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Kume Shima Lighthouse

L White 6s🇯🇵Kitadaito, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kume Shima Lighthouse

Also known as: Kume Shima (Nishime Saki)

The Kume Shima Lighthouse is a white, cylindrical concrete tower built in 1958. Standing 21 meters tall with its light at a focal height of 54 meters, it emits a white flash every 6 seconds. The structure includes a lantern and gallery atop the tower, attached to a single-story concrete equipment building. It is situated at the western end of Kume Island and has a geographic range of 19.3 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located near the nearest port of Kamikatetsu, approximately 157 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the western extremity of the Okinawa Islands and the entrance to the Miyako Strait, a 250 km wide passage between the Okinawa and Sakishima Islands, also known as the Kerama Gap.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
L White 6s
Flash Type
L
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
L Fl W 6s
Focal Height
54m
Geographic Range
19.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1958

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kamikatetsu(157.0 km)
Admiralty No.
M4739.2
NGA No.
13492
USCG No.
JCG-7158
ARLHS No.
JPN-300

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
21m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

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

Location

City
Kitadaito
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Okinawa Prefecture
Sea Region
marks the western extremity of the Okinawa Islands and the entrance to the Miyako Strait (also called the Kerama Gap), the 250 km (155 mi) wide passage between the Okinawa and Sakishima Islands. Located at the western end of the island.
Latitude
25.9497°
Longitude
131.2938°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kume Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Kume Shima displays the characteristic L White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kume Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kume Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 1 nearby port. The closest is Minamidaito at 7.7 NM to the SSW. Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kume Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kume Shima 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.
How can I track vessels near Kume Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kume Shima 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.