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Morie Kō Lighthouse

Fl Red 8s🇯🇵Kitsuki, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Morie Kō Lighthouse

Morie Kō lighthouse, an active aid to navigation, stands 9 meters tall on a 1-story concrete base. This cylindrical concrete tower, painted red, rises 11 meters above sea level. It is situated in Morie Bay, Oita Prefecture, Japan, marking a sandbar at the end of a spit that shelters the natural harbor. The lighthouse emits a single red flash every 8 seconds, visible for 10.7 nautical miles. The site is open to visitors, though the tower itself is closed. The nearest port, Morie, is just 0.8 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for safe navigation within Morie Bay, specifically warning vessels about the sandbar that lies just off the protective spit. Its red light guides ships into the natural harbor, preventing groundings and ensuring the continued accessibility of this sheltered waterway for local maritime traffic.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 8s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Fl R 8s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Location

City
Kitsuki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Oita Prefecture
Sea Region
Morie Bay, a natural harbor sheltered by a long spit on its eastern side, marking a sandbar just off the end of the spit.
Latitude
33.4094°
Longitude
131.6590°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Morie(0.8 km)
Admiralty No.
M4956
NGA No.
9416
USCG No.
JCG-4999

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower rising from one end of an elliptical 1-story concrete base

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 Morie Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Morie Kō 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 Morie Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Morie Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Morie at 0.5 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Kitsuki (2.2 NM WNW), Musashi (6.5 NM NE), Beppushinko (9.1 NM SW), Beppu, Oita (9.1 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Morie Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Morie 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 Morie Kō Lighthouse?+
Morie 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 Morie Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Morie 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.