Lighthouses of Japan: Ōita

Located at the southwestern end of the Japanese archipelago, Kyūshū is divided into seven prefectures. This page includes lighthouses of Ōita Prefecture on the northeastern coast of the island. Northern Ōita faces northeast on the Inland Sea, which separates Kyūshū from Honshū. Southern Ōita faces east on the Bungo Strait, which separates Kyūshū from Shikoku.

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. 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 - Ōita
A comprehensive site, although almost entirely in Japanese. There's also a page on Lighthouses by R. H. Brunton listing the earliest Western-style Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouse of Japan - Ōita
Another comprehensive site, in Japanese.
Kiso's Lighthouses
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Japanese Lighthouses - Ōita
A large collection of photos of Ōita lighthouses.
Our Lighthouses in Ōita Prefecture
A comprehensive collection of photos of Ōita lighthouses.
Main Lighthouses of Ōita Prefecture
Information on the Hime Shima, Seki Saki, Mizunoko Shima and Tsurumi Saki lighthouses, posted by the Ōita Coast Guard Office.
Region Ten Lighthouses
Information and photos posted by the Tenth Coast Guard Region office, which is responsible for Miyazaki Prefecture.
Modern Lighthouse Design
Posted by the Japan Aids to Navigation Association (JANA), this page links to descriptions and photos of interesting modern lighthouses throughout Japan.
The Famous Fifty Lighthouses
Photos of the lighthouses voted most famous in Japan, posted by the Eighth Coast Guard Region. Two of the fifty stand in the area covered by this page (Mizunoko Shima and Toi Misaki).
 

Seki Saki Light
Seki Saki Light, Ōita City
Japanese Coast Guard photo

Lighthouses of Ōita Prefecture

Nakatsu City Lighthouses
Nakatsu West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); one short and one long red flash every 8 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Located at the end of the detached west breakwater of Nakatsu. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2306; JP-5265; Admiralty M4977; NGA 9726.
Imazu
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower attached to a small equipment shelter, mounted on a concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. Located on a shoal off the entrance to Imazu. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-5264; Admiralty M4976.2; NGA 9716.
* Buzen Imazu Kō
1928. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view of the location. Located at the end of a pier enclosing the small boat harbor of Imazu. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2305; JP-5263.8; Admiralty M4975.5; NGA 9714.
* Buzen Nakatsu Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a distant satellite view of the location. Located at the end of a pier enclosing the small boat harbor of Buzen. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2306; JP-5263; Admiralty M4975; NGA 9712.
Bungo Takada
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two red flashes every 8 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view of the location. Located at the end of a 2.6 km (1.6 mi) long training wall along the west side of the entrance channel for the Bungo Takada harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-5262; Admiralty M4974.6; NGA 9708.

Kunasaki City Lighthouses
* Kakazi (Kakaji) Kō North Breakwater
1964. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Kakazi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2313; JP-5261; Admiralty M4974.2; NGA 9704.
* Kakazi (Kakaji, Kak Azi)
1951. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a semi-elliptical 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a distant satellite view of the cape. Located at the tip of a long promontory sheltering the east side of the harbor of Kakazi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2312; JP-5260; Admiralty M4974; NGA 9700.
* Biwa Saki
1950. Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower rising from a round 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos, additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a promontory about 3 km (2 mi) east of Kakazi. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-046; JP-5259; Admiralty M4971; NGA 9696.
* Taketatsu (Takeda, Taketazu) Kō North Breakwater
1964. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. This port is the terminal for ferries crossing the Inland Sea to Tokuyama in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Honshū. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Taketatsu. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2336; JP-5258; Admiralty M4972; NGA 9692.
Tarō Iwa
1970. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); continuous white light. 7 m (23 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with a large round concrete lantern. Entire lighthouse is white. This is a "spot" lighthouse: it shines a beam, directly on a rock or shoal vessels must avoid. Additional photos are available. Located on a promontory about 1.6 km (1 mi) east of the Biwa Saki lighthouse. Site status unknown. JP-5257.
* Imi Kō North Breakwater
1964. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Imi, the terminal for ferries to Hime Shima. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2310; JP-5256; Admiralty M4969; NGA 9688.
* Himeshima Kō East Breakwater
1966. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Hime Shima is an island about 5 km (3 mi) long off the northeastern coast of Ōita. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Hime Shima, the terminal for ferries from Imi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JP-5254; Admiralty M4968.6; NGA 9684.
* Himeshima Kō Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Located at the west end of the detached outer breakwater of Hime Shima harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty M4968.7; JP-5253.8.
* Hime Shima
1904. Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); four white flashes every 30 s. 12 m (39 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story stone keeper's cottage. Fresnel lens in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo appears at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, the Ōita Coast Guard Office has a page for the lighthouse, additional photos are available, and Google has a very distant satellite view of the location. This is one of the last built of the stone Inland Sea lighthouses. It marks the eastern end of Hime Shima. There is a village below the lighthouse, and the light station is accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-117; JP-5252; Admiralty M4968; NGA 9676.

Hime Shima Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
* Kunasaki Kō East Breakwater
1984. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Located at the end of the east breakwater of Kunasaki. Accessible by walking the pier (a long walk). Site open, tower closed. JP-5007; Admiralty M4965; NGA 9428.

Kitsuki City Lighthouses
* Usuisi Hana (2)
1952 (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); one long white flash every 15 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory just off the coastal road, at the northern entrance to Beppu Bay, about 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Beppu city and 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Morie. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-730; JP-5000; Admiralty M4962; NGA 9421.
Morie Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); one short and one long red flash every 8 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower rising from one end of an elliptical 1-story concrete base. Entire lighthouse painted red. A Coast Guard photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Morie Bay is a natural harbor sheltered by a long spit on its eastern side. The lighthouse is located on a sandbar just off the end of the spit. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4999; Admiralty M4956; NGA 9416.

Beppu City Lighthouses
Beppu Outer Breakwater North Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. T. Bell has a photo, additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. The harbor of Beppu, at the head of Beppu Bay, is protected by a detached breakwater parallel to the shore. Located at the north end of the breakwater. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2304; JP-4998; Admiralty M4954.5; NGA 9404.

Morie Light
Morie Kō Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo

Beppu Outer Breakwater South Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was presumably built at the south end of the Beppu Outer Breakwater, but the breakwater has since been extended about 90 m (300 ft). Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2303; JP-4997; Admiralty M4954; NGA 9400.

Ōita City Lighthouses
Ōita Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round strongly conical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of a newer harbor at Otozu, on the west side of Ōita, the prefectural capital. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2324; JP-4995; Admiralty M4951; NGA 9392.
* Ōita Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); green flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round strongly conical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater of a newer harbor at Otozu, on the west side of Ōita, the prefectural capital. Site and tower closed. JP-4994; Admiralty M4950; NGA 9388.
Sumiyoshi Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Sumiyoshi harbor in Ōita. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2334; JP-4993; Admiralty M4948.6; NGA 9384.
Sumiyoshi Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the short east breakwater of Sumiyoshi harbor in Ōita. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2333; JP-4992; Admiralty M4948.4; NGA 9380.
Otozu Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 3 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of the industrial Otozu harbor in eastern Ōita. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2326; JP-4988; Admiralty M4947.7; NGA 9364.
Otozu Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater of the Otozu harbor. Site and tower closed. JP-4987; Admiralty M4947.74; NGA 9360.
Tsurasaki (Misa) Kō West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of the Tsurasaki petroleum harbor in Ōita. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2320; JP-4985; Admiralty M4947.5; NGA 9352.
Tsurasaki (Misa) Kō East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater of Tsurasaki petroleum harbor in Ōita. Site and tower closed. JP-4984; Admiralty M4947.4; NGA 9348.
Ōita Kō East Breakwater Light
Ōita Kō East Breakwater Light
Japanese Coast Guard photo
Ōita Northeast Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a very fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of a detached breakwater at the northeast end of the Ōita waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-4982.6; Admiralty M4947.09; NGA 9338.
Hiyosibaru Hakuti East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery; the lantern carries a traditional tall "dunce cap" roof. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a detached breakwater at the end of the easternmost harbor of the Ōita metropolitan area. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2309; JP-4982.5; Admiralty M4947.08; NGA 9322.
* Saganoseki Kō Northern Harbor West Breakwater
1970. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a very fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of a short breakwater at Saganoseki's northern harbor, on the north side of the Saganoseki peninsula. Accessible by walking the pier. ARLHS JPN-2329; JP-4981; Admiralty M4946.6; NGA 9320.
Bungo Hira Se
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. A photo is available (first photo on the page), but Google's fuzzy satellite view does not show the light. Located about 1.5 km (1 mi) northeast of the Seki Saki lighthouse (next entry). Accessible only by boat, but visible from shore. Site open, tower closed. JP-4977; Admiralty M4947; NGA 9300.
* Seki Saki
1901. Active; focal plane 69 m (226 ft); white light, 4 s on, 4 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a circular 1-story cast iron keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several good photos, the Ōita Coast Guard Office has a page for the lighthouse, additional photos and a lovely spring photo are available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. The keeper's house is circular in form, but it only covers 3/4 of the circle. This lighthouse repeats in iron a common design used for stone lighthouses throughout the Inland Sea. This important lighthouse marks the northern entrance to the Bungo Strait (Bungo-suidō), a broad sound separating the islands of Kyūshū and Shikoku. At the northern end of the sound there is a relatively narrow passage, about 17 km (11 mi) wide, between the outstretched "fingers" of Seki Saki on Kyūshū and Sada Misaki on Shikoku. Located on the point of the cape; in fair weather it should be possible to see Sada Misaki Light on Shikoku. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-550; JP-4979; Admiralty M4946; NGA 9308.
Ashike (Asike) Bae
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) round tapered concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available (second photo on the page), also a very distant view from the mainland. Located at the eastern point of a small island about 3.2 km (2 mi) east of Seki Saki. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty JP-4978; M4947.04; NGA 9304.
* Saganoseki Kō East Breakwater
1963. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Saganoseki is a former fishing port, now mostly a harbor for recreational craft, in the lee of Seki Saki. Located at the end of the east breakwater of Saganoseki. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2328; JP-4980; Admiralty M4944; NGA 9316.
* Saganoseki Gyoko
1986. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view of the harbor. Located at the end of a breakwater of a harbor about 1 km (0.6 mi) south of Saganoseki. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2327; JP-4979.5; Admiralty M4945; NGA 9312.

Usuki City Lighthouses
Shitanoe (Shimonoe)
1951. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white light, 6 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available (next to last photo on the page), and additional photos are available, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the area. Located on a promontory on the south side of the harbor of Shitanoe. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2332; JP-5729; Admiralty M4943; NGA 10568.
* Usuki Kō
Date unknown (station established 1939). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white light, 6 s on, 2 s off. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater at Usuki. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JP-5727; Admiralty M4940; NGA 10560.

Tsukumi City Lighthouses
Tsukumi Kō Detached Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white (NGA lists it incorrectly as being green). Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the breakwater. Located on a breakwater in Tsukumi harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2340; JP-5723; Admiralty M4930; NGA 10548.
Chinu Saki
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower flared at the top. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view of the location. Located at the end of a breakwater off the Chinu Saki promontory, on the south side of the entrance to Tsukumi Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-5721; Admiralty M4929; NGA 10552.
Takago Iwa
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 3 s. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. No closeup photo available; Google has an indistinct satellite view. NGA lists the tower height as 28 ft, but this clearly too low. Located at the end of a long reef extending into Bungo Strait off Hotojima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-5716; Admiralty M4922; NGA 10524.

Saiki City Lighthouses
Mizunoko Shima
1904. Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); white flash every 10 s. 39 m (128 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story stone keeper's house. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. A Coast Guard photo is at right, the Ōita Coast Guard Office has a page for the lighthouse, and Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with excellent closeup photos. The lighthouse was repaired after being heavily damaged during World War II. The onshore keeper's station at Tsurumi in Saiki City, used until 1962, is now incorporated into the Bungo Strait Maritime Museum; a photo is available. This is one of Japan's tallest lighthouses. Located on an isolated rock in the center of the Bungo Strait about 25 km (15 mi) east northeast of Saiki. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-369; JP-5701; Admiralty M4912; NGA 10464.
Todo Hana (Saiki)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white light occulting once every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available (3/4 of the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse guides vessels into the port of Saiki. Located at the southern point of Onyu Shima, an island just off the coast on the north side of Saiki harbor. Accessible only by boat; there should be at least a distant view from ferries crossing Bungo Strait between Saiki and Sukomo, Shikoku. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2337; JP-5711; Admiralty M4918; NGA 10580.
Mizunoko Lighthouse
Mizunoko Shima Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
Saiki Kō Detached Breakwater West Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two green flashes every 7 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the west end of a detached breakwater in Saiki harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-5713; Admiralty M4920.2; NGA 10588.
Saiki Kō Detached Breakwater East Head
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the west end of a detached breakwater in Saiki harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JP-5712; Admiralty M4920; NGA 10592.
*** Tsurumi (Turumi) Saki
1981. Active; focal plane 197 m (646 ft); white flash every 8 s. 14.5 m (48 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A lighthouse museum has been built adjacent to the lighthouse. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with many photos, a good closeup photo and additional photos of the lighthouse are available, the Ōita Coast Guard Office has a page for the lighthouse including the photo at right, Kiso also has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Tsurumi Saki is the tip of a long, ragged peninsula pointing due east into Bungo Strait; the cape is the easternmost point of the Kyūshū mainland. A good photo of the site is also available. On a clear day the mountains of Shikoku, 35 km (22 mi) to the east, can be seen from the lighthouse. Located about 20 km (13 mi) east of Saiki. Accessible by road. Site open, museum open daily, tower status unknown but probably open. ARLHS JPN-141; JP-5703; Admiralty M4909.8; NGA 10608.
Matsukiri Hana (Yonozu Hakuti)
1974. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of a sharp promontory at the entrance to the harbor of Iromiyo. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2341; JP-6788; Admiralty M4909.1; NGA 10610.
* Kamae Kō
1951. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower rising from a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available (last photo on the page), also additional photos, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located on a promontory on the east side of the harbor of Kamae. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2314; JP-6785; Admiralty M4908; NGA 10624.
Tsurumi Saki Light
Tsurumi Saki Light; Japanese Coast Guard photo
* #Kamae Kō Breakwater (1)
1976. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 3 s. This was a 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower rising from a 1-story concrete equipment room, but a more recent photo shows that the light is now on a simple fiberglass post. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view of the breakwater. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Kamae. Accessible by walking the pier. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2314; JP-6784; Admiralty M4908.4; NGA 10628.
Huka Shima (Huka Se)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) three-stage tower: a round cylindrical tower about a square "watch" room atop a larger square equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Huka Shima is an island about 1.6 km (1 mi) long and 800 m (1/2 mi) wide, located a short distance off the coast of Kyūshū at the western entrance to the Bungo Strait. Located on the heights at the southern end of the island. Site status unknown. JP-6781; Admiralty M4906; NGA 10632

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Northern Kyūshū | East: Western Ehime | South: Miyazaki

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted June 25, 2007. Checked and revised January 8, 2011. Lighthouses: 49. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.