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Hirota Kō Lighthouse

F Red 4s🇯🇵Rikuzen-Takata, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hirota Kō Lighthouse

This red, cylindrical concrete lighthouse stands 9.5 meters tall and is located on the east side of Hirota Bay, marking the end of the main breakwater for Hirota harbor. A square, one-story equipment room forms the base of the structure. The light emits a single red flash every four seconds. With a focal height of 12 meters, it has a geographic range of 11 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated in Rikuzen-Takata, within the Iwate Prefecture.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for the safe passage of vessels entering and exiting Hirota harbor, particularly those navigating the main breakwater. Its distinctive red light with an intermittent flash provides a critical visual cue, preventing groundings and collisions in the busy bay.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F Red 4s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
F.Fl R 4s
Focal Height
12m
Geographic Range
11NM

Location

City
Rikuzen-Takata
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
Hirota harbor, on the east side of Hirota Bay, marking the end of the main breakwater.
Latitude
38.9533°
Longitude
141.6877°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: A 9.5m concrete cylindrical post rising from a square 1-story equipment room. The entire lighthouse is painted red.

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sakihama(5.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M6579
NGA No.
4220
ARLHS No.
JPN-1100
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Hirota Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Hirota Kō displays the characteristic F Red 4s. 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 Hirota Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hirota Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hirota, Iwate at 2.2 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Kesennuma (5.6 NM SW), Nojiri (6.2 NM NNE), En (6.6 NM SW), Nakayama (6.6 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hirota Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hirota 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 Hirota Kō Lighthouse?+
Hirota 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 Hirota Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hirota 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.