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Kōchi Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇯🇵Kōchi, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kōchi Lighthouse

Also known as: Kōchi (Ryuzu Saki)

A cylindrical white concrete tower with a lantern and gallery, standing 15.5 meters tall, was built in 1971. It is attached to a one-story service building. The light emits a single white flash every five seconds from a focal height of 50 meters, with a geographic range of 18.7 nautical miles. This lighthouse is situated on Ryuzu Saki, a hilly promontory marking the southwest side of the entrance to Kōchi's harbor. The port of Kōchi is the principal port on the south side of Shikoku island, utilizing a large estuary for its harbor.

Why it matters: The Kōchi Lighthouse marks the entrance to the city's large estuary harbor, a critical point for vessels approaching the primary port of Shikoku's southern coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
50m
Geographic Range
18.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1971
First Lit
1883

Significant events: Station established 1883, Current lighthouse built 1971

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kochi(0.9 km)
Admiralty No.
M5594
NGA No.
10152
ARLHS No.
JPN-2493

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story service building

Location

City
Kōchi
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kochi Prefecture
Sea Region
Kōchi is the principal port on the south side of Shikoku, with a large estuary forming its harbor. This lighthouse is located on Ryuzu Saki, a hilly promontory on the southwest side of the harbor entrance.
Latitude
33.4962°
Longitude
133.5730°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kōchi Lighthouse at night?+
Kōchi 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 Kōchi Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kōchi Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kochi at 2.6 NM to the N. Other ports served include Usa/Tosa (7.1 NM WSW), Susaki (15.3 NM WSW), Kaminokae (20.9 NM SW), Nahari (22.7 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kōchi Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kōchi 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 Kōchi Lighthouse?+
Kōchi 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 Kōchi Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kōchi 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.