Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Minatohama Kō Lighthouse

F Red 5s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Minatohama Kō Lighthouse

Built in 1965, Minatohama Kō is a concrete post structure 8.5 meters high, attached to a 1-story square concrete equipment building. The red-painted tower has a focal height of 13 meters. Its light characteristic is a single red flash every 5 seconds (F.Fl R 5s), visible for 11.3 nautical miles. This light marks the end of the main north breakwater for the small port located in the lee of Mese Hana. The site is accessible to the public, but the tower is not.

Why it matters: This navigation aid provides a red signal for vessels approaching the small port of Minatohama and is used by the local fishing fleet.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F Red 5s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Red
Interval
5s
Raw Code
F.Fl R 5s
Focal Height
13m
Geographic Range
11.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1965

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment building

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Located at the end of the north (main) breakwater of Minatohama, a small port in the lee of Mese Hana.
Latitude
33.5246°
Longitude
129.9591°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kashikojima(0.9 km)
Admiralty No.
M5269.06
NGA No.
12244
ARLHS No.
JPN-2354
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Minatohama Kō Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Japan, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Minatohama Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Minatohama Kō displays the characteristic F Red 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Minatohama Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Minatohama Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Karatsu at 2.5 NM to the S. Other ports served include Tobo (2.8 NM SSW), Yobuko (3.5 NM WNW), Kafuri (10.1 NM E), Fukushima, Nagasaki (13.2 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Minatohama Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Minatohama Kō 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 Minatohama Kō Lighthouse?+
Minatohama Kō 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 Minatohama Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Minatohama Kō 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.