Lighthouses of Japan: Kyōto and Fukui

This page lists lighthouses of the Japanese prefectures of Kyōto and Fukui, which face the Sea of Japan on the southwestern coast of Honshū. This is a rugged and beautiful coast, with many small ports but only a few big ones. Maizuru in Kyōto Prefecture and Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture are the most important.

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
A comprehensive site, although almost entirely in Japanese. It's easiest to use the pages for each prefecture: Kyōto | Fukui. There's also a page on Lighthouses by R. H. Brunton listing the earliest Western-style Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouse-Japan.com
Excellent photos with notes (in Japanese) for many of the lighthouses. There are pages for each prefecture:| Kyōto | Fukui.
Kiso's Lighthouses - Western Honshū
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses. Search for lighthouses by names or JP numbers, which are in English.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour
Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Kato's Lighthouses
Photos and notes from all parts of Japan.
Eighth Region Lighthouses
Photos and data for 13 of the major lighthouses of the Eighth Coast Guard Region.
Tsuruga Coast Guard Office - Major Lighthouses
Information in Japanese on lighthouses of Fukui Prefecture.

Nokogiri Saki Light
Nokogiri Saki Light, Fukui Prefecture
Japanese Coast Guard photo

Lighthouses of Kyōto Prefecture

Kyōtango City Lighthouses
Kumihama Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with a flared top, painted red.  Google has a very distant satellite view of the location. Located at the end of the detached west breakwater of Kumihama. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. JP-0986; Admiralty M7274.7; NGA 2443.
* Hamazume Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire structure is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. NGA misspells the place name as Hamazuma. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Hamazume harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JP-0988; Admiralty M7274.4; NGA 2448.
* Kyōga Misaki
1898. Active; focal plane 148 m (486 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery centered on a 1-story stone keeper's house. The 1st order Fresnel lens in use is said to be one of only six still functioning in Japan. Entire lighthouse painted white. Nathan Duckworth has a closeup, Kiso has a photo, Confluence.org has a closeup, Misty's Tour has photos, a closeup of the lantern is available, and Google has a satellite view. Lighthouse-Japan.com has photos taken on an open-house day when scaffolding was provided so that visitors could view the lens. This beautiful and historic lighthouse stands on one of the most prominent capes of Japan's west coast, commanding a spectacular view and marking the west side of the entrance to Mikasa Bay. Very popular, it is the only lighthouse on this page included in Japan's Famous Fifty Lighthouses list. Located at the tip of the Tango Peninsula about 40 km (25 mi) north of the city of Miyazu. Accessible by a popular hike of about 3 km (2 mi) roundtrip; parking is provided. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-321; JP-0998; Admiralty M7270; NGA 2480.

Yosa District Lighthouses
Washi Saki
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No photo available, and Google's distant satellite view does not show the station. Located on a cape about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of Ine. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1257; JP-1000; Admiralty M7269.4; NGA 2488.
Ine Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 52 m (170 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with closeup photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island in the entrance to Ine harbor, which is in the lee of Kyōga Misaki about 25 km (15 mi) north of Miyazu. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-167; JP-1001; Admiralty M7269.5; NGA 2492.
Kyōga Misaki Light
Kyōga Misaki Light, March 2005
anonymous Wikimedia Creative Commons photo

Miyazu City Lighthouses
Miyazu Wan (Kuro Saki)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 124 m (407 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of the forested Kuro Saki peninsula on the east side of the entrance to Miyazu Bay, about 8 km (5 mi) northeast of Miyazu city. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-368; JP-1003; Admiralty M7269.3; NGA 2500.
* Bakutsi (Bakuti, Bakuchi) Misaki
1925. Active; focal plane 129 m (423 ft); white flash every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1- and 2-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view believed to show the station. Located on a bluff above the east side of the entrance to Maizuru harbor. The location and status of this site are somewhat uncertain; closeup photos are available but the lighthouse is reported to be on a military base. ARLHS JPN-040; JP-1007; Admiralty M7258; NGA 2504.

Maizuru City Lighthouse
Maizuru (Coast Guard School)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane about 18 m (59 ft); light characteristic unknown. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story brick building. Entire lighthouse is white. A small photo, additional photos (near the bottom of the page), and an aerial photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse is used for training as part of the Maizuru Coast Guard School. The attached building may be a classroom. The Coast Guard training ship Miura is often moored next to the lighthouse. Located at the Coast Guard School on the northwest side of Maizuru. Site and tower closed except during occasional open house events.
* Miyo Saki (Maizuro Kō)
1977. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete post light centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shed. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, and a Google satellite view of this location is available. Located on the north side of the eastern branch of Maizuru harbor. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. JP-1025; Admiralty M7259; NGA 2516.
Naryu Saki
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 94 m (308 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (29 ft) square white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located high on the tip of a sharp promontory about 25 km (15 mi) northeast of downtown Maizuru. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1248; Admiralty M7257; NGA 2536.

Lighthouses of Fukui Prefecture

Ōi District Lighthouses
* Uchiura (Utiura) Wan (Otomi)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft) green flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A very distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a breakwater at Otomi, on the east side of Uchiura Bay. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1209; Admiralty M7255.4; NGA 2538.
* Oshimawashi (Osimawasi) Saki
1961. Active; focal plane 160 m (525 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower adjoining a 1-story square concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, Kiso has a photo, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse is at the end of a narrow peninsula projecting into the Sea of Japan; the scenery is outstanding. The surrounding area is a park managed by the city of Takahama. Located at the tip of the cape about 8 km (5 mi) north of Takahama; accessible by a paved walkway. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-495; JP-1031; Admiralty M7255; NGA 2540.
* Shiroyama (Siroyama)
Date unknown (station established 1926). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, Misty's Tour has photos, and a Google satellite view is available. Located at the tip of a promontory on the northeast side of Takayama. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-615; JP-1033; Admiralty M7254; NGA 2548.
* Wada Kō (North Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft) continuous green light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A very distant view is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Wada harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1210; Admiralty M7254.6; NGA 2552.
Oshimawashi Light
Oshimawashi Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Nokogiri Saki
1951. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached at one corner of a rectangular 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at the top of this page, and a Google satellite view is available. This lighthouse marks the end of a long, rugged peninsula that separates Takayama and Kohama Bays. A large industrial complex appears to block access to the end of the peninsula. Located about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of Takayama. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-426; JP-1035; Admiralty M7252; NGA 2556.
* Akaguri Saki
1967. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); red flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Kiso has photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The peninsula of Nokogiri Saki has a hook pointing southeastward at the end; this lighthouse is located on a small island just off the tip of this hook, guiding ships into Kohama Bay. Accessible by walking the service road, which crosses to the island on a bridge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-010; JP-1036; Admiralty M7252.4; NGA 2560.

Obama City Lighthouses
Obama Kō (Detached Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the south end of the detached breakwater sheltering Obama harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1210; Admiralty M7254.6; NGA 2552.
* Tagarasu (Takarasu) Kō (Myozin Hana)
1965. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, Kiso has two distant views, and Misty's Tour has photos, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the harbor. Located on a promontory on the north side of the harbor of the fishing village of Tagarasu, about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Obama. Accessible by a short walk from the village. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-608; JP-1039; Admiralty M7251.6; NGA 2572.

Mikata District Lighthouses
Kuro Guri
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft) white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A view from the sea is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a detached rubblestone breakwater off the west side of the Tsunekami peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1194; Admiralty M7251.4; NGA 2576.
Akaguri Saki Light
Akaguri Saki Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
* Tsunekami (Tunekami, Tsunegami) Misaki
1957. Active; focal plane 244 m (800 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several good photos, Kiso has two closeup photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of a long, northwest-pointing peninsula about 16 km (10 mi) west of Mihama. Accessible by hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-692; JP-1041; Admiralty M7251; NGA 2580.
Hunatōsi (Funatosi) Saki
1971. Active; focal plane 60 m (198 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory on the west side of the Tateisi Peninsula about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Tsuruga. There does not appear to be any public access to this site. JP-1045; Admiralty M7249; NGA 2596.

Tsuruga City Lighthouses
* Tateisi (Tateishi) Saki
1891. Active; focal plane 122 m (400 ft); white flash every 10 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern, painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Kiso has two photos, Misty's Tour has photos, and Google has a distant satellite view. This diminutive but historic lighthouse stands on the tip of the Tateisi Peninsula, which separates Mihama and Tsuruga Bays. Accessible by a hiking trail. ARLHS JPN-630; JP-1047; Admiralty M7246; NGA 2600.
Tsuruga Kō Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A distant view is available (showing the mountains of the Tsuruga Peninsula in the background), and the lighthouse appears in a Google satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Tsuruga harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1206; Admiralty M7247; NGA 2604.

Tateisi Saki Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Nyū District Lighthouses
* Kaburaki (Kaburagi) Kō (No. 1 Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous green light with two more intense flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater at Kaburaki, a fishing port at the northern entrance to Tsuruga Bay, 20 km (13 mi) southwest of Echizen. Accessible by walking the pier (not a short walk, however). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1191; Admiralty M7245; NGA 2624.
* Karei (Krei) Saki
1961. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) square concrete post light centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Kiso has two photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory about 35 km (22 mi) north of Tsuruga. The site appears to be accessible by a short walk. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-232; JP-1057; Admiralty M7243.8; NGA 2632.
* Echizen (Etizen) Gyoko
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Echizen harbor. Accessible by walking the pier (not a short walk, however). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1186; Admiralty M7243.5; NGA 2666.
* Echizen (Etizen) Misaki
1940. Active; focal plane 133 m (436 ft); white flash every 15 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 2-story concrete keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, Kiso has two photos oddly misidentified as Kyōga Misaki, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view of the station. Located on a prominent cape 11 km (7 mi) north of Karei Saki. Site open, tower closed. JP-1069; Admiralty M7242; NGA 2676.
Etizen Misaki Light
Echizen Misaki Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Fukui City Lighthouses
* Shirahama Kō (Outer Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green light, 6 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (29 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Shirahama harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1202; Admiralty M7241; NGA 2684.
* Takanosu Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous white light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a promontory at the narrow entrance to Takanosu harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1205; Admiralty M7240.5; NGA 2692.
Fukui (Hukui) Kō North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green light occulting once every 8 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A very distant view is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on the short north breakwater of Fukui harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1190; Admiralty M7240.3; NGA 2696.

Sakai City Lighthouses
Mikuni Kō North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the detached north outer breakwater of Mikuni harbor, at the north end of the Sakai waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1196; Admiralty M7240; NGA 2704.
* Oshima
1954. Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); two white flashes every 9 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light attached to one corner of a rectangular concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page for the station, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, a 2009 photo is available, Misty's Tour has a photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on an island just off a cape about 5 km (3 mi) north of Hukui. The island is connected to the mainland by a footbridge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-442; JP-1080; Admiralty M7239.7; NGA 2712.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Ishikawa | West: Tottori Area

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Posted February 28, 2007. Checked and revised November 15, 2011. Lighthouses: 32. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.