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Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse

Fl Green 3s🇯🇵Nakatosa, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse

The Kaminokae Kō lighthouse is a white, cylindrical concrete tower standing 8 meters tall, situated on the south breakwater of Kaminokae harbor. Its focal height reaches 9.5 meters above sea level. The structure comprises a round concrete tower adjoining a separate, square, one-story concrete equipment shelter, a distinctive design compared to many pierhead lights. This active light emits a green flash every 3 seconds and has a geographic range of 10.2 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for the safe passage of vessels entering and exiting Kaminokae harbor, particularly for local fishing fleets and commercial traffic. Its unique architectural feature, where the cylindrical tower is not physically attached to its equipment shelter, sets it apart from typical Japanese pierhead lights.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl G 3s
Focal Height
9.5m
Geographic Range
10.2NM

Location

City
Nakatosa
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kochi Prefecture
Sea Region
Kaminokae harbor, on its south breakwater.
Latitude
33.2795°
Longitude
133.2480°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kaminokae(0.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M5597
NGA No.
10212
ARLHS No.
JPN-2491

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower adjoining a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Kaminokae Kō displays the characteristic Fl Green 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kaminokae at 0.1 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Susaki (7.2 NM NNE), Saga (14.1 NM SSW), Usa/Tosa (14.1 NM NE), Kochi (22.3 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kaminokae 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 Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse?+
Kaminokae 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 Kaminokae Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kaminokae 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.