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Kitaura Kō Lighthouse

Iso Red 6s🇯🇵Nobeoka, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kitaura Kō Lighthouse

A 7.5-meter red concrete post, attached to a square, one-story equipment room, forms the Kitaura Kō lighthouse. Operational since 1963, it stands at the end of the main south breakwater marking the entrance to Kitaura harbor. The lighthouse emits an isophase red light, completing a cycle every 6 seconds, with a geographic range of 10.2 nautical miles. Its structure is a concrete post and equipment room, entirely painted red. The lighthouse site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for guiding vessels into and out of Kitaura harbor, providing a clear visual cue past the breakwater.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso Red 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
Red
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso R 6s
Focal Height
9.5m
Geographic Range
10.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1963

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: A 7.5m concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. The entire lighthouse is painted red.

Location

City
Nobeoka
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyazaki Prefecture
Sea Region
Kitaura harbor, at the end of the south (main) breakwater
Latitude
32.6940°
Longitude
131.8357°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kamae(7.6 km)
Admiralty No.
M4905.4
NGA No.
10640
ARLHS No.
JPN-2135
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kitaura Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Kitaura Kō displays the characteristic Iso Red 6s. 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 color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kitaura Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kitaura Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Shimanoura at 2 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Kumanoe (2.9 NM WSW), Kamae (7.7 NM NE), Nobeoka (8.8 NM SW), Nobeokashinko (13 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kitaura Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kitaura Kō 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 Kitaura Kō Lighthouse?+
Kitaura Kō 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 Kitaura Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kitaura Kō 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.