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Banshone Lighthouse

Fl Green 3s🇯🇵Kesennuma, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Banshone Lighthouse

Also known as: Banshone (Bansho Ne)

Banshone Lighthouse is a concrete post structure attached to a small equipment building, standing 8.5 meters tall with its light at 9.5 meters. Located off the north end of Iō Shima, an island that divides Kesennuma Wan into two arms, it marks a reef in this area. The lighthouse emits a green light with a single flash every three seconds. It has experienced damage from a tsunami. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is indispensable for the safe passage of vessels navigating the two arms of Kesennuma Wan, warning them away from the dangerous reef it occupies. Its operational status, even after tsunami damage, underscores the ongoing necessity of its guidance for local maritime traffic.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl G 3s
Focal Height
9.5m
Geographic Range
10.2NM

Construction & History

Significant events: tsunami damage

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
green
Material
concrete

Structure: concrete post attached to a small equipment building

Location

City
Kesennuma
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyagi Prefecture
Sea Region
A reef off the north end of Iō Shima, an island separating the two arms of Kesennuma Wan.
Latitude
38.8846°
Longitude
141.6196°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kesennuma(2.0 km)
Admiralty No.
M6567
NGA No.
4248
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Banshone Lighthouse at night?+
Banshone displays the characteristic Fl Green 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Banshone Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Banshone Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is En at 1.4 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Nakayama (1.4 NM SW), Obatake (1.4 NM SW), Saba (1.4 NM SW), Kesennuma (1.6 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Banshone Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Banshone 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 Banshone Lighthouse?+
Banshone 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 Banshone Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Banshone 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.