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Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse

Fl (6) White 15s🇯🇵Minabe, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse

Minabe Town Lighthouse, also known as Metsu Saki, is an active lighthouse completed in 1998. The structure consists of a round cylindrical concrete tower rising from a large square stone pier. Its upper half is painted yellow, and the lower half is black, standing 8 meters tall with a focal height of 8 meters. It emits a white light with one flash every 15 seconds, visible for 9.7 nautical miles. Located at the end of a reef extending from a promontory in Minabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, its site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed. The nearest port is Tanabe, 4.3 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse warns vessels of the reef extending from the Metsu Saki promontory.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (6) White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
6 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
8m
Geographic Range
9.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1998

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
Upper half yellow, lower half black
Material
stone, concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower centered on a large square stone pier

Location

City
Minabe
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Wakayama Prefecture
Sea Region
Metsu Saki (Metsusaki), at the end of a reef extending from a promontory at Minabe, Japan.
Latitude
33.7584°
Longitude
135.2936°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Tanabe(4.3 km)
Admiralty No.
M5977.8.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse at night?+
Minabe Town Lighthouse displays the characteristic Fl (6) White 15s — 6 white flashes every 15 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Tanabe at 4.1 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Inami (5 NM NW), Mori (5.4 NM ESE), Hidaka (9.8 NM NW), Gobo Wakayama (10.4 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Minabe Town Lighthouse 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 Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
Minabe Town Lighthouse 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 Minabe Town Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Minabe Town Lighthouse 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.