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

Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse

Fl White 24s🇯🇵Shimamaki, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse

Also known as: Motta

The Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse, built in 1937, is a cylindrical concrete tower standing 14 meters tall. It features a white exterior with a broad black horizontal band. The structure includes a lantern, gallery, and a traditional dunce-cap roof, attached to a single-story concrete equipment room. Its light emits one white flash every 24 seconds from a focal height of 282 meters, visible for over 39 nautical miles. The lighthouse is operational and located on a cape in Shimamaki, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for guiding ships around the distinctive Motsuta (Motta) Misaki cape, preventing groundings and ensuring safe passage along the coast. Architecturally, its traditional dunce-cap roof gives it a unique and recognizable profile.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 24s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
24s
Raw Code
Fl W 24s
Focal Height
282m
Geographic Range
39.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1937

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a broad black horizontal band
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a traditional dunce-cap roof, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room

Location

City
Shimamaki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hokkaido Prefecture
Sea Region
Motsuta (Motta) Misaki, Japan
Latitude
42.6145°
Longitude
139.8279°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Setana(9.9 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-916
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Motsuta Misaki 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 Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse at night?+
Motsuta Misaki displays the characteristic Fl White 24s. 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 Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Setana at 10 NM to the S. Other ports served include Suttsu (21.1 NM ENE), Okushiri (29.5 NM SSW), Aonae (37.3 NM SSW), Iwanai (37.8 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Motsuta Misaki 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.
How can I track vessels near Motsuta Misaki Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Motsuta Misaki 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.