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

Hanare Se Lighthouse

Fl (9) White 15s🇯🇵Saikai, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hanare Se Lighthouse

Hanare Se is a 10-meter tall cylindrical metal tower located on a shoal in the southern part of Sasebo harbor, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Painted yellow with a black horizontal band, it features two galleries. Its white light flashes once every 15 seconds, visible for 10.4 nautical miles. This structure serves as a navigational aid marking a submerged hazard near the port of Tainoura. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed. It is anchored to the seabed.

Why it matters: Hanare Se holds historical significance as the first floating lighthouse installed in Japan, demonstrating an innovative approach to marking maritime hazards.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (9) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
9 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Construction & History

Significant events: First floating lighthouse installed in Japan

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
yellow with a black horizontal band
Material
metal

Structure: round cylindrical tower with two galleries, painted yellow with a black horizontal band

Location

City
Saikai
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Nagasaki Prefecture
Sea Region
Sasebo harbor, Japan, marking a shoal in the southern part of the harbor
Latitude
33.0926°
Longitude
129.7176°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Tainoura(1.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M5236.5
NGA No.
11924
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Hanare Se 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 Hanare Se Lighthouse at night?+
Hanare Se displays the characteristic Fl (9) White 15s — 9 white flashes every 15 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Hanare Se Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hanare Se Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Omodaka at 2.6 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Sasebo (3.8 NM N), Haiki (4.4 NM N), Saza (4.4 NM N), Segawa (4.4 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hanare Se Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hanare Se 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 Hanare Se Lighthouse?+
Hanare Se 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 Hanare Se Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hanare Se 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.