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Kogame Iwa Lighthouse

Fl Red 8s🇯🇵Amakusa, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kogame Iwa Lighthouse

This cylindrical concrete lighthouse, built in 1949, stands 13 meters tall on a concrete pier. It is located on a shoal off the north coast of Shimo Shima, near Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture. The tower displays a single red flash every 8 seconds from a focal height of 15 meters. It has a geographic range of 11.9 nautical miles. The site is open, but the tower itself is closed to the public. The nearest port, Futae, is 1.3 kilometers away.

Why it matters: The Kogame Iwa lighthouse warns mariners of a hazardous shoal off the north coast of Shimo Shima, contributing to maritime safety in the region.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl R 8s
Focal Height
15m
Geographic Range
11.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1949

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with double gallery, mounted on a concrete pier

Location

City
Amakusa
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kumamoto Prefecture
Sea Region
shoal off the north coast of Shimo Shima
Latitude
32.5601°
Longitude
130.1077°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Futae(1.3 km)
Admiralty No.
M5147.4
NGA No.
11456
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kogame Iwa Lighthouse at night?+
Kogame Iwa displays the characteristic Fl Red 8s — 1 red flash every 8 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kogame Iwa Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kogame Iwa Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Futae at 1.4 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Oniike (4.1 NM ESE), Tomioka, Kumamoto (4.3 NM SW), Kuchinotsu (5.2 NM ENE), Tororo (6.5 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kogame Iwa Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kogame Iwa 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 Kogame Iwa Lighthouse?+
Kogame Iwa 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 Kogame Iwa Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kogame Iwa 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.