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Kinkasan Lighthouse

Al Red/White 20s🇯🇵Ishinomaki, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kinkasan Lighthouse

Constructed in 1876, the Kinkasan Lighthouse stands on the southeastern tip of Kinkasan Island, located approximately 6.5 kilometers off Kuro Saki and marking the southern end of the Rikuchū/Rikuzen Coast. This cylindrical stone tower, standing 13 meters tall, rises from a semicircular 1-story keeper's house. It was the final lighthouse designed by Scottish engineer Richard Henry Brunton. The light emits alternating red and white flashes every 20 seconds, visible for 19.4 nautical miles. The lighthouse was restored in 2016, though reports from 2024 indicate it requires further renovation and repainting. Visitors can access the site, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: As one of Japan's Famous Fifty lighthouses, Kinkasan holds significant historical and architectural value as a surviving example of early western-style lighthouse construction and the last design by Richard Henry Brunton.

Background
Kinkasan Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Kinkasan, an island off the Oshika Peninsula in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Al Red/White 20s
Flash Type
Alternating
Light Color
Red/White
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Al.Fl RW 20s
Focal Height
55m
Light Range
20NM (37.0 km)
Geographic Range
19.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1876
Heritage Status
Famous Fifty

Significant events: Restored in 2016, noted as needing renovation and repainting in 2024

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical stone tower with a large 1st or 2nd order lantern and gallery, rising from a semicircular 1-story stone keeper's house

Location

City
Ishinomaki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyagi Prefecture
Sea Region
Kinkasan is an island about 6.5 km (4 mi) long lying off Kuro Saki at the extreme southern end of the Rikuchū/Rikuzen Coast. The lighthouse is at the southeastern tip of the island.
Latitude
38.2765°
Longitude
141.5841°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ayukawa(3.8 km)
Admiralty No.
M6546
NGA No.
112-4344
ARLHS No.
JPN-259
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6413910 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Kinkasan Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 55 meters and a nominal range of 20 nautical miles (approximately 37.0 km), Kinkasan is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Kinkasan Lighthouse at night?+
Kinkasan displays the characteristic Al Red/White 20s. 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 red/white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kinkasan Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kinkasan Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ayukawa at 3.8 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Omotehama (6.2 NM WNW), Oginohama (8.7 NM NW), Onagawa (11.5 NM NNW), Akehama (12.2 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kinkasan Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kinkasan 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 Kinkasan Lighthouse?+
Kinkasan 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 Kinkasan Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kinkasan 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.