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Himekawa Kō Lighthouse

Fl Red 3s🇯🇵Itoigawa, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Himekawa Kō Lighthouse

Also known as: Himekawa Kō (?)

This cylindrical concrete tower, 13 meters in height, stands at the eastern end of a detached breakwater guarding the principal harbor of Itoigawa. Its focal plane is 17 meters above sea level. The structure features a flared top and is painted entirely red. A red light flashes once every three seconds, visible for 12.4 nautical miles. While the exact construction date is not specified, a height change was noted in March 2019, suggesting a potential replacement of the light structure. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides vessels into Itoigawa, the region's primary harbor, and provides a clear warning for navigation along the detached breakwater.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl R 3s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Significant events: height change in March 2019, possibly replaced

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with a flared top

Location

City
Itoigawa
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Niigata Prefecture
Sea Region
east end of the detached breakwater off Himekawa, the principal harbor of Itiogawa
Latitude
37.0523°
Longitude
137.8497°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Himekawa(0.3 km)
Admiralty No.
M7136.6
NGA No.
3164
ARLHS No.
JPN-423
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Himekawa Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Himekawa Kō 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 Himekawa Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Himekawa Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is ITOIGAWA at 0.7 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Awa (1.1 NM S), Himekawa (1.1 NM S), Omi (3.2 NM SW), Joetsu (19.3 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Himekawa Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Himekawa Kō 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 Himekawa Kō Lighthouse?+
Himekawa Kō 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 Himekawa Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Himekawa Kō 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.