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Era Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl Red 3s🇯🇵Matsumae, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Era Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse

This red, cylindrical concrete lighthouse stands 11 meters tall at the end of Era harbor's west breakwater. It features a lantern and gallery atop its round structure. The light emits a single red flash every three seconds, visible for over 10 nautical miles. Its location is approximately 12 kilometers north of Shizuura, within Matsumae, Hokkaido Prefecture. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's red flash warns vessels of the west breakwater, aiding safe entry and exit into Era harbor, particularly for local fishing fleets.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl R 3s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Location

City
Matsumae
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hokkaido Prefecture
Sea Region
Located at the end of the west (original main) breakwater of Era harbor, about 12 km north of Shizuura.
Latitude
41.5454°
Longitude
139.9921°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Shizuura(3.3 km)
Admiralty No.
M7034
NGA No.
1004
ARLHS No.
JPN-850

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Era Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Era Kō West Breakwater 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 Era Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Era Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Shizuura at 3.4 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Matsumae (8.8 NM SSE), Fukushima, Hokkaido (12.7 NM ESE), Fukushima (hokkaido) (12.7 NM ESE), Esashi/Hiyama (20.2 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Era Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Era Kō West 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 West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Era Kō West 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 West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Era Kō West 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.