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Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl Red 3s🇯🇵Ofunato, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse

A 10-meter red post on a square equipment cabinet stands on a detached breakwater at the north entrance to Ōfunato Wan. This structure, with a focal height of 12 meters, emits a red flash every three seconds and has a geographic range of 11 nautical miles. The original light was destroyed by a tsunami in 2011. It was rebuilt in 2017, returning to operation that same year. The light is situated about 8 kilometers south of the city of Ōfunato.

Why it matters: Rebuilt after the 2011 tsunami, the light marks the north side of the entrance to Ōfunato Wan, guiding vessels into the bay.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl R 3s
Focal Height
12m
Geographic Range
11NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2017

Significant events: Destroyed by tsunami in 2011, rebuilt in 2017

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ohfunato(2.1 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-1115

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
post on square equipment cabinet
Tower Color
red

Structure: A 10m red post centered on a square equipment cabinet, with a focal plane of 12m.

Location

City
Ofunato
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
on a short detached breakwater on the north side of the entrance to Ōfunato Wan about 8 km south of Ōfunato.
Latitude
39.0217°
Longitude
141.7335°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Ōfunato Wan North 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 Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Nojiri at 1.7 NM to the N. Other ports served include Hirota, Iwate (4.4 NM SW), Sakihama (7.6 NM NE), Kesennuma (10 NM SW), En (11.2 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ōfunato Wan North 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 Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Ōfunato Wan North 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 Ōfunato Wan North Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ōfunato Wan North 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.