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Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse

Fl White 3s🇯🇵Matsumae, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse

The Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse is a 12-meter cylindrical fiberglass tower with a lantern and gallery, attached to a service building. It was first lit in 1982 and displays a white light with a single flash every 3 seconds. The tower is painted with horizontal red and white bands. Its focal height is 135 meters, providing a geographic range of 28.3 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated on the southwestern side of Matsumae Ōshima, an uninhabited volcanic island in the Sea of Japan, approximately 50 kilometers west of Matsumae. Access to the island is restricted and requires permits.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the uninhabited volcanic island of Matsumae Ōshima, serving as a hazard warning and navigational aid in the Sea of Japan. Its location on a protected island highlights the intersection of navigation safety and ecological preservation.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl W 3s
Focal Height
135m
Geographic Range
28.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1982

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Shizuura(30.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M6684
NGA No.
0988
ARLHS No.
JPN-335

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with red and white horizontal bands
Material
fiberglass

Structure: round cylindrical fiberglass tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small service building

Location

City
Matsumae
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hokkaido Prefecture
Sea Region
Uninhabited volcanic island Matsumae Ōshima in the Sea of Japan, about 50 km west of Matsumae, on the southwestern side of the island.
Latitude
41.4981°
Longitude
139.3446°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse at night?+
Matsumae Ōshima displays the characteristic Fl White 3s. 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 Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Shizuura at 30.1 NM to the E. Other ports served include Matsumae (33.9 NM E), Aonae (34 NM N), Fukushima (hokkaido) (41.1 NM E), Fukushima, Hokkaido (41.2 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Matsumae Ōshima 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 Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse?+
Matsumae Ōshima 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 Matsumae Ōshima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Matsumae Ōshima 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.