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Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 8s🇯🇵Fukaura, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse

This white, cylindrical concrete tower, standing 19 meters tall, was built and first lit in 1959. It is situated on an exposed, rocky reef about 45 kilometers west of Iwasaki in the Sea of Japan. The lighthouse emits a single white flash every 8 seconds, visible for 13.2 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, providing access to the area around the structure, though the tower itself is closed to visitors. Its construction material is concrete, and it features a lantern and gallery.

Why it matters: This lighthouse warns vessels away from the dangerous Kyuroku Shima reef, an isolated hazard in the Sea of Japan.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl W 8s
Focal Height
20m
Geographic Range
13.2NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1959

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Fukaura
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Aomori Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on an exposed, rocky reef in the Sea of Japan about 45 km (28 mi) west of Iwasaki.
Latitude
40.5229°
Longitude
139.5133°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Fukaura, Aomori(20.2 km)
Admiralty No.
M7055.2
NGA No.
3640
ARLHS No.
JPN-1073
Wikidata
Q10877671 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Kyuroku Shima displays the characteristic Fl White 8s. 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 Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Fukaura, Aomori at 20.1 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Noshiro (29.4 NM SE), Ajigasawa (35.4 NM ENE), Funagawa (41.4 NM SSE), Akitafunagawa (41.9 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Kyuroku 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 Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse?+
Kyuroku 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 Kyuroku Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Kyuroku 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.