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

Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse

Fl White 3s🇯🇵Kure, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse

This concrete lighthouse, built and first lit in 1975, stands 9 meters tall. Its round white tower has a focal height of 11 meters and emits a single white flash every 3 seconds. The structure includes a square, single-story equipment shelter. Mitarai Ōshima lighthouse is situated on the northern point of an island, located off the northeast point of Osaki Shimo-jima. It marks the entrance to a narrow passage and has a geographic range of 10.7 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for safe navigation through the narrow passage it marks, a critical route for local maritime traffic around Osaki Shimo-jima. Its consistent white flash provides a reliable reference point, preventing groundings and collisions in a complex island environment.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl W 3s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1975

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: A 9m concrete post, painted white, with a focal plane of 11m. It is attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter.

Location

City
Kure
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hiroshima Prefecture
Sea Region
northern point of an island off the northeast point of Osaki Shimo-jima, marking the entrance to a narrow passage
Latitude
34.1950°
Longitude
132.8557°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Okamura(1.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M5697.2
NGA No.
8856
USCG No.
JCG-4656
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Mitarai Ōshima 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 Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse at night?+
Mitarai 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 Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Okamura at 1.7 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Kinoe (3.8 NM NE), Namikata (6.4 NM SE), Kamagari (6.7 NM W), Akitsu (7.4 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Mitarai 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 Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse?+
Mitarai 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 Mitarai Ōshima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Mitarai 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.