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Esan Misaki Lighthouse

Oc White 6s🇯🇵Hakodate, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Esan Misaki Lighthouse

Operational since 1890, Esan Misaki lighthouse is a white, cylindrical concrete tower reaching 19 meters in height. Its light source is positioned 44 meters above sea level, providing visibility for 17.7 nautical miles. The station, first established in 1890 with a cast iron tower, has seen subsequent structures, including a hexagonal wood tower built in 1900. This lighthouse was damaged by U.S. aircraft in 1945. The area became a visitor destination in 1995, and the accompanying museum was re-established as the Hakodate City Lighthouse Museum in 2016. The site is accessible to visitors, though entry into the tower is not permitted.

Why it matters: This lighthouse indicates the eastern approach to the Tsugaru Strait, a primary sea route between Hokkaidō and Honshū, and alerts ships to the hazards of the Kameda Peninsula.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc W 6s
Focal Height
44m
Geographic Range
17.7NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1890

Significant events: Station established 1890, first cast iron tower built, replaced by hexagonal wood tower in 1900, second lighthouse destroyed by U.S. planes in 1945, tourist attraction developed in 1995, Lighthouse Family Museum closed in 2016 and reopened as Hakodate City Lighthouse Museum

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white

Location

City
Hakodate
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hokkaido Prefecture
Sea Region
Marks the eastern entrance to the Tsugaru Strait, which separates Hokkaidō from Honshū. It is located on a sharp promontory at the end of the Kameda Peninsula, about 40 km east of downtown Hakodate.
Latitude
41.8152°
Longitude
141.1834°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Toyoura(6.4 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-061
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Esan Misaki Lighthouse at night?+
Esan Misaki displays the characteristic Oc White 6s. 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 Esan Misaki Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Esan Misaki Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Odoh at 0.8 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Todohokke (0.8 NM WNW), Toyoura (6.4 NM SW), Usujiri (12.8 NM NW), Date (21 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Esan Misaki Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Esan Misaki 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 Esan Misaki Lighthouse?+
Esan Misaki 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 Esan Misaki Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Esan Misaki 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.