346.5; NGA 1860. * 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. Located on a promonotory south of the entrance to Yunotsu harbor, about 13 km (8 mi) northeast of Gōtsu. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-765; JP-0803; Admiralty M7346; NGA 1868.

Iwami Ōsaki Hana Light Japanese Coast Guard photo

* 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. Kiso has a closeup, and Misty's Tour has another good photo. Local school children created and buried a time capsule at the lighthouse to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1999. Located on a promontory 3 km (2 mi) west of Nima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-446; JP-0810; Admiralty M7342; NGA 1888.

* 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. Located on a promontory about 25 km (15 mi) south of Izumo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-629; JP-0817; Admiralty M7338; NGA 1916.

Northern Shimane Lighthouses
Note: The north coast of Shimane features a steep, forested ridge 65 km (40 mi) long. Both ends of the ridge project into the sea forming prominent capes. These capes are the sites of two of Japan's best-known lighthouses, Hinomisaki in the west and Mihonoseki in the east.

*** 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 vistor center. Entire lighthouse painted white. Nathan Dickworth's photo appears at right, a good 2008 photo is available, the Sakai Coast Guard Office has a web site for the lighthouse (in Japanese), and Klaus Huelse has a historic postcard 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. 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. 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. Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff near Koizu, about 18 km (11 mi) west of Matsue. Site status unknown, but probably open: the light is above the coastal road and may be accessible by s short, stiff climb. ARLHS JPN-202; JP-0827; Admiralty M7331; NGA 1960. * 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. Located on a promontory about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of Etomo. Apparently accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-065; JP-0833; Admiralty M7325; NGA 1976. 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. 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.

Hinomisaki Light, April 2007 Creative Commons photo by Nathan Duckworth

* Tako Hana

Date unknown. 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. 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.

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. 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 closeup 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. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-590; JP-0843; Admiralty M7314; NGA 2016.

** 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 Coast Guard photo appears at the top of this page, 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

Oki Islands Lighthouses: Nishinoshima, Ama, and Chibu
Note: The Oki Islands are located in the Sea of Japan 50-80 km (30-50 mi) north of Mihonoseki. The largest island, Dōgo, is roughly circular with a diameter of about 20 km (13 mi). The other three inhabited islands, Nishinoshima, Ama, and Chibu, are closely grouped to the southwest of Dōgo. Once a place of exile for deposed emperors, the islands are now a national park and a popular tourist destination. Okinoshima, the largest town in the islands, has regular air service from Osaka, and all the major islands of the group are accessible by ferry from Matsue.
Chiburi (Tihuri) Shima

1953. Active; focal plane 158 m (518 ft); flash every 10 s, alternately red and white. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from one end of a 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available. This is the southernmost light of the islands. Located atop a heavily forested island off the southeast coast of Chibu. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-643; JP-0851; Admiralty M7323; NGA 2092.

Akanada Hana

1958. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 4 s. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available. Located on the southernmost point of Nishinoshima, marking the narrow channel between that island and Chibu. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-011; JP-0856; Admiralty M7323.5; NGA 2104.

* Mitsabe (Mitabe) Misaki 1961. Active; focal plane 125 m (410 ft); white flash every 12 s. 10 m (33 ft) 3-story rectangular cylindrical concrete tower with a semicircular lantern room and gallery on the top floor, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse is white. This is the westernmost light of the islands. Located at the end of a sharp wooded peninsula about 800 m (1/2 mi) west of the village of Mitsabe. Accessible by hiking trail from the village. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-361; JP-0858; Admiralty M7323.7; NGA 2112. Mugiyama Hana Date unknown. Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round, hour-glass-shaped concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. This lighthouses guides vessels into a the bay on the south side of Nishinoshima leading to the town of the same name. Located on a steep promontory on the east side of the entrance to the bay. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-377; JP-0863; Admiralty M7323.6; NGA 2128. Matsuga Saki (Oki Matsuga Saki, Matuga Saki) 1975. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is white. This lighthouse is at the northwestern point of Ama, marking the narrow channel between Ama and Nishinoshima. Located at the water's edge, at the extreme point of the cape. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-480; JP-0864; NGA 2144.

Mitsabe Misaki Light Japanese Coast Guard photo

Komori Shima

1954. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, rising from one end of a 1-story concrete equipment house. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available. Located atop a huge rock about 1200 m (3/4 mi) off the northern tip of Ama, marking the northern entrance to the passage between Ama and Nishinoshima. Probably accessible only by helicopter. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-286; JP-0864; Admiralty M7321.7; NGA 2152.

Noda Saki

1976. Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); white flash every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available. Located at the northeastern tip of Ama; it's not clear if the lighthouse is on a small island or on a promontory of the mainland of Ama. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-425; JP-0867; Admiralty M7321.74; NGA 2164.

Titii Misaki

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No closeup photo available. Located at the easternmost point of Ama, which is at the end of a long, narrow peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-649; JP-0870; Admiralty M7321.9; NGA 2160.

Takada Hana

1950. Active; focal plane 105 m (346 ft); white flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round concrete tower, rising from one end of a 1-story concrete equipment house. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available. Located atop a steep promontory at the southeastern point of Ama. Site status unknown; it may be possible to reach this site by hiking trails. ARLHS JPN-613; JP-0872; Admiralty M7322; NGA 2136.

Kiroga Saki

1974. Active; focal plane 41 m (134 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower attached to a small concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on a promontory at the southernmost tip of Ama. Site status unknown; it may be possible to reach this site by hiking trails. ARLHS JPN-261; JP-0874; Admiralty M7322.8; NGA 2140.

Oki Islands Lighthouses: Dōgo
Shizika (Sizika, Shijika) Shima

1957. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available. Located on a small island just off the southwestern coast of Dōgo, directly opposite Ama. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-591; JP-0875; Admiralty M7319.5; NGA 2076.

Tsuma (Tuma) Onbe Shima

1972. Active; focal plane 100 m (328 ft); continuous white light. 6 m (20 ft) elliptical cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on an island off the entrance to the harbor of Tsuma, a settlement on the southwest coast of Dōgo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-0878.

* Naku (Nagu) Saki

1963. Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on a promontory on the west coast of Dōgo. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-401; JP-0879; Admiralty M7321.4; NGA 2084.

Mi Saki (Hukuura Saki)

1971. Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on a promontory on the south side of the entrance to the harbor of Goka, on the northwest coast of Dōgo. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-479; JP-0880; Admiralty M7321.3; NGA 2088.

Okino Shima

1980. Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment house. Entire lighthouse is white. This light marks the northernmost point of the Oki Islands. Located on a small, steep island just off the north coast of Dōgo. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-482; JP-0881; Admiralty M7321.2; NGA 2032.

* Shiroshima Saki (Oki Syoto)

1956. Active; focal plane 258 m (846 ft); white flash every 15 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. This powerful light, one of the highest lighthouses in Asia, has a range of 69.5 km (43 mi). The lighthouse was renovated in 1981, and the keeper's house was converted into a radio direction finding station. Located on a summit at the northern tip of Dōgo. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-585; JP-0882; Admiralty M7321.25; NGA 2036.

* Sakiyama Misaki 1967. Active; focal plane 94 m (308 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on a promontory at the entrance to the harbor of Fuse on the northeast coast of Dōgo. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-534; JP-0884; Admiralty M7321.14; NGA 2044. Kuroshima Saki 1961. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); three white flashes every 13 s; a continuous white spotlight (added in 1987) is used illuminate Kabi Shima, a nearby skerry. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a concrete lantern room at the top. Entire lighthouse is white. A distant view is available. Located on the easternmost point of Dōgo. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-310; JP-0886; Admiralty M7321.1; NGA 2048. * Saigō Misaki (Shiro Saki) 1921. Active; focal plane 109 m (358 ft); two white flashes every 30 s. 11 m (36 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Shimane Prefecture also has a photo (near the bottom of the page). Prior to 1950 this was the only lighthouse in the Oki Islands. Located at the southeastern tip of Dōgo. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-524; JP-0893; Admiralty M7320; NGA 2064.

Saigō Misaki Light Japanese Coast Guard photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted February 28, 2007. Checked and revised May 15, 2009. Lighthouses: 38. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.