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

Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse

Fl Red 8s🇯🇵Takamatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse

Established in 1927, this concrete lighthouse stands 12 meters tall on a round cylindrical tower. It is situated on a shoal on the south side of the main shipping channel within Japan's Inland Sea, near Takamatsu. The structure consists of a post light centered on the tower, which is mounted on a concrete pier. Its red light flashes once every 8 seconds, visible for 11.6 nautical miles. The site is open to visitors, but the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the southern edge of a key shipping channel in the Inland Sea, warning vessels of the associated shoal and aiding navigation through this busy waterway.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl R 8s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1927

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: post light centered on a round cylindrical concrete tower, mounted on a concrete pier

Location

City
Takamatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kagawa Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on a shoal on the south side of the main shipping channel in the Inland Sea.
Latitude
34.4216°
Longitude
134.1301°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ohshima, Kagawa(1.5 km)
Admiralty No.
M5546
NGA No.
8132
ARLHS No.
JPN-164
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Kanawa Iwa 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 Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse at night?+
Kanawa Iwa displays the characteristic Fl Red 8s. 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 Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Tonosho at 4.4 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Ieura (5.4 NM NW), Takamatsu (5.6 NM SW), Ikeda, Kagawa (5.7 NM ENE), Naoshima (7.6 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kanawa Iwa 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 Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse?+
Kanawa Iwa 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 Kanawa Iwa Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kanawa Iwa 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.