Shira Su Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Shira Su Lighthouse
Also known as: Shira Su (Sira Su, Sirasu, Hakushū)
Shira Su Lighthouse stands on a small islet approximately 5 km northwest of the mainland, marking the western entrance to a strait. Construction of the current two-stage cylindrical stone and cast iron tower began in 1873 and was completed in 1900. The tower displays black and white horizontal bands and has a focal height of 16 meters. Its light emits a white flash every 4 seconds, visible for 12.2 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower is closed.
Why it matters: Recognized as one of Japan's Famous Fifty lighthouses, Shira Su is essential for safe passage through the strait, a route that historically saw many wrecks due to a nearby reef.
Light & Optic
- Flash Type
- Flashing
- Light Color
- White
- Interval
- 4s
- Raw Code
- Fl W 4s
- Focal Height
- 16m
- Geographic Range
- 12.2NM
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 1900
- First Lit
- 1873
- Heritage Status
- one of Japan's Famous Fifty lighthouses
Significant events: numerous wrecks on the reef, local headman Iwamatsu Sukezaemon ordered construction in 1862, new government took over project in 1871, 1873 lighthouse built by Richard Henry Brunton, two-stage tower replaced 1873 structure in 1900
Visiting
- Open to public
- Site open, tower closed
Nearby Vessels
Tower & Structure
- Tower Height
- 17m
- Tower Shape
- cylindrical
- Tower Color
- with black and white horizontal bands
- Material
- stone, cast iron
Structure: round 2-stage stone tower with lantern and gallery; the lower half of the tower is stone and the upper half is cast iron
Location
- City
- Kitakyushu
- Country
- 🇯🇵Japan
- Region
- Fukuoka Prefecture
- Sea Region
- on an islet about 5 km northwest of the mainland, marking the western entrance to the strait
- Latitude
- 33.9836°
- Longitude
- 130.7918°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Kitakyushu(1.8 km)
- ARLHS No.
- JPN-795
اعثر على منارة Shira Su على الخريطة البحرية المباشرة
خطّط رحلاتك قرب Japan، وشاهد السفن المجاورة في الوقت الفعلي، واستكشف أكثر من 14,900 معلَم ملاحي في التطبيق.