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Hososhima Lighthouse

Al Red/White 5s🇯🇵Hyuga, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Hososhima Lighthouse

Also known as: Hososhima (Hososima, Hosojima)

The Hososhima Lighthouse, a cylindrical concrete tower painted white, stands 11 meters tall. It was built and first lit in 1941, with its lantern and gallery situated at a focal height of 101 meters. The light emits alternating red and white flashes every 5 seconds, providing a geographic range of 25 nautical miles. Positioned on a promontory south of Hososhima harbor, it offers views of the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse is accessible by road and a short hike, though the tower itself is closed to visitors.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for vessels entering and departing Hososhima harbor, aiding local fishing fleets and commercial traffic in navigating coastal waters east of Hyūga.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Al Red/White 5s
Flash Type
Alternating
Light Color
Red/White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Al RW 5s
Focal Height
101m
Light Range
19NM (35.2 km)
Geographic Range
25NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1941

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower wth lantern and gallery

Location

City
Hyuga
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyazaki Prefecture
Sea Region
Located at the tip of a promontory on the south side of Hososhima harbor, about 5 km east of Hyūga, offering a spectacular view of the open Pacific Ocean.
Latitude
32.4233°
Longitude
131.6855°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hososhima(2.0 km)
Admiralty No.
M4896
ARLHS No.
JPN-140
Wikidata
Q55524592 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Hososhima Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 101 meters and a nominal range of 19 nautical miles (approximately 35.2 km), Hososhima is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Hososhima Lighthouse at night?+
Hososhima displays the characteristic Al Red/White 5s. 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/white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Hososhima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Hososhima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hirai at 1.1 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Hiraiwa (1.1 NM WNW), Totoro (1.1 NM WNW), Hososhima (1.5 NM WNW), Nobeokashinko (5.4 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Hososhima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Hososhima 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 Hososhima Lighthouse?+
Hososhima 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 Hososhima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Hososhima 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.