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He Saki Lighthouse

F White 15s🇯🇵Kitakyushu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About He Saki Lighthouse

He Saki Lighthouse, a cylindrical granite tower standing 10 meters tall, was first lit on January 22, 1872. Situated on a promontory northeast of Kitakyūshū, it overlooks the eastern entrance to the Kanmon Strait. The lighthouse, attached to a keeper's cottage, was upgraded with a rotating Fresnel lens in 1895. Its focal height reaches 39 meters, casting a white light with a single flash every 15 seconds. The structure is recognized as one of Japan's Famous Fifty lighthouses. While the tower is closed to the public, the site is accessible.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels entering the Kanmon Strait from the Inland Sea and warns them of the promontory. As Kyūshū's oldest lighthouse, it holds historical significance in Japanese maritime history.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F White 15s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
F.Fl W 15s
Focal Height
39m
Geographic Range
16.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1872
Heritage Status
one of Japan's Famous Fifty lighthouses

Significant events: First lit on 22 January 1872, upgraded with a rotating Fresnel lens in 1895

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
granite

Structure: round cylindrical granite tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story semicircular granite keeper's cottage

Location

City
Kitakyushu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Fukuoka Prefecture
Sea Region
eastern entrance to the Kanmon Strait from the Inland Sea, on a promontory overlooking the Inland Sea about 16 km northeast of Kitakyūshū
Latitude
33.9594°
Longitude
131.0229°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Moji(0.8 km)
Admiralty No.
M5312
ARLHS No.
JPN-098
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify He Saki Lighthouse at night?+
He Saki displays the characteristic F White 15s. 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 He Saki Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
He Saki Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Moji/Kitakyushu at 0.7 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Tanoura/Kitakyushu (2.9 NM WSW), Shimonoseki (4.7 NM WSW), Shinmoji (5.3 NM SSW), Asa (6.2 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is He Saki Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, He Saki 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 He Saki Lighthouse?+
He Saki 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 He Saki Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near He Saki 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.