Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Kakara Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 3s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kakara Shima Lighthouse

A square, cylindrical concrete tower, standing 11 meters tall, was first lit in 1978 on the northern tip of Kakara Shima island. This structure, featuring a double gallery, houses a light with a focal height of 71 meters. Its white light emits a single flash every 3 seconds, visible for over 21 nautical miles. The lighthouse sits atop a steep bluff, approximately 4.7 kilometers from the nearest port of Yobuko. While the site itself is open to visitors, the tower is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the northernmost point of Saga Prefecture, offering a key navigational reference for vessels in the surrounding waters and along the coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl W 3s
Focal Height
71m
Geographic Range
21.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1978

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: square cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Kakara Shima, an island about 7 km north of Hadono Misaki, marking the northernmost point of Saga Prefecture. Located atop a steep bluff on the northern tip of Kakara Shima.
Latitude
33.6170°
Longitude
129.8621°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Yobuko(4.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M5265.7
NGA No.
12708
ARLHS No.
JPN-211
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Kakara Shima Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Japan, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kakara Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Kakara Shima displays the characteristic Fl White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kakara Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kakara Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Yobuko at 4.7 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Tobo (8.8 NM SSE), Karatsu (9.6 NM SSE), Ashibe (12.6 NM NNW), Kafuri (15.3 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kakara Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kakara Shima 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 Kakara Shima Lighthouse?+
Kakara Shima 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 Kakara Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kakara Shima 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.