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

Kara Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇯🇵Kesennuma, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kara Shima Lighthouse

Constructed in 1966, Kara Shima Lighthouse is a cylindrical concrete tower with a gallery, measuring 10 meters in height. Its hourglass shape provides a distinctive architectural profile. The light emits a white flash every 5 seconds from a focal height of 34 meters, offering a geographic range of 16 nautical miles. This lighthouse is situated on a small island in the eastern arm of Kesennuma Wan, approximately 4 kilometers northwest of Rikuzen O Saki. Its nearest port, Sakihama, is located 1.2 kilometers away.

Why it matters: Kara Shima Lighthouse is important for safe navigation within the eastern arm of Kesennuma Wan, guiding vessels through the bay's waters.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
34m
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1966

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sakihama(1.2 km)
Admiralty No.
M6568
NGA No.
4240
USCG No.
1700
ARLHS No.
JPN-1151

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with gallery

Location

City
Kesennuma
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyagi Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on a small island in the eastern arm of Kesennuma Wan, about 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of Rikuzen O Saki.
Latitude
38.8620°
Longitude
141.6406°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Kara 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 Kara Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Kara Shima displays the characteristic Fl White 5s. 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 Kara Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kara Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is En at 1.9 NM to the W. Other ports served include Nakayama (1.9 NM W), Obatake (1.9 NM W), Saba (1.9 NM W), Kesennuma (3.2 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kara Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kara 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 Kara Shima Lighthouse?+
Kara 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 Kara Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kara 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.