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Inubō Saki Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇯🇵Choshi, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Inubō Saki Lighthouse

Completed in 1874, the cylindrical brick lighthouse at Inubō Saki stands 32 meters tall. It is situated on a promontory extending approximately 25 kilometers into the Pacific Ocean, about 5 kilometers southeast of Chōshi. The lighthouse emits a white flash every 15 seconds, visible for 19 nautical miles. The structure features a lantern and gallery, attached to a one-story keeper's house. It sustained damage during World War II but was subsequently repaired, with its original lens restored. The site is open to the public and includes a museum. The Inubosaki Brunton Association was formed in 1999 to support the lighthouse.

Why it matters: The lighthouse warns vessels away from the hazardous landmass that projects into the Pacific Ocean off the Chōshi peninsula. It is notable as Japan's tallest brick lighthouse.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
52m
Geographic Range
19NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1874

Significant events: First lightkeeper was British until 1878, Damaged during World War II, Tower repaired and original lens restored after WWII, Inubosaki Brunton Association formed in 1999

Visiting

Open to public
Yes

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
32m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
brick

Structure: round brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house

Location

City
Choshi
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Chiba Prefecture
Sea Region
A promontory at the end of a peninsula projecting about 25 km into the Pacific, creating an important hazard to navigation, located about 5 km southeast of Chōshi.
Latitude
35.7079°
Longitude
140.8686°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Choshi(2.5 km)
Admiralty No.
M6478
ARLHS No.
JPN-171
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Inubō Saki Lighthouse at night?+
Inubō Saki displays the characteristic Fl 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 Inubō Saki Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Inubō Saki Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Naarai at 1.8 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Takada (1.8 NM NNW), Choshi (2.5 NM NNW), Kashima, Ibaraki (15.1 NM NW), Futtsu, Chiba (24.8 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Inubō Saki Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Inubō 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 Inubō Saki Lighthouse?+
Inubō 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 Inubō Saki Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Inubō 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.