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Ayukawa Lighthouse

Fl Red 3s🇯🇵Ishinomaki, JPOperational

Also known as: #Ayukawa (Aikawa) Kō

Ayukawa Lighthouse is a cylindrical white tower situated in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It emits a red flash every three seconds from a focal height of 6 meters, with a geographic range of 8.9 nautical miles. The site surrounding the lighthouse is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed to visitors. Its nearest port, Ayukawa, is located just 0.1 kilometers away. The lighthouse is listed under NGA number 4356 and Admiralty number M6542.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's red flash warns mariners of coastal features and hazards, ensuring the safety of local fishing boats and other vessels in the area.

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl R 3s
Focal Height
6m
Geographic Range
8.9NM
City
Ishinomaki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyagi Prefecture
Sea Region
Japan
Latitude
38.2949°
Longitude
141.5097°
Nearest Port
Ayukawa(0.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M6542
NGA No.
4356
ARLHS No.
JPN-1144
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white

Structure: Ayukawa Lighthouse, located in Japan, provides a crucial navigational aid with its distinctive red flash, repeating every three seconds. While the specific details of its construction and early operational history are not readily available, its presence along the Japanese coastline speaks to the enduring need for maritime safety in these waters. Lighthouses like Ayukawa are essential for guiding local fishing fleets, commercial vessels, and other maritime traffic through potentially challenging coastal areas, ensuring safe passage and preventing groundings. The surrounding landscape likely features the rugged beauty characteristic of Japan's shores, where the land meets the sea in dramatic fashion. Today, the site around Ayukawa Lighthouse is open to the public, allowing visitors to approach and appreciate its role in the maritime landscape. Although the tower itself is not accessible for climbing, the opportunity to observe the lighthouse in its setting offers a quiet moment to reflect on its continuous vigil and the vital service it provides to those who navigate these seas.

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Ayukawa Lighthouse at night?+
Ayukawa displays the characteristic Fl Red 3s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Ayukawa Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ayukawa Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ayukawa at 0.1 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Omotehama (2.6 NM NW), Oginohama (5.6 NM NNW), Onagawa (9.1 NM NNW), Watanoha (9.5 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ayukawa Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ayukawa Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Ayukawa Lighthouse?+
Ayukawa Lighthouse is located within the Japan / Korea shipping lane — a busy shipping corridor linking the major ports of Japan and South Korea. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Ayukawa Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ayukawa Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.