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Chiringa Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇯🇵Ibusuki, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Chiringa Shima Lighthouse

Also known as: Chiringa Shima (Chirin Jima)

Chiringa Shima Lighthouse stands on a small, round island in Kagoshima Bay, on its northeastern side. The lighthouse consists of a white concrete post with a gallery, rising from a one-story semicircular concrete equipment building. Completed in 1957, this structure has a focal height of 101 meters and emits a white flash every 4 seconds, visible for 25 nautical miles. The island is accessible in calm summer weather via an 800-meter sandbar, connecting it to the mainland. While the tower is closed to visitors, the site remains open, offering views of the bay.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels through Kagoshima Bay and marks the presence of Chiringa Shima island. Its accessibility via a temporary sandbar during summer contributes to its status as a unique natural and cultural attraction.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
101m
Geographic Range
25NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1957

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Color
white concrete
Material
concrete

Structure: concrete post with gallery, rising from a semicircular 1-story concrete equipment building

Location

City
Ibusuki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kagoshima Prefecture
Sea Region
Chiringa Shima, a round island in Kagoshima Bay, located on its northeastern side. It is accessible by an 800m sandbar in fine summer weather.
Latitude
31.2775°
Longitude
130.6807°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ibusuki(2.5 km)
Admiralty No.
M4821
NGA No.
11032
ARLHS No.
JPN-2035
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Chiringa Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Chiringa Shima displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Chiringa Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Chiringa Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Uomi at 1.1 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Ibusuki (2.6 NM SW), Miyagahama (3.1 NM W), Yamagawa (4.8 NM SSW), Nejime (5.5 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Chiringa Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Chiringa Shima 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 Chiringa Shima Lighthouse?+
Chiringa Shima 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 Chiringa Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Chiringa Shima 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.