Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl (2) Red 6s🇯🇵Matsumae, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse

This cylindrical concrete tower, standing 11 meters tall, is painted white with a single red horizontal band. It is situated at the end of Era harbor's detached outer breakwater in Matsumae, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The lighthouse emits a red flashing light, characterized by one flash every six seconds. Its focal height reaches 17 meters above sea level, providing a geographic range of 12.4 nautical miles. The site is open to visitors, but the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for guiding vessels entering and exiting Era harbor, specifically marking the end of the detached outer breakwater to prevent groundings and collisions.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) Red 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl R 6s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Location

City
Matsumae
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hokkaido Prefecture
Sea Region
Era harbor, at the end of its detached outer breakwater.
Latitude
41.5454°
Longitude
139.9862°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Shizuura(3.4 km)
Admiralty No.
M7034.2.
NGA No.
1012
ARLHS No.
JPN-2630

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with one red horizontal band
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Japan, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Era Kō Outer Breakwater displays the characteristic Fl (2) Red 6s — 2 red flashes every 6 seconds. 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 Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Shizuura at 3.5 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Matsumae (8.9 NM SSE), Fukushima (hokkaido) (12.9 NM ESE), Fukushima, Hokkaido (13 NM ESE), Esashi/Hiyama (20.3 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Era Kō Outer Breakwater 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 Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Era Kō Outer Breakwater 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 Era Kō Outer Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Era Kō Outer Breakwater 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.