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Kōbe Lighthouse

Fl White 8s🇯🇵Kobe, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kōbe Lighthouse

This cylindrical concrete tower, painted white, was built and first lit in 1884. Standing 29 meters tall with a focal height of 26 meters, it emits a white flash every 8 seconds. The lighthouse is situated in an industrial area west of Wadamisaki, close to Kobe city. It is positioned 1.9 kilometers from the nearest port, Rokko Island. The structure features a lantern and gallery.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides commercial vessels entering and departing the port of Kobe, a major international shipping hub. Its consistent light aids in pinpointing positions and avoiding hazards in the busy waters near Wadamisaki.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl W 8s
Focal Height
26m
Geographic Range
14.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1884

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Rokko Island(1.9 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-268

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
29m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white

Location

City
Kobe
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hyogo Prefecture
Sea Region
industrial area a short distance west of Wadamisaki
Latitude
34.6482°
Longitude
135.1680°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kōbe Lighthouse at night?+
Kōbe displays the characteristic Fl White 8s. 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 Kōbe Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kōbe Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kobe at 2.1 NM to the N. Other ports served include Iwaya (8.2 NM WSW), Akashi (8.8 NM W), Amagasaki (11.1 NM ENE), Nishinomiya (11.1 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kōbe Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kōbe 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 Kōbe Lighthouse?+
Kōbe 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 Kōbe Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kōbe 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.