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Kawachi Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇯🇵Kumamoto, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kawachi Lighthouse

Also known as: Kawachi (Kawati)

Completed in 1935, the Kawachi Lighthouse is a 10-meter square concrete tower situated on a bluff south of Kawachi harbor's entrance. It is located about 10 km west-northwest of Kumamoto, in the Kumamoto Prefecture of Japan. The structure features a gallery and flares at the top. With a focal height of 46 meters, its light is visible for 18.1 nautical miles. The lighthouse emits a white flash every four seconds, serving as a navigational aid. The site is open to visitors, though the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The Kawachi Lighthouse is important for guiding vessels into and out of Kawachi harbor, facilitating local commerce and fishing operations.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
46m
Geographic Range
18.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1935

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: square concrete tower with gallery, flared at the top

Location

City
Kumamoto
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kumamoto Prefecture
Sea Region
on a bluff south of the entrance to Kawachi harbor, about 10 km (6 mi) west northwest of Kumamoto
Latitude
32.8296°
Longitude
130.5798°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kumamoto(4.6 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-250
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kawachi Lighthouse at night?+
Kawachi displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. 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 Kawachi Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kawachi Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Eishi at 2.1 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Hyakkan (2.4 NM SSE), Kumamoto (4.1 NM SSE), Sumiyoshi (7.3 NM S), Nagasu, Kumamoto (9 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kawachi Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kawachi 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 Kawachi Lighthouse?+
Kawachi 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 Kawachi Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kawachi 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.