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Kōbe Breakwater Three Lighthouse

Fl (2) Green 7s🇯🇵Kobe, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kōbe Breakwater Three Lighthouse

The Kōbe Breakwater Three lighthouse, a cylindrical concrete tower standing 19 meters tall, was established and first lit in 1935. It is painted white and features a lantern and gallery. The lighthouse emits a single green flash every 7 seconds from a focal height of 17 meters, with a geographic range of 12.4 nautical miles. Located on a short detached breakwater near the east end of Ohashi island, it likely guided ships into Kōbe's inner harbor. The structure is accessible only by boat and is not open to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse historically marked the entrance to Kōbe's inner harbor. It remains locally relevant for mariners, as evidenced by its continued listing as active by FOAL despite being dropped by the Admiralty.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) Green 7s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
7s
Raw Code
Fl G 7s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1935

Significant events: Dropped by the Admiralty but FOAL continues to list it as active

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Rokko Island(1.4 km)
Admiralty No.
M5868
NGA No.
7452
ARLHS No.
JPN-1507

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Kobe
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hyogo Prefecture
Sea Region
A short detached breakwater near the northeastern corner of Ohashi island, located at the east end of the breakwater. It probably marked the entrance to the inner harbor of Kōbe.
Latitude
34.6815°
Longitude
135.2229°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kōbe Breakwater Three Lighthouse at night?+
Kōbe Breakwater Three displays the characteristic Fl (2) Green 7s — 2 green flashes every 7 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 Kōbe Breakwater Three Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kōbe Breakwater Three Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kobe at 2.8 NM to the W. Other ports served include Amagasaki (8 NM E), Nishinomiya (8 NM E), AmagasakiNishinomiyaAshiya (9.8 NM ENE), Osaka, Tottori (10.6 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kōbe Breakwater Three Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kōbe Breakwater Three 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 Breakwater Three Lighthouse?+
Kōbe Breakwater Three 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 Breakwater Three Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kōbe Breakwater Three 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.