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Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse

Fl Red 8s🇯🇵Mitoyo, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse

Mitawa Iwa is a 10-meter-tall cylindrical stone and concrete tower located in Takuma Bay, marking the entrance to Takuma port. Its red light flashes once every eight seconds and is visible for 10.4 nautical miles. The lighthouse stands on a stone pier and its site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed. This structure serves as a navigational aid at the port entrance, which is approximately 0.6 kilometers away. The lighthouse is operational and guides vessels into the port.

Why it matters: Mitawa Iwa is essential for the safe navigation of vessels entering Takuma port, delineating the channel and preventing potential groundings and collisions.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl R 8s
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Location

City
Mitoyo
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kagawa Prefecture
Sea Region
Takuma Bay at the entrance to Takuma port
Latitude
34.2475°
Longitude
133.6772°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Takuma(0.6 km)
Admiralty No.
M5509
NGA No.
8364

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
stone, concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a stone pier

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse at night?+
Mitawa Iwa displays the characteristic Fl Red 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Takuma at 1.2 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Awashima (2.4 NM WNW), Nio (3.4 NM SW), Ohama, Ehime (3.6 NM WSW), Tadotsu (3.7 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Mitawa Iwa 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 Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse?+
Mitawa Iwa 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 Mitawa Iwa Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Mitawa Iwa 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.