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Kitaura Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse

Iso Red 6s🇯🇵Oga, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kitaura Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse

This red concrete post stands 9.5 meters tall, topped by a square, 1-story concrete equipment room. Its focal plane reaches 11 meters above the water, casting a red light with an isophase characteristic every 6 seconds. Located at the end of the original west breakwater in Kitaura, it is situated about 10 kilometers southeast of Nyūdō Saki. The lighthouse has a geographic range of 10.7 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse precisely marks the end of the west breakwater, guiding vessels safely into Kitaura Kō, which is particularly important for local fishing boats and coastal traffic.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso Red 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
Red
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso R 6s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Location

City
Oga
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Akita Prefecture
Sea Region
Located at the end of the original west breakwater at Kitaura, about 10 km southeast of Nyūdō Saki.
Latitude
39.9617°
Longitude
139.7849°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kitaura, Akita(0.2 km)
Admiralty No.
M7057
NGA No.
3612
ARLHS No.
JPN-1036

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: A 9.5m red concrete post rises from a square 1-story concrete equipment room, with its focal plane at 11m.

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kitaura Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Kitaura Kō West Breakwater 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 West Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kitaura Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Funagawa at 5.6 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Akitafunagawa (6.1 NM SSE), Funakawa (6.6 NM SE), Akita (17.5 NM SE), Noshiro (17.7 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kitaura Kō West Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kitaura Kō West Breakwater 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 West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Kitaura Kō West Breakwater 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 West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kitaura Kō West Breakwater 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.