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Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse

Fl (2) Green 6s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse

Located in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, the Karatsu Breakwater West Head light is a concrete post connected to a square, 1-story concrete equipment building. The structure is 10 meters high, with its light positioned 11 meters above sea level. It is painted white and shows a green light with a characteristic of one green flash every 6 seconds. The light has a geographic range of 10.7 nautical miles. It sits at the northwest end of the primary breakwater for Karatsu, near Tobo port. Access to the site is permitted, though the tower remains inaccessible.

Why it matters: This navigation aid marks the western boundary of the main breakwater, assisting ships navigating into and out of the Karatsu port.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) Green 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl G 6s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Located at the northwest end of the detached main breakwater of Karatsu.
Latitude
33.4881°
Longitude
129.9570°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Tobo(0.4 km)
Admiralty No.
M5269.24
NGA No.
12248
USCG No.
JCG-5870

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building

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 Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse at night?+
Karatsu Breakwater West Head displays the characteristic Fl (2) Green 6s — 2 green flashes every 6 seconds. 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 Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Karatsu at 0.6 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Tobo (1.2 NM WSW), Yobuko (4.6 NM NW), Kafuri (10.8 NM ENE), Fukushima, Nagasaki (11.4 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Karatsu Breakwater West Head 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 Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse?+
Karatsu Breakwater West Head 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 Karatsu Breakwater West Head Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Karatsu Breakwater West Head 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.