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Kawatsu Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇯🇵Katsuura, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kawatsu Lighthouse

Also known as: Kawatsu (Kawazu) Kō (Tōbu Kō)

The Kawatsu Lighthouse is a cylindrical concrete tower, 9 meters tall, built in 1963. Its focal height reaches 10 meters above sea level, and it emits a white flash every 5 seconds. The lighthouse stands near Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, with its nearest port located just 0.8 kilometers away. This structure is approximately 10.4 nautical miles from shore.

Why it matters: This lighthouse provides guidance for coastal traffic in its region of Japan, supporting the safety of vessels navigating these waters.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1963

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Katsuura, Chiba(0.8 km)
Admiralty No.
M6470.3
ARLHS No.
JPN-1320

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Material
concrete

Structure: round hourglass-shaped concrete tower

Location

City
Katsuura
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Chiba Prefecture
Latitude
35.1457°
Longitude
140.3258°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kawatsu Lighthouse at night?+
Kawatsu 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 Kawatsu Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kawatsu Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Wakura at 0.2 NM to the N. Other ports served include Okitsu, Chiba (3.8 NM WSW), Abuto (11.8 NM WSW), Wada (16.7 NM WSW), Kazusaminato (23 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kawatsu Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kawatsu 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 Kawatsu Lighthouse?+
Kawatsu 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 Kawatsu Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kawatsu 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.