Lighthouses of Japan: Nagasaki Area

Nagasaki Prefecture occupies the southwestern side of the island of Kyūshū and includes many islands offshore in the East China Sea and Korea Strait. This page includes lighthouses of the southern part of the prefecture, including the city of Nagasaki itself, the Nomozaki Peninsula to the south, and the Shimabara Peninsula to the southeast. There are separate pages for the Sasebo area to the north, for the island of Tsushima, located halfway between Kyūshū and South Korea, and for the Gotō Islands, an archipelago in the East China Sea west of Nagasaki City. All these territories are administered by Nagasaki Prefecture. In Japanese, the word for a lighthouse is tōdai or toudai (灯台). The words saki and misaki are for capes and headlands, shima (also spelled sima or jima) is an island, wan is a bay, and kō is a harbor. Lighthouses in Japan are operated and maintained by the Japanese Coast Guard's Maritime Safety Agency. There is at least one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture, often two or more. Most of the lighthouses in the area covered by this page are maintained by the Coast Guard office in Nagasaki City; lighthouses of Ariake Bay are maintained by the office at Miike in Fukuoka Prefecture. 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 - Nagasaki A comprehensive site, almost entirely in Japanese. Our Lighthouses of Nagasaki Prefecture A comprehensive collection of photos of Nagasaki lighthouses. Kiso's Lighthouses This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses. Lighthouse-Japan.com - Nagasaki This site has good photos and background information for more than a dozen Nagasaki area lighthouses. Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour - Nagasaki This web site has photos of several Nagasaki area lighthouses. Miike Area Lighthouses Information and photos posted by the Miike Coast Guard Office. Aids to Navigation Information Nagasaki An interactive map leads to information and photos posted by the Nagasaki Coast Guard office. Lighthouses in Nagasaki Prefecture Photos available from Wikimedia. 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.

Kaba Shima Light, Nagasaki City of Nagasaki photo

Shimabara Peninsula Lighthouses

Note: The Shimabara Peninsula separates Ariake Bay on the east from Tachibana Bay on the west. The peninsula is dominated by the Mount Unzen volcano, which was last active in 1990-95.

Unzen City North Coast (Ariake Bay) Lighthouse

* Kunimi Tahira Kō

1963. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. The Miike Coast Guard Office has a photo (#33 on the page), a distant view is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Tahira harbor. Accessible by walking the pier, and there's a good view from ferries sailing between Tahira and Nagasu on the other side of Ariake Bay. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6385; Admiralty M5179.6; NGA 11620.

Shimabara City Lighthouses

Shimabara Shinko Breakwater

1981. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The Miike Coast Guard Office has a photo (#36 on the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located at the north end of a detached breakwater of a relatively new harbor developed for an industrial park on the north side of Shimabara. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2263; JCG-6384; Admiralty M5179.8; NGA 11568.

* Shimabara Kō

1910. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a robust square concrete base. Lighthouse painted white, but two red daymarks are wrapped around three sides of the tower. Our Lighthouses has a page with good photos, the Miike Coast Guard Office has a photo (#37 on the page), and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This is a very unusual lighthouse design for Japan. Located on a reef just off the end of main quay at Shimabara, on the east side of the Shimabara Peninsula. Accessible only by boat, but there is an excellent view from the quay. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2267; JCG-6382; Admiralty M5180; NGA 11572.

Shimabara Breakwater

1963. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. The Miike Coast Guard Office has a photo (#39 on the page), and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of the ferry harbor in Shimabara; ferries sail from here to Kumamoto on the other side of Ariake Bay. Site status unknown. JCG-6380; Admiralty M5181; NGA 11580.

Moso Se

1949. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); one short and one long red flash every 8 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with a large round equipment section. Entire lighthouse is red. The Miike Coast Guard Office has a photo (#39 on the page), but the location is barely visible in Google's satellite view. Located on a shoal about 500 m (0.3 mi) southeast of the Shimabara Breakwater Light. Accessible only by boat, but there is an excellent view from the Shimabara-Kumamoto ferries. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6379; Admiralty M5182; NGA 11576.

Minamishimabara (South Shimabara) City Lighthouses

Okino Se Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) round tower with a large round equipment section, painted black with a red horizontal band. The Miike Coast Guard Office has a photo (#49 on the page), and Bing has a satellite view. Note: this is the last lighthouse on the page maintained by the Miike Coast Guard Office. Located on a rock about 3 km (2 mi) east northeast of the entrance to Kuchinotsu harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6373; Admiralty M5184; NGA 11712. * Kuchinotsu (Kutinotu) 1880. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 6 m (20 ft) octagonal cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story brick keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, the Coast Guard also has a page for the light, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page for the lighthouse, Our Lighthouses has a page with many good photos, Kiso also has a closeup photo (halfway down the page), and Bing has a distant satellite view. This is one of the few surviving brick lighthouses in Japan. Note: this lighthouse and all subsequent lighthouses on the page are maintained by the Nagasaki Coast Guard Office. Located on a promontory overlooking the mouth of Ariake Bay and marking the entrance to Kuchinotsu harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-318; JCG-6370; Admiralty M5186; NGA 11716. * Setsume (Sezume) Saki 1966. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 12 m (39 ft) round post light with a broadly conical base, mounted on a concrete or stone pier at the end of a breakwater. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a closeup, another photo is available (at the bottom of the page), the Coast Guard has a page with a photo, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the extreme southwestern tip of the Shimabara peninsula. Probably accessible by walking the breakwater, but certainly visible from shore. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-553; JCG-6369; Admiralty M5187.3; NGA 11728.

Kuchinotsu Light, Minamishimabara Japanese Coast Guard Seventh Region photo

Unzen City South Coast (Tachibana Bay) Lighthouses

* Shimabara Kunisaki 1998. Active; focal plane 15m (49 ft); white flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical tower with gallery, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A 2009 photo is available, Our Lighthouses has a page with several photos, the Coast Guard has a page with a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the tip of a spit sheltering the harbor of Minamikushiyama. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2268; JCG-6362.2; Admiralty M5187.55; NGA 11729. Kyodomari Kō 1970. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the west breakwater of the main (eastern) harbor of Minamikushiyama. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6362; Admiralty M5187.4; NGA 11732. Isahaya City Lighthouse Syamisen Shima Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15m (49 ft); one short and one long green flash every 8 s. 15 m (49 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted green. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rock near the north shore of Tachibana Bay about 15 m (9 mi) east of Nagasaki. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6361; Admiralty M5187.6; NGA 11736.

Kyodomari Kō Light, Unzen Japanese Coast Guard Nagasaki Office photo

Nagasaki City Lighthouses

Tachibana Bay Lighthouses

* Mogi Kō East Breakwater

1976. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Mogi harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. JCG-6360; Admiralty M5187.64; NGA 11752.

Mogi Kō Outer Breakwater

1990. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the north end of the detached outer breakwater of Mogi harbor. Accessible only by boat, but there's a good view from ferries crossing Tachibana Bay to Amakusa Island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2230; JCG-6360.3; Admiralty M5187.67; NGA 11754.

Kaba Shima Area Lighthouses

Wakimisaki Kō North Breakwater

1964. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north inner breakwater of Wakimisaki harbor; this was formerly the terminal for ferries serving Kabashima. Accessible by walking the pier. JCG-6355; Admiralty M5188; NGA 11740.

Wakimisaki Kō Outer Breakwater North End

1983. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Since the linked photos were taken, the breakwater has been extended and the light relocated to the new end point. Located at the north end of the outer breakwater of Wakimisaki harbor. Accessible only by boat. JCG-6357; Admiralty M5188.3; NGA 11744.

Wakimisaki Kō Outer Breakwater South End

1965. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story pagehas a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the south end of the outer breakwater of Wakimisaki harbor. Accessible only by boat. JCG-6356; Admiralty M5189; NGA 11748.

* Kaba Shima

1932. Active; focal plane 126 m (413 ft); white flash every 20 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete service building. Entire lighthouse is white. 2nd order clamshell Fresnel lens in use. A photo is at the top of this page, Our Lighthouses has a page with excellent photos, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page for the lighthouse, Kiso has a good closeup photo (about 3/4 the way down the page), Misty's Tour has additional photos, the Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. This attractive and popular lighthouse serves a landfall light for Nagasaki and also for Ariake Bay. The island, Kaba Shima, lies just off the tip of the Nomozaki Peninsula about 30 km (19 mi) south southwest of Nagasaki city. The island is accessible by a bridge. The light station area is a nature park; some hiking may be needed to reach the site. Located on the southern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-204; JCG-6352; Admiralty M5191; NGA 11760.

Kabashima Breakwater 1964. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with two more intense flashes every 10 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of a short pier at the northern tip of Kabashima, marking the west entrance to the strait separating the island from the mainland. Accessible by walking the pier. JCG-635; Admiralty M5189.4; NGA 11756. * Kabashima Kō 1988. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light occulting once every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the man breakwater of Kabashima harbor, at the northern tip of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6357.5; Admiralty M5191.4; NGA 11749. Nomozaki (Cape Nomo) Area Lighthouses Ōtachigami (Otategami, Nomo Saki) 1971. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); green flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round white concrete tower attached to a small equipment shelter. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Bing has a distant satellite view. It's not clear how the Coast Guard accesses this light for service. Located atop a rocky pinnacle just off the tip of the Nomozaki Peninsula. Inaccessible, but there's a good view from the tip of the point. Site and tower closed. JCG-6351; Admiralty M5192; NGA 11764.

Kabashima Kō Light, Nagasaki Japanese Coast Guard Nagasaki Office photo

Mitsu (Mitu) Se

1971. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a view from the sea, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on an isolated and dangerous reef about 3.2 km (2 mi) northwest of the tip of the Nomozaki Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2228; JCG-6346; Admiralty M5193.4; NGA 11780.

Nomokita Ura (Nomo Kitaura)

1952. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 12 m (39 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory on the south side of the entrance to the fjord forming the harbor of Nomokita, near the southwestern tip of the Nomozaki Peninsula. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-429; JCG-6347; Admiralty M5193; NGA 11768.

* Nomo Kō

1964. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the north side of the narrow entrance to the harbor at Nomokita. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2241; JCG-6349; Admiralty M5193.2; NGA 11772.

Nagasaki Harbor Lighthouses

Hizen Ha Shima (Hashima, Gunkan Shima)

1975. Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical tower attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Our Lighthouses has a distant view from the mainland, and Bing has a satellite view. Hashima is a small island about 6.5 km (4 mi) off the mainland and 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Nagasaki. A coal mine was operated on the island starting around 1800, and in the 20th century industrial facilities were added. During World War II the island was a labor camp, with the factories worked by prisoners from Korea and China. Mining and other activities continued after the war, but all the buildings are abandoned now. The island is often called Gunkan Shima (Warship Island), because the buildings resemble the superstructure of a warship at a distance. The lighthouse is near the southwestern tip of the island. Site and tower closed (access to the island is restricted because many of the buildings are in hazardous condition). ARLHS JPN-2179; JCG-6345; Admiralty M5193.42; NGA 11784.

Hizen Kuro Se

1968. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 3 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) round tapered concrete tower with a large round equipment section. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rock about 700 m (0.45 mi) off the southern tip of Iō Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2180; JCG-6344; Admiralty M5193.6; NGA 11788.

Onaka Seto West

1971. Inactive since 2010. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room and mounted on a square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. The light was deactivated after construction of a bridge joining Io Shima to the mainland made it unnecessary. Located just off the southeastern tip of Io Shima. Accessible with caution by a narrow bridge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2249; ex-JCG-6332; ex-Admiralty M5193.7; NGA 11800.

*** Iō Shima (Iōjima) (3) 2003 (station established 1871). Active; focal plane 64 m (210 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 11 m (36 ft) hexagonal concrete tower. Entire lighthouse painted white. The 1-story keeper's house and other light station buildings have been renovated as a lighthouse museum. The original Iō Shima lighthouse, designed by Richard Henry Brunton, was a hexagonal cast iron tower, the first cast iron lighthouse to be installed in Japan. This historic building was damaged beyond repair by the atomic bomb attack of 9 August 1945. It was replaced in 1954 by the square cylindrical concrete tower seen on the Lighthouses of Japan page and in the Misty's Tour photos taken in August 2001. In 2003 the lighthouse was either replaced or expanded to a hexagonal tower, reproducing the shape and form of the 1871 original. A photo of the reconstructed tower is at right, Our Lighthouses has a page with excellent photos, Kiso has a good photo and a closeup of the new tower (not quite halfway down the page), a panoramic view taken in May 2006 is also available, and Google has a satellite view. Iō Shima (Iōjima) is an island about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of Nagasaki; the island is accessible by ferry. Located at the northwestern tip of Iō Shima, commanding a sweeping view of the East China Sea. Site open, museum open daily except Mondays, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-172; JCG-6330; Admiralty M5194; NGA 11792. Hira Se (2?) Date unknown (station established 1880). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 14 m (46 ft) round tapered concrete tower with a large round equipment section, painted black with one red horizontal band. The Coast Guard's page has a closeup photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on a reef about 2 km (1.2 mi) off the northeast coast of Iō Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6331; Admiralty M5195; NGA 11796.

Iō Shima Light, Nagasaki Nagasaki Prefecture photo

Onaka Seto North

1969. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. NGA and the Admiralty describe the tower as white, but it is red in the linked photos. Located on a reef at the north end of the strait separating Io Shima from the Onaka Seto Peninsula of the mainland. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2248; JCG-6333; Admiralty M5193.8; NGA 11804.

#Nagasaki Kō

1989. Apparently demolished in 2009. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a tall "dunce-cap" roof. Entire lighthouse was white. Karen Ray also has a 2006 photo, and Google has a satellite view of the location. This attractive lighthouse was removed after only 20 years of service: in 2009 the light was moved to a much smaller tower on a new breakwater about 800 m (1/2 mi) west of the original location. Our Lighthouses has a page with photos of the new light. Located at the end of a detached breakwater on the north side of the entrance to Nagasaki harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-391; JCG-6334; Admiralty M5195.5; NGA 11808.

* Koemachi Kō (Koe Oki)

1979. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post light rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a short breakwater at the entrance to Koemachi, a small boat harbor on the west side of Nagasaki. Accessible by walking the pier. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2207; JCG-6329; Admiralty M5198.8; NGA 11812.

Mie Area Lighthouses

* Shikimi (Sikimi) Kō

1963. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room and mounted on a square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the breakwater of a small boat harbor at Shikimi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2262; JCG-6328; Admiralty M5199; NGA 11828.

Hizen (Hisen) Hira Se

1991. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 17 m (56 ft) round tapered concrete tower with a large round equipment section, painted black with one red horizontal band. The Coast Guard's page has a closeup photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on a reef about 2 km (1.2 mi) off the entrance to Mie harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6327.7; Admiralty M5200; NGA 11826.

Mie Outer Breakwater East End Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green flash every 3 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) round bottle-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the east end of the detached breakwater of Mie harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6327.4; Admiralty M5202.3; NGA 11835. Mie Outer Breakwater West End 1988. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top, attached to a small equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the west end of the detached breakwater of Mie harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6327.3; Admiralty M5202; NGA 11834. * Mie Kō (Nagasaki Gyoko) Range Front 1992. Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); continuous yellow light. 13 m (43 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Our Lighthouses has a page with good photos, the Coast Guard's page has a photo showing both range lights in action, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. The light is displayed from a triangular topmark mounted above the gallery. This light guides vessels into a new harbor that has been developed about 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Nagasaki; these facilities were needed because the traditional harbor is a narrow fjord of limited capacity. The rear light is on a smaller tower higher on the hill. Located on a bluff above the harbor. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-812; JCG-6327.2; Admiralty M5202.5; NGA 11833. * Mie Ura East Breakwater 1965. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red flash every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room and mounted on a square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the breakwater of the traditional small boat harbor at Mie. Accessible by walking the pier. Site and tower closed. JCG-6327; Admiralty M5203; NGA 11832.

Mie Outer Breakwater East End Light Japanese Coast Guard photo

Nō Se

1960. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); one short and one long green flash every 8 s. 15 m (49 ft) round conical tower, painted green. The Coast Guard's page has a photo, a distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the southwesternmost islet of a rocky reef extending southwestward just west of the Mie harbor entrance. Accessible only by boat, although there is probably a good view from the mainland. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6326; Admiralty M5201; NGA 11836.

Saikai City Lighthouses

Ōhiki Shima (Ō Se)

1965. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 4 s. 15 m (49 ft) round tapered concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 11 km (7 mi) west southwest of Seto Kō. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2243; JCG-6325; Admiralty M5207; NGA 11840.

Kashira Shima 1970. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) round tapered concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard has a page with the photo at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry about 3 km (1.8 mi) south of Saikai. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2197; JCG-6324; Admiralty M5207.6; NGA 11856. * Seto Fukushima Kō (South Breakwater) 1966. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard has a page with a photo, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Seto harbor in Saikai. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6323; Admiralty M5208; NGA 11852. Seto Fukushima Kō North Breakwater Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard has a page with a distant view, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Seto harbor in Saikai. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2261; JCG-6322; Admiralty M5208.4; NGA 11848. Nezumi Se Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); six quick white flashes followed by one long white flash every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with a large round equipment section. Upper half of the tower painted yellow, lower half black. A photo is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a rock about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) west of the Saikai waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6319; Admiralty M5209; NGA 11844

Kashira Shima Light, Saikai Japanese Coast Guard Nagasaki Office photo

Kabuto Shima (Kabutojima) (2?)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round white concrete tower. Our Lighthouses has a distant view, but no closeup photo is available and Google has only a blur in its satellite view. Located on a reef in the channel between Ōshima and the mainland of the Nishisonogi Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-803; JCG-6314; Admiralty M5210; NGA 11872.

Mitoko Shima (Mitokojima)

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. No closeup photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on an island about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of Sakito. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-363; JCG-6305; Admiralty M5211; NGA 11900.

Ōdate (O-Date) Shima

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 85 m (279 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower with gallery. A distant view is available (#6308, about 1/4 the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located on an isolated high island about 20 km (13 mi) west of Mitoko Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-468; JCG-6308; Admiralty M5204; NGA 11864.

Yoko Sone

1987. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); six quick white flashes followed by one long white flash every 15 s. 24 m (79 ft) tower. Upper half of the tower painted yellow, lower half black. Located on an isolated rock 25 km (15 mi) west southwest of Mitoko Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-6309.2; Admiralty M5224.5; NGA 11906.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Sasebo Area | South: Amakusa Islands | East: Kumamoto Area | West: Gotō Islands

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Posted August 6, 2007. Checked and revised February 9, 2013. Lighthouses: 47. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.