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Kannoura Lighthouse

Iso White 6s🇯🇵Toyo, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kannoura Lighthouse

The Kannoura Lighthouse, an octagonal brick tower standing 8 meters tall, was built in 1884. It is painted white and features a lantern and gallery. Located on a promontory near the entrance to Kannoura harbor, its focal height reaches 42 meters above sea level. The lighthouse emitted an isophase white light on a 6-second cycle, with a geographic range of 17.4 nautical miles. Although operational since 1884, it was deactivated in September 2018 and has since been repainted. The site is open to the public, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is significant as one of Shikoku's earliest lighthouses, guiding vessels to Kannoura harbor for over a century and representing an important period in Japanese lighthouse construction.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso White 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso W 6s
Focal Height
42m
Geographic Range
17.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1884

Significant events: Inactive since 2018, deactivated in September 2018, appeared to be endangered, deteriorating condition, repainted

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white
Material
brick

Structure: octagonal brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white

Location

City
Toyo
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kochi Prefecture
Sea Region
on a promontory just off the entrance to the harbor of Kannoura
Latitude
33.5429°
Longitude
134.3010°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kannoura(0.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M5584
NGA No.
10056
ARLHS No.
JPN-228
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kannoura Lighthouse at night?+
Kannoura displays the characteristic Iso White 6s. 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 Kannoura Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kannoura Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kannoura at 0.1 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Asakawa (6.3 NM NE), Nahari (15.9 NM WSW), Hiwasa (16.7 NM NE), Murotsu, Kochi (17.4 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kannoura Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kannoura 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 Kannoura Lighthouse?+
Kannoura 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 Kannoura Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kannoura 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.