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Kuro Shima Lighthouse

Al White/Green 5s🇯🇵Mishima, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kuro Shima Lighthouse

Also known as: Kuro Shima (Satsuma Kuroshima)

This concrete lighthouse stands 11 meters tall on the eastern tip of Kuroshima, an island within Japan's Mishima group. Its light, positioned 239 meters above sea level, emits alternating white and green flashes every 5 seconds. The structure is a square cylindrical tower topped with a lantern and gallery. The site is accessible to visitors, though the tower itself remains closed to the public. Kuroshima is the westernmost of three inhabited islands in the Mishima group, located within Kagoshima Prefecture.

Why it matters: The light's distinctive flash pattern highlights Kuroshima's eastern extremity, guiding vessels through the Mishima island chain. It is essential for the ferry service that connects the island to Iwojima, Kagoshima, located 16.7 kilometers away.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Al White/Green 5s
Flash Type
Alternating
Light Color
White/Green
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Al WG 5s
Focal Height
239m
Geographic Range
36.4NM

Location

City
Mishima
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kagoshima Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on heights at the eastern tip of Kuroshima, the westernmost of three inhabited islands of the Mishima group.
Latitude
30.8304°
Longitude
129.9606°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Iwojima, Kagoshima(16.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M4804
NGA No.
12990
USCG No.
JCG-6901.5

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery

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 Kuro Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Kuro Shima displays the characteristic Al White/Green 5s. 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/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Kuro Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kuro Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sato at 0.4 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Katadomari (2.7 NM W), Iwayadomari (23.4 NM SSE), Takeshima (23.7 NM E), Mugi (27.2 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kuro Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kuro 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.
What shipping routes pass near Kuro Shima Lighthouse?+
Kuro Shima 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 Kuro Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kuro 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.