Lighthouses of Japan: Aomori

This page lists lighthouses of Aomori Prefecture, located at the northern end of Japan's largest island, Honshū. Aomori faces Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, connecting the Sea of Japan on the west to the open Pacific Ocean on the east. This scenic coastline includes several of Japan's most famous lighthouses.

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 usually one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture. However, Aomori Prefecture has such a long coastline that it has two section offices, one in Aomori and one in Hachinohe.

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. JCG 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 - Aomori
A comprehensive site, almost entirely in Japanese.
Lighthouse of Japan - Aomori
Another comprehensive site, also in Japanese.
Form of a Lighthouse - Aomori Prefecture
This web site has photos for many lighthouses in Aomori.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour -Aomori
Photos and brief notes in English for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Kiso's Lighthouses
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Second District Lighthouse Photos - Aomori
Posted by the Coast Guard district office in Aomori.
Aomori Section Lighthouse Information
Information and photos for the Tappi Saki and Ōma Saki lighthouses posted by the Aomori office of the Japanese Coast Guard.
Lighthouses in Aomori Prefecture
A collection of recent photos.
Yamagata, Akita, and Aomori Lighthouses
Another large photo collection.
Lighthouses in Aomori Prefecture
Photos available from Wikimedia.
The Famous Fifty Lighthouses
Photos of the lighthouses voted most famous in Japan, posted by the Eighth Coast Guard Region. Four of the fifty stand in Aomori Prefecture (Tappi Saki, Ōma Saki, Shiriya Saki, and Hashikami).

Omasaki Light
Ōma Saki Light, Shimokita, April 2012
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by アラツク
Nishitsugaru District (Sea of Japan) Lighthouses
Kyuroku Shima
1959. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 8 s. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is available, and Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the reef. Located on an exposed, rocky reef in the Sea of Japan about 45 km (28 mi) west of Iwasaki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1073; JCG-1426; Admiralty M7055.2; NGA 3640.
* Henashi Saki
1941. Active; focal plane 68 m (223 ft); white flash every 10 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story equipment building. 2nd order (?) Fresnel lens in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. The Coast Guard has the photo at right, a short page for the lighthouse, and another photo, Lighthouses of Japan also has a photo, Misty's Tour has a small photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. This lighthouse marks a prominent cape, the first major cape north of Nyūdō Saki. Located on the point of the cape, south of the village of Henashi and about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Iwasaki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-104; JCG-1425; Admiralty M7055; NGA 3652.
Fukaura West Breakwater
1981. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. A very distant view and a view from shore (last photo on the page) are available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the north head of the detached west breakwater at Fukaura. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1052; JCG-1429; Admiralty M7054.4; NGA 3658.
Fukaura East (Outer) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A very distant view and a view from shore (last photo on the page) are available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the north head of the detached west breakwater at Fukaura. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1054; JCG-1428; Admiralty M7054; NGA 3660.
* Torii Saki
1966. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with two galleries, mounted atop a square 1-story concrete equipment room. No lantern. The lighthouse also has a continuous white spotlight illuminating an offshore reef. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour has two good closeup photos, a distant view is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The lighthouse stands on a large rock just offshore, connected to the mainland by a long concrete walkway. This walkway appears to be open to the public. Located at a turning point of the coast about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of Henashi Saki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-674; JCG-1430 (main light) and 1431 (spotlight); Admiralty M7053.8; NGA 3664.
Henashi Saki Light
Henashi Saki Light, Fukaura
Japanese Coast Guard Second District photo
* Ōtose (Odose) Saki
1962. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 12 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. Lighthouses of Japan also has a page for the lighthouse, Misty's Tour has a small photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a bluff at a promontory about 25 km (15 mi) west of Ajigasawa. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-470; JCG-1432; Admiralty M7053.6; NGA 3668.
* Ajigasawa (Azigasawa) Kō
1938. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. A closeup photo is available, and Glenn Waters has a distant view, but Google's fuzzy satellite view does not show the light. Located on the outer breakwater at Ajigasawa. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1051; JCG-1433; Admiralty M7052; NGA 3672.

Kitatsugaru District (Kodomari) Lighthouses
Kodomari Misaki South
1965. Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a small 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. Bing has a satellite view. Kodomari Misaki is a mountainous peninsula that projects about 5 km (3 mi) into the Sea of Japan, threatening the southwestern approach to Tsugaru Strait. Located on the point of the cape, about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Kodomari. May be accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-281; JCG-1437; Admiralty M6673; NGA 3688.
Kodomari Misaki North
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the northwestern point of the Kodomari Misaki peninsula. Perhaps accessible by a hiking trail. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-788; JCG-1438; Admiralty M6672; NGA 3692.
* Kodomari Kō North Breakwater (2)
Date unknown (1975?) (station established 1935). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Bing has a distant satellite view. Located near the end of the long north (really west) breakwater of Kodomari, in the lee of Kodomari Misaki. Accessible by walking the pier (a half-mile walk). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1068; JCG-1439; Admiralty M6668; NGA 3696.
* Kodomari Kō East Breakwater
1975. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the east inner breakwater of Kodomari. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1067; JCG-1440; Admiralty M6670; NGA 3700.

Western Higashitsugaru District (Western Tsugaru Strait and Aomori Bay) Lighthouses
* Tappi Saki
1932. Active; focal plane 119 m (390 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery mounted atop a 2-story crew quarters building. The lighthouse has what appears to be a 2nd order Fresnel lens. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Souzou Cotory has a 2007 closeup, H. Kuroda also has a nice closeup, Misty's Tour has photos, additional photos are available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This lighthouse and the Shirakami Misaki Light at the southernmost tip of Hokkaidō light the western entrance to Tsugaru Strait. The opening is about 19 km (12 mi) wide, well within the 50 km (31 mi) range of this powerful lighthouse. The lighthouse also serves as a signal and traffic control station for shipping through the strait. Located on the point of the cape, about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Minmaya. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-627; JCG-1501; Admiralty M6662; NGA 3704.
* Minmaya Kō
1935. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted red. The Coast Guard has a photo, additional photos and a distant view are available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the outer breakwater at Minmaya, a small port about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Tappi Saki. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1074; JCG-1502; Admiralty M6658; NGA 3708.
* Takano Saki (2)
Around 2004 (station established 1966). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with red and white horizontal bands. A 2009 photo, a 2006 photo, and additional photos are available, and Bing has a satellite view. The Lighthouse of Japan photo and the Misty's Tour photo (the latter taken in 2002) show the original lighthouse. This lighthouse guides ships toward the entrance from Tsugaru Strait into Aomori Bay, a large protected sound connected to Tsugaru Strait by a relatively narrow opening. Located on a promontory about 7 km (4.5 mi) northwest of Tairadate. Accessible by road; parking is available. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-617; JCG-1503; Admiralty M6657; NGA 3712.
Tappi Saki Light
Tappi Saki Light, Higashitsugaru, April 2012
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by アラツク
* Tairadate
1899. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 5 s. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Modern 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with excellent photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, a 2009 photo and additional photos are available, and Google has a cloudy satellite view. Tairadate is a port on the west side of the entrance to Aomori Bay. The opening to the bay, known as the Mutsu Strait, is about 5 km (3 mi) wide. Located on Myojin Saki, a point of land on the north side of the town of Tairadate. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-800; JCG-1504; Admiralty M6654; NGA 3716.
* Tairadate Kō
1966. Active; focal plane 9.5 m (31 ft); green flash every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post rising from one corner of a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the "east" (really south) breakwater of Tairadate harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1095; JCG-1505; Admiralty M6656; NGA 3720.
* Kanita Kō
1967. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A photo is at right, additional photos are available, and Bing has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at Kanita, on the west side of Aomori Bay about 25 km (15 mi) north of Aomori. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1066; JCG-1506; Admiralty M6651; NGA 3724.

Aomori City Lighthouses
* Aomori Kō (West Harbor)
1968. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a short breakwater on the west side of Aomori harbor. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, closed. ARLHS JPN-1050; JCG-1508; Admiralty M6650; NGA 3730.


Kanita Kō Light, Higashitsugaru, November 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Zack
Aomori Okidate Wharf West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 4 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located on the west breakwater protecting the ferry terminal in Aomori harbor. Site and tower closed, but there's a good view from ferries. JCG-1512.5; Admiralty M6649; NGA 3731.
* Aomori Kō (Breakwater West)
1961. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round broadly conical tower with lantern and gallery; the lantern has a sharply peaked roof that continues the conical profile of the structire. Entire lighthouse covered with white tiles. The Coast Guard photo posted by JANA is at right, Sophiep Tran has a closeup photo, another good photo and a view from across the harbor is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This unusual lighthouse is a landmark in Aomori harbor, the departure point for ferries crossing Tsugaru Strait to Hokkaidō. The Japanese name translates "breakwater west lighthouse," but NGA lists it as "north breakwater, north head." (Aomori has half a dozen breakwaters, so some confusion is inevitable.) Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site and tower closed. JCG-1522; Admiralty M6646; NGA 3731.5.
Aomori Kō East Breakwater West End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted white. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the west end of the breakwater protecting the eastern part of Aomori harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-1520; Admiralty M6647.5; NGA 3734.
Aomori Breakwater Light
Aomori Kō Breakwater Light, Aomori
Japanese Coast Guard photo

Eastern Higashitsugaru District (Southern Aomori Bay) Lighthouses
Note: These lighthouses are on the mountainous Natsudomari Peninsula, which separates Aomori Bay into eastern and western basins.
Shigeru Inlet Breakwater (Moura Kō)
2000. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft)); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available; Google has a very distant satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater at Moura Kō) about 13 km (8 mi) northeast of Aomori. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1075; JCG-1530; Admiralty M6643.5; NGA 3740.
Mutsu (Mutu) Ōshima
1949. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white flash every 7 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A closeup photo and a distant view are available, Don Boyd has a 1965 photo, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on Mutsu Ōshima, a small island off the tip of the Natsudomari Peninsula, about 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Aomori. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway, but we don't know if there is public access. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-382; JCG-1531; Admiralty F6643; NGA 3760.
* Yasui Saki
1949. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 12 m (39 ft) robust square concrete tower with lantern and a castellated gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo and a second photo are available, but Google's distant satellite view doesn't show this lighthouse. This is a very unusual design. Located on a promontory on the west side of East Aomori Bay about 5 km (3 mi) north of Hiranai. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-754; JCG-1533; Admiralty M6642; NGA 3768.

Western Kamikita District (Eastern Aomori Bay) Lighthouse
Noheji Kō
1954. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. A photo is available, the Coast Guard has a photo of the lighthouse in action, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Noheji, a port at the south end of East Aomori Bay. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1078; JCG-1535; Admiralty M6641; NGA 3780.

Mutsu City: Southern Shimokita Peninsula Lighthouses
Note: Occupying the northeastern corner of Honshū, the Shimokita Peninsula is shaped like an ax being swung to the west. The peninsula is connected to the rest of Honshū by a narrow isthmus (the ax handle) along the east side of Aomori Bay.
Ominato Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red light occulting once every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. A wintry photo is available, but Google has only a distant satellite view. Located on the east (main) breakwater protecting the entrance to Ominato, the harbor district of Mutsu City, at the extreme northeastern corner of Aomori Bay. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1087; Admiralty M6640.2; NGA 3802.
* Kuro Saki (Mutsu Kuro Saki) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1945). Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower with flared top and gallery, but no lantern. Lighthouse painted white with one black horizontal band. Google has a distant satellite view. A photo of the original lighthouse, a square 2-story concrete tower, is available. Located on a promontory midway on the north side of East Aomori Bay, about 20 km (13 mi) southwest of Mutsu. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1072; JCG-1541; Admiralty M6640; NGA 3804.
Mutsu Benten Shima
1945. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a circular concrete base. Lighthouse painted white with a broad black horizontal band. A view from the mainland is at right, a small closeup photo is available, and Google has a distant and fuzzy satellite view. Benten Shima is a huge rock just off the tip of the peninsula enclosing the north side of Aomori Bay. As the photos show, the island looks remarkably like a giant whale. The light guides ships entering or leaving the eastern lobe of the bay. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-044; JCG-1544; Admiralty M6638; NGA 3810.
Wakinosawa Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. A view from the bay is available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Wakinosawa, near the southwestern tip of the Shimokita Peninsula, is the terminal for ferries crossing the mouth of Aomori Bay to Kanita. Located on the east (main) breakwater protecting the entrance to Wakinosawa. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1097; Admiralty M6638.4; NGA 3809.
Mutsu Benten Shima Light
Mutsu Benten Shima Light, Mutsu, June 2004
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Tsuda

Shimokita District: Northwestern Shimokita Peninsula Lighthouses
Oyo Shima (Oyojima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower rising from a round 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Kayaks have a view from the sea, but the island is only a small blur in Google's satellite view. Located on an islet about 1 km (0.6 mi) offshore and 6 km (3.5 mi) south of Sai harbor.
Sai Kō
1997. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower with flared top and gallery, but no lantern. Lighthouse painted red. Tomokazu Kitjaima has a distant view, but Google's distant satellite view doesn't show the light. Located at the end of the breakwater at Sai, a small port about 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Ōma. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1089; JCG-1547.3; Admiralty M6636.7; NGA 3816.
* Ōma Kō West Breakwater
1961. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Ferries cross the Tsugaru Strait from Ōma to Hakodate, Hokkaidō. Located on the west breakwater of the traditional harbor of Ōma (not the ferry harbor). Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-1549; Admiralty M6636; NGA 3828.2.
Ōma Saki
1921. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 25 m (82 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower rising from one corner of a 2-story keeper's house. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands. Fog horn (one 10 s blast every 50 s). A photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with several photos, a closeup is available (first photo on the page), Misty's Tour has a small photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This lighthouse marks the northernmost point of Honshū and the narrowest point of the Tsugaru Strait; from here it is 18 km (11 mi) north to Siokubi Misaki, Hokkaidō. Located on a small island off the point of the cape near the town of Ōma. Accessible only by boat; there's a distant view from the mainland. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2636; JCG-1550; Admiralty M6634; NGA 3832.

Mutsu City: Northern Shimokita Peninsula Lighthouses
Ohata Kō First East Breakwater
1979. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with flared top and gallery, but no lantern. Lighthouse painted red. No photo available, and Google has only a very distant satellite view of the harbor. Located on the easternmost breakwater of several at Ohata, about 12 km (7.5 mi) north of Mutsu. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1080; JCG-1554; Admiralty M6633.5; NGA 3836.
Sakinehama Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. This light is at the far left of a very distant view, and Google has only a very distant satellite view. Sakinehama is the site of Japan's National Ocean Development Center. Located on the west breakwater of Sakinehama. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M6631.4; NGA 3845.
Sakinehama Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 4 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. A very distant view is available, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the east end of the detached breakwater of Sakinehama. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-1554.2; Admiralty M6631.5; NGA 3846.
Sakinehama Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. This light is at the right of a very distant view, and Google has only a very distant satellite view. Located on the east breakwater of Sakinehama. Site and tower closed. Admiralty M6631.6; NGA 3846.5.

Shimokita District: Cape Shiriya Area Lighthouses
Shiriya Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. This light is at the right of a very distant view, and Google has only a very distant satellite view. The Shirya harbor was built as a harbor of refuge for vessels escaping North Pacific storms. Located at the end of the original east breakwater of Shiriya harbor (a new breakwater dobles the length of the protection). Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1093; JCG-1555; Admiralty M6631; NGA 3848.
* Shiriya (Siriya) Saki
1876. Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); white flash every 10 s. 33 m (108 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with excellent photos, Lighthouses in Japan has a fine photo, and a good closeup photo is available, but Google has only a very fuzzy satellite view of the cape. The lighthouse stands at the northeastern tip of Honshū, marking the eastern entrance to Tsugaru Strait. This tall, handsome tower, one of Japan's best known lighthouses, stands at the end of a picturesque peninsula famous for an endangered herd of feral horses. One of the few tall brick lighthouses in Japan, it was restored in 1951. Located at the tip of Cape Shiriya. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-581; JCG-1601; Admiralty M6630; NGA 3852.
* Shiranuka (Siranuka) (2)
Date unknown (station established 1931). Active; focal plane 38 m (125 ft); white flash every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, Lighthouses in Japan has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. A photo shows an earlier, much shorter tower. Located on a bluff at Shiranuka, a small port about 25 km (15 mi) south of Shiriya Saki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-578; JCG-1604; Admiralty M6628; NGA 3860.
Mutsu Ogawara Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); continuous green light with two more intense flashes every 7 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on the south breakwater of Ogawara harbor, about 50 km (30 mi) north of Misawa. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-1076; Admiralty M6627.4; NGA 3878.
Shiriya Saki Light
Shiriya Saki Light, Shimokita, April 2009
Flickr photo copyright lmwroth; used by permission

Misawa City Lighthouse
Mutsu Shiogama (2?)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. NGA lists a skeletal tower for this light. Located in the village of Shiogama, about 30 km (19 mi) north of Hochinohe. JCG-1610; Admiralty M6627; NGA 3880.

Hachinohe City Lighthouses
#Hachinohe North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); two red flashes every 9 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. A view across the harbor is available, Google has a satellite view. In 2011 the Admiralty reported that this lighthouse had been demolished and replaced temporarily by a lightbuoy. Located at the end of the dilapidated north breakwater of Hachinohe (Google's views show that much of this breakwater is broken and underwater). Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1056; JCG-1612; Admiralty M6624.8; NGA 3904.
Hachinohe Kō Middle Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on the detached outer breakwater of Hachinohe, about 400 m (1/4 mi) from the north end. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1055; Admiralty M6624.85; NGA 3906.
* Hatitaro East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); two green flashes every 9 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post rising from a a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a long pier in Hachinohe harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1058; Admiralty M6625.5; NGA 3908.
* Toyosu (Aomori) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, attached to a small concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. A photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of a short breakwater on the east side of Toyosu wharf in Hachinohe. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M6623.6; NGA 3922.
* Kabushima Jetty
1963. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post rising from a a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of short jetty at the east end of Hachinohe harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1065; JCG-1623; Admiralty M6624.4; NGA 3940.
* Samekado
1938. Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); white flash every 8 s. 23 m (75 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, a fine closeup is available, Lighthouses in Japan has a good photo, and Google has a good satellite view. This lighthouse is the landfall light for the port city of Hachinohe. Located on a promontory about 5 km (3 mi) east of Hachinohe. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-535; JCG-1625; Admiralty M6620; NGA 3896.
Samekado Light
Samekado Saki Light, Hachinohe
Japanese Coast Guard photo

Sannohe District (Hashikami) Lighthouse
* Hashikami (Hasikami, Hajikami)
1959. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, mounted on a 1-story equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. Lighthouses of Japan has a good photo, a 2011 photo and another photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff north of the port of Taneichi, very close to the prefectural border, about 15 km (9 mi) southeast of Hachinohe. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-088; JCG-1626; Admiralty M6618; NGA 3944.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Southern Hokkaidō | East: Iwate | West: Yamagata and Akita

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Posted August 15, 2006. Checked and revised June 25, 2012. Lighthouses: 47. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.