Lighthouses of Japan: Northern Ehime

Smallest of the Japanese main islands, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures. This page includes lighthouses of northern Ehime Prefecture, a coastline facing north on the Inland Sea. This is a scenic and well populated coast with numerous harbors.

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. Lighthouses in northern Ehime are managed by the offices at Matsuyama and Imabari.

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 - Ehime
A comprehensive site, although almost entirely in Japanese.
Lighthouse of Japan - Ehime
Another comprehensive site, in Japanese, with many photos.
Kiso's Lighthouses
This site has many excellent photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour - Ehime
Photos and a few notes in English for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Kato's Lighthouses
Photos and notes from all parts of Japan.
Ehime Lighthouses
Photos and travel directions for accessible lighthouses.
Lighthouses (Ehime Prefecture)
Another photo collection.
Imabari Coast Guard Office - Aids to Navigation
Interactive map linking to pages for the lighthouses.
Lighthouse Photo Gallery
Photos from the web site of the Sixth Coast Guard Region.
Meiji Lighthouses of the Sixth Region
Also posted by the Sixth Coast Guard Region, information and photos concerning lighthouses built in the Meiji period (1868-1912).
The Japanese Lighthouse - Ehime
A collection of photos of lighthouses.

Tsuru Shima Light
Tsurushima Light, Matsuyama
Japanese Coast Guard Sixth Region photo

Matsuyama City Lighthouses

Matsuyama Harbor Lighthouses
* Masaki Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 8 m (26 ft) concrete post attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. A closeup photo is available (last photo in the set), and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater of Masaki Harbor in southern Matsuyama. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4956; Admiralty M5432; NGA 9260.
Nishi Habuhakuchi Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) concrete post attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located at the north end of the detached breakwater of Nichi Habuhakuchi harbor, in the southern part of the city of Matsuyama. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4955; Admiralty M5432.8; NGA 9256.
Matsuyama Kō Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (56 ft); two red flashes every 7 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Kato has a page with photos, a sunset photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the north end of the detached outer breakwater of Matsuyama, the capital city of Ehime prefecture. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-4947.5; Admiralty M5433.8; NGA 9240.
* Matsuyama Kō Inner Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is red. Bing has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of a short breakwater at the entrance to Matsuyama'a inner harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4948; Admiralty M5434; NGA 9244.

Katsuna Islands Lighthouses
Note: The Katsuna Islands stretch northwestward from Matsuyama across the Seto Inland Sea.
Yuri Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. 12 m (39 ft) concrete post rising from a round 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso has a photo, another photo is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the southeastern tip of Yuri Shima, an uninhabited island about 15 km (9 mi) west of the Matsuyama waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. JCG-4914; Admiralty M5645; NGA 9140.
Nenasi Syo
1902. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 17 m (56 ft) round strongly conical stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a round pier. Lighthouse painted black with a red horizontal band. Kiso has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal off the eastern tip of Yashiro Shima, at the northeastern corner of Iyo Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4929; Admiralty M5446; NGA 9188.
* Tsurushima (Turu Shima)
1873 (Richard Henry Brunton). Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); flash every 8 s, alternately red and white. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower rising from a semicircular stone keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Kazunori Seki has a 2009 photo, Wikimedia has a closeup photo, Kiso has an excellent photo, a visitor has a report with photos, and a Google satellite view is available. The keeper's house and other buildings of the station gradually fell into ruins after the lighthouse was automated in 1955. In 1995, the city of Matsuyama acquired all of the station except the light tower and carefully restored the buildings to their original appearance. Tsurushima is a kidney-shaped island about 7 km (4 mi) west of Matsuyama. Located on a hillside above the town, at the northern end of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-696; JCG-4901; Admiralty M5436; NGA 9128.
Fuguri (Huguri) Iwa
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); six quick white flashes and one long white flash every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, mounted on a round concrete pier. Upper half of the tower painted yellow, lower half black. Bing has a satellite view. Located on a shoal off the southern tip of the island of Nakajima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4903; Admiralty M5651.7; NGA 9132.
Kudako Shima
1903. Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Kiso has a distant photo, a fuzzy photo is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on a small island about 1.5 km (1 mi) west of Heyano Hana. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-296; JCG-4926; Admiralty M5450; NGA 9176.
Heyano Hana
1971. Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 11.5 m (38 ft) two-stage round concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso also has a photo, but Bing has only a very distant satellite view. Located on the western tip of the island of Nakajima in the Inland Sea about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Matsuyama. Site status unknown, but possibly accessible by road. ARLHS JPN-106; JCG-4927; Admiralty M5451; NGA 9180.
Aburitori Se
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two green flashes, one short and one long, every 8 s. 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower mounted on a round concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is green. No photo available, and clouds block Bing's satellite view. Located on a reef off the southeast coast of Tsuwaji Shima, the northwesternmost of the Katsuna Islands. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4928; Admiralty M5646.7; NGA 9184.
Kudako Shima Light
Kudako Shima Light, Matsuyama
Japanese Coast Guard Sixth Region photo
Kazekiri Hana
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower mounted on a large square concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is available (third photo on the page), and Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the extreme northeastern tip of Nuwa Shima. Probably accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2390; JCG-4925; Admiralty M5649; NGA 9172.
Uta Saki
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the extreme northern tip of the island of Nakajima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2425; JCG-4671; Admiralty M5651.3; NGA 8900.
Nogutsuna (Nobutsuna) Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light occulting twice every 12 s. 6.5 m (21 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, attached to a 1-story equipment shelter and mounted on a large stone pier. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard has a small photo (upper right photo in the group), but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. NGA misspells the name as "Nokutuna." Located at the southeastern tip of Nogutsuna Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2408; JCG-4628; Admiralty M5652; NGA 8776.
Ho Saki
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two green flashes, one short and one long, every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower mounted on a round concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is green. Google has a satellite view. Located just off the point of Ho Saki, the southeastern tip of Muzuki Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4629; Admiralty M5651.8; NGA 8780.
Ai Shima (Aijima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower. A closeup photo is available (1/5 the way down the page), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island in Aki Bay about 13 km (8 mi) northwest of Hojo. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-006; JCG-4669; Admiralty M5445; NGA 8896.
Uta Saki Light
Uta Saki Light, Matsuyama, June 2011
Panoramio photo copyright HRShd; permission requested
Tumuri Saki
1972. Active; focal plane 47 m (154 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Additional photos are available, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located at the northeastern tip of the island of Gogo Shima about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Hojo. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-691; JCG-4641; Admiralty M5437; NGA 8812.

Northern Matsuyama Lighthouses
* Horie West Harbor Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. A closeup photo is available, and Bing has a distant satellite view. Located on the main breakwater of a small boat harbor at Horie in Matsuyama. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2373; JCG-4640; Admiralty F5439; NGA 8810.
* Hojo (Hozyo) Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three green flashes every 7 s. 10 m (32 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the north side of the entrance to Hojo harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2375; JCG-4637; Admiralty F5442; NGA 8800.
* Hazumano (Hazuma No) Hana
1966. Active; focal plane 62 m (203 ft); white light occulting once every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post light rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Located on the tip of a sharp promontory on the mainland of Shikoku about 3 km (2 mi) north of Hojo. Another photo is available, there's a page by another recent visitor, and a Google satellite view shows that access to the light is through an industrial or warehouse facility of some kind. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-097; JCG-4636; Admiralty F5444; NGA 8796.
Hojo Kō Light
Sunset at Hojo Kō Light, Matsuyama, September 2012
Panoramio photo copyright Akihiro Matsuda; used by permission
Shiode Iso
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); one short and one long red flash every 8 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is red. Another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef about 1 km (0.6 mi) northwest of Asanami. Accessible only by boat, but easy to see from shore. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4635; Admiralty F5447; NGA 8792.

Imabari City (Kurushima Strait) Lighthouses

Note: Imabari is a city near the end of the Kurushima peninsula, which projects northward into the Inland Sea. The Kurushima Strait, a busy and hazardous passage, connects Aki Bay west of the peninsula to Bingo Bay on the east.
Western Imabari Lighthouses
* Kikuma Kō
1930. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is red. Akihiro Matsuda's photo is at right, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Kikuma, a fishing harbor in southwestern Imabari. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2391; JCG-4634; Admiralty F5446; NGA 8790.
* Kurushima Kazitori Hana
1962. Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); two short white flashes followed one long white flash, every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. There's a page for the lighthouse, the Coast Guard has a page, Kiso has a view from the sea, another photo is available (a little over halfway down the page, number 4618), and Google has a satellite view. Kazitori Hana is a peninsula that projects westward into the Inland Sea about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Imabari. The Kazitori Hana Sea Berth, a deepwater terminal for oil tankers, has been developed on the north side of the peninsula. This lighthouse is located on a headland on the west side of that harbor. Accessible by road, although some local guidance may be needed to find the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-311; JCG-4618; Admiralty M5450; NGA 8772.
Nishiura (Nisiura) Oki
1966. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two red flashes, one short and one long, every 8 s. 9 m (30 ft)round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Another page for the lighthouse is available, the Coast Guard's page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 200 m (220 yd) offshore and 1.5 km (1 mi) south of the tip of the Kurushima peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-4617; Admiralty M5452; NGA 8764.
Kikuma Light
Kikuma Kō Light, Imabari, October 2012
Panoramio photo copyright Akihiro Matsuda; used by permission

Kurushima Strait Lighthouses
Ikada Iso
Date unknown (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); one long and two short red flashes every 8 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. There's a page for the lighthouse, the Coast Guard's page has a closeup, another photo and a third photo (a little over halfway down the page, number 4616) are available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks an especially narrow passage in the Inland Sea, where vessels round the tip of the Kurushima peninsula, a sharp promontory north of Imabari. Located on a bare rock about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) northwest of the promontory and 7 km (4.5 mi) northwest of Imabari. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-783; JCG-4616; Admiralty M5454; NGA 8760.
Hiro Se (Namikata Kō)
1963. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. Kiso has a page with photos, the Coast Guard page has a good photo, another photo is available (a little over halfway down the page, number 4614), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rock off the harbor of Namikata, about 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Imabari. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-4614; Admiralty M5459.4; NGA 8752.
Naka Iso (Nakano Iso, Kurushima Naka Iso)
1960. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); one short and one long green flash every 8 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse painted green. In the background of the linked photo is the Kurushima-Kaikyō (Kurushima Strait) Bridge, a series of three suspension bridges that is part of the Western Seto Expressway joining Honshū and Shikoku. Kato has a page for the light, the Coast Guard page has a photo, another page and another photo are available, and Bing has a satellite view. Located on a rock northwest of the bridge and northeast of Namikata. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-790; JCG-4613; Admiralty M5459.3; NGA 8748.
O Shima
1960. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); four red flashes, in a long-short-long-short pattern (Morse code "C"), every 13 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Lighthouse painted red. A Coast Guard photo is at right, another photo is available (about halfway down the page, number 4612), there's a page for the light, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks a major turn for vessels in the main channel of the Kuroshima Strait. Located on a rock just off the northeast point of O Shima -- not the big Ōshima (see below) but a much smaller island on the northwest side of the Kurushima-Kaikyō bridge. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-792; JCG-4612; Admiralty M5458; NGA 8744.
O Shima Light
O Shima Light, Imabari
Japanese Coast Guard Imabari Office photo

Ōge Shima Lighthouses
Note: Ōge Shima is a relatively small island about 11 km (6.5 mi) north of Imabari. It is well north of the east-west channels of the Kurushima Strait, but it marks a narrow passage in the old ferry route across the Seto Inland Sea from Imabari on Shikoku to Takehara on Honshū. For some reason, the two lighthouses of the island are separated by several pages in the NGA listings; they are not even in the same section!
Ōge Shima
1897. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story stone keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse painted white. A photo is at right, the Coast Guard page has a nice photo, Kiso has a lovely photo of this historic lighthouse, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a sharp promontory on the west side of the island. Site status unknown. JCG-4488; Admiralty M5700; NGA 8524.
Agono Hana (Ago No Hana)
1988. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A page for the lighthouse has two photos, Kiso has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the extreme southeastern tip of Ōge Shima, about 2000 m (1.2 mi) southeast of the historic lighthouse. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-779; JCG-4488.3; Admiralty M5700.5; NGA 8746.

Hakata Shima Lighthouses
Note: Hakata Shima is an island east of Omi Shima and north of O Shima. The Nishiseto Expressway crosses the island, bridging to both of the neighboring islands.
Shimo Komaruko Shima (Simo Komaru Koshima)
1962. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two white flashes every 7 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso has a photo, the Coast Guard page has a closeup, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view of the island. Located on an island in the narrow channel separating Hakata Shima and Uma Shima, two islands north of Ōshima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2420; JCG-4517; Admiralty M5481; NGA 8580.
Funaore (Hunaore) Iwa
1945. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); one short and one long red flash every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, mounted on a large concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is red. The Coast Guard page has a good photo, Kiso has a photo, and Google has a good satellite view. Located on a reef outside Hakata harbor, on the south side of Hakata Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4515; Admiralty M5478; NGA 8572.
Ōge Shima Light
Ōge Shima Light, Imabari
Japanese Coast Guard Sixth Region photo
Hakata Kō
1939. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Hakata harbor, on the east side of the island. Site status unknown. JCG-4513; Admiralty M5476; NGA 8564.
Mutsu Se
1945. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three quick white flashes every 10 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower, mounted on a concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one yellow horizontal band. The Coast Guard page has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef off the southeastern tip of Hakata Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4514; Admiralty M5477; NGA 8568.

Ōshima Lighthouses
Note: Ōshima is a large island crossed by the Nishiseto Expressway between Shikoku and Honshū. The Kurushima-Kaikyō (Kurushima Strait) Bridge connects Ōshima to Imabari.
Nakato Shima
1900. Reactivated (inactive 1990-2012); focal plane 40 m (131 ft); flash every 12 s, alternately green and white. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story stone keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white. Kiso has a good photo and also a second photo showing the proximity of the lighthouse to the Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge; the Coast Guard has a page for the station, and Google has a satellite view. The inactive lighthouse remained in use as a tide signal station helping to direct traffic in the strong tidal currents of the crowded Kurushima Strait. The page for the lighthouse has photos of the tide signals. Located at the west end of an island in the passage between Ōshima and Uma Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. JCG-4606.3; Admiralty M5461.5.
[Tsu Shima (Tide Signal Station)]
Date unknown. Approx. 11 m (36 ft) semicircular tower rising from a 1-story building. Entire building is white. This station and the Nakato Shima station (previous entry) display red or green signal lights regulating traffic in the strong tidal currents of the crowded Kurushima Strait. The station has a strong resemblance to a lighthouse but it is not listed as a regular aid to navigation. Located at the west end of Tsu Shima, an island off the southwest coast of Ōshima. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown.
Watamaki Iso
1965. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a small concrete pier. Lighthouse painted black with one red horizontal band. A photo is available (about 1/4 the way down the page, #4521), the Coast Guard page has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a shoal in the entrance to Yoshiumi harbor, on the west side of Ōshima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4521; Admiralty M5480.4; NGA 8588.
* Kayatomari Hana
1955. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white flash every 4 s. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical white concrete tower with gallery. A page for the lighthouse has a good photo, another photo is available (about 1/4 the way down the page, #4519), the Coast Guard page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located beside the coastal highway on the northwestern point of Ōshima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-252; JCG-4519; Admiralty M5480; NGA 8584.
Ryuzin (Ryujin) Shima
Date unknown (station established 1917). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) round concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, another photo is available (about 1/3 the way down the page, number 4604), Kato has a page with distant views, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry off the southern tip of Uma Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-518; JCG-4604; Admiralty M5464; NGA 8712.
Ryuzin Shima Light
Ryuzin Shima Light, Imabari
Japanese Coast Guard Imabari Office photo
Okino Se
1982. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round vase-shaped concrete tower, painted black with one red horizontal band. Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef off the southeast coast of Ōshima, about 10 km (6 mi) east of the Kuroshima Strait. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4567; Admiralty M5470.3; NGA 8696.

Uma Shima Lighthouses
Note: Uma Shima is a small island in the Kurushima Strait. The main shipping channel of the Kuroshima Strait passes through the narrow gap between Uma Shima and the mainland. The Kurushima-Kaikyo (Kurushima Strait) Bridge crosses the island; there is an exit to the island and a parking area is provided. Hiking trails lead to the three lighthouses.
* Uzu Hana
1938. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, the Coast Guard page also has a photo, Lighthouses of Japan also has a page for the lighthouse, there's another page for the lighthouse, Kiso has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands on the southern tip of Uma Shima. The lighthouse is accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-736; JCG-4609; Admiralty M5460; NGA 8732.
* Koura Saki
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); white light occulting once every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post light attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard page has a photo, Lighthouses of Japan also has a page for the lighthouse, there's another page, Kiso has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands on the western tip of Uma Shima. The lighthouse is accessible by a hiking trail and commands a spectacular view of the strait and the bridge. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-292; JCG-4610; Admiralty M5459.7; NGA 8736.
* Nagase Hana
1961. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan also has a page for the lighthouse, the Coast Guard page has a good photo, another page has a closeup photo, Kiso has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse stands on the eastern tip of Uma Shima. The lighthouse is accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-392; JCG-4611; Admiralty M5461; NGA 8740.
Uzu Hana Light
Uzu Hana Light, Imabari
Japanese Coast Guard photo

Imabari Harbor Lighthouses
Ama Se (Kuroshima Amase)
1965. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a round conical stone pier. Entire lighthouse is red. Several photos of the lighthouse in action are available, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 250 m (1/6 mi) south of the Imabari end of the Kurushima-Kaikyo (Kurushima Strait) Bridge. Accessible only by boat, but easily seen from shore. Site open, tower closed. JCG-4608; Admiralty M5463; NGA 8728.
Shiro Ishi (Kurushima Shiroishi)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery. Lighthouse painted red. This lighthouse is listed by NGA only as "Kuru Sima." A photo is available (a little over 1/3 the way down the page, number 4607), and Google has a satellite view. Located on a rock off the harbor of Imabari. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-4607; Admiralty M5462; NGA 8724.
Imabari Kō (East Breakwater)
Date unknown (station established 1925). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 18 m (59 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a tall "dunce cap" roof. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard has a page with the photo st right, Aaron Quigley has a photo, another photo is available (about 1/4 the way down the page, #4601), and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater of Imabari harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-785; JCG-4601; Admiralty M5467; NGA 8700.
Imabari Kō Kurashiki Breakwater
1978. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green flash every 4 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. The Coast Guard page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater for Imabari's south harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2376; JCG-4603; Admiralty M5468.5; NGA 8708.
Higi Shima
1975. Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); white flash every 3 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Higi Shima is a small island about 8 km (5 mi) off Imabari harbor. Located at the highest point of the island, near the west end. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2369; JCG-4566; Admiralty M5470; NGA 8692.
Imabari Ko Light
Imabari Kō Light, Imabari
Japanese Coast Guard Imabari Office photo

Eastern Ehime (Hiuchi Bay) Lighthouses

Saijō City Lighthouses
Nyūgawa Kō West Breakwater
1977. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three red flashes every 12 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is red. Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a detached breakwater on the west side of the entrance to Nyūgawa harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2411; JCG-4561; Admiralty M5470.5; NGA 8688.
Nyūgawa Kō East Breakwater
1995. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower, flared at the top. Entire lighthouse is white. Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a detached breakwater on the east side of the entrance to Nyūgawa harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2410; JCG-4560.8; Admiralty M5470.6; NGA 8687.

Niihama City Lighthouses
* Niihama Kō West Breakwater (2)
Date unknown (station established 1937). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower mounted on a square concrete platform. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has an indistinct satellite view. NGA lists a hexagonal skeletal tower at this location. Located at the end of a short breakwater on the west side of the entrance to Niihama harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-414; JCG-4542; Admiralty M5473; NGA 8660.
Niihama Kō East Breakwater (2)
Date unknown (station established 1937). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower mounted on a square concrete platform. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. NGA lists a hexagonal skeletal tower at this location. Located at the end of a short breakwater on the east side of the entrance to Niihama harbor. Site status unknown (industrial area). JCG-4541; Admiralty M5472; NGA 8656.
Habu Saki
1969. Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 11 m (36 ft) round conical concrete tower with double gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, and Bing has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a steep promontory between Niihama's two principal harbors. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-2368; JCG-4555; Admiralty M5475; NGA 8684.
Takihama Kō West Breakwater
1997. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is red. Bing has a satellite view. Located on the west breakwater of Takihama harbor, just east of Habu Saki. Site status unknown (industrial area). JCG-4554.4; Admiralty M5475.2; NGA 8686.5.
Takihama Kō East Breakwater
1990. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous green light with two more intense flashes every 7 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Bing has a satellite view. Located on the east breakwater of Takihama harbor. Site status unknown (industrial area). ARLHS JPN-2423; JCG-4554.3; Admiralty M5475.4; NGA 8686.
Habu Saki Light
Habu Saki Light, Niihama
Japanese Coast Guard Imabari Office photo

Shikokuchūō City Lighthouses
Mishima Kō Outer Breakwater
1990. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on the north end of the detached breakwater of Mishima harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown (industrial area). ARLHS JPN-2396; JCG-4536.6; Admiralty M5484.6; NGA 8647.
Kawanoe Kō Outer Breakwater
1994. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two red flashes every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on the north end of the detached breakwater of Kawanoe harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown (industrial area). ARLHS JPN-2388; JCG-4525.5; Admiralty M5488.5; NGA 8645.

Ochi District Lighthouses
Mitoko Iso
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9.5 m (31 ft); one short and one long red flash every 8 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallry, mounted on a concrete pier. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef off the western tip of Iwagi Shima. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. JCG-4506; Admiralty M5711.4; NGA 8540.
Takaikami (Taki Kami) Shima
1921. Active; focal plane 135 m (443 ft); three flashes every 10 s, the flashes in a 2+1 pattern, a group of three red flashes alternating with a group of three white flashes. 12 m (39 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Kiso has a closeup photo and also a distant view, the Coast Guard page has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an isolated high island in central Hiuchi Bay, about 25 km (15 mi) north of Niihama. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-616; JCG-4402; Admiralty M5482; NGA 8384.
Hyakkan Shima
1894. Active; focal plane 75 m (246 ft); white flash every 10 s. 9 m (30 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Kiso has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Hyakken Shima is at the northern edge of Hiuchi Bay, about 28 km (18 mi) north of Niihama and only 12 km (7.5 mi) south southeast of Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture, Honshū. In fact, although it is located in Ehime Prefecture, this light is maintained by the Onomichi Coast Guard Office. Located on the summit of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-150; JCG-4462; Admiralty M5728; NGA 8460.
Hyakken Shima Light
Hyakkan Shima Light, Ochi District
Japanese Coast Guard Sixth Region photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Okayama and Hiroshima | East: Kagawa | South: Kōchi | West: Western Ehime

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Posted May 28, 2007. Checked and revised January 4, 2013. Lighthouses: 59. Site copyright 2013 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.