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Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse

Iso Red 6s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse

A concrete post attached to a square, one-story concrete equipment building marks the southeast end of the detached west breakwater in Karatsu's eastern harbor. This 9.5-meter tall structure, colored red, stands 11 meters above sea level and emits an isophase red light every 6 seconds. With a geographic range of 10.7 nautical miles, the light serves as a reference for vessels navigating the waters southeast of Karatsu Ōshima. The site is accessible, but the tower is closed to the public. Its nearest port, Karatsu, is 0.3 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This light is essential for guiding vessels entering and exiting Karatsu's eastern harbor, marking the detached west breakwater to ensure safe passage.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso Red 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
Red
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso R 6s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Karatsu's eastern harbor, marking the southeast end of the detached west breakwater, southeast of Karatsu Ōshima.
Latitude
33.4702°
Longitude
129.9732°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Karatsu(0.3 km)
Admiralty No.
M5269.7
NGA No.
12264

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
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 East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater displays the characteristic Iso Red 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Karatsu at 0.9 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Tobo (2.1 NM WNW), Yobuko (5.9 NM NW), Kafuri (10.5 NM ENE), Fukushima, Nagasaki (11.3 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater 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 East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater 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 East Harbor West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Karatsu East Harbor West Breakwater 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.