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

Murotsu Lighthouse

Oc White/Red 6s🇯🇵Kaminoseki, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Murotsu Lighthouse

Also known as: Murotsu (Murotu)

Constructed in 1936, the Murotsu Lighthouse is a 13-meter cylindrical concrete tower painted white. It stands directly beneath the northern end of the Kaminoseki Bridge, marking a narrow channel between Naga Shima and the mainland. The lighthouse emits an alternating white and red light on a 6-second cycle, indicating the direction of approach. Its focal height reaches 15 meters, providing a geographic range of 11.9 nautical miles. The structure includes a lantern and gallery, and its operational status ensures continuous service.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is indispensable for safe navigation through the constricted channel between Naga Shima and the mainland, a route heavily utilized by local shipping. Its distinctive directional light, which changes color from white to red, provides immediate guidance to mariners, preventing groundings or collisions in this challenging strait.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White/Red 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White/Red
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc W R 6s
Focal Height
15m
Geographic Range
11.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1936

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Murotsu, Yamaguchi(0.4 km)
Admiralty No.
M5626
NGA No.
9436
ARLHS No.
JPN-1639

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Kaminoseki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Yamaguchi Prefecture
Sea Region
Located under the north end of the Kaminoseki Bridge, marking the narrow channel between Naga Shima and the mainland.
Latitude
33.8319°
Longitude
132.1180°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Murotsu 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 Murotsu Lighthouse at night?+
Murotsu displays the characteristic Oc White/Red 6s. 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/red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Murotsu Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Murotsu Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hirao at 7.1 NM to the N. Other ports served include Yanai (7.1 NM N), Kuka (10.2 NM NE), Hikari (12.1 NM NW), Tsuzu Yamaguchi (13.7 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Murotsu Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Murotsu 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 Murotsu Lighthouse?+
Murotsu 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 Murotsu Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Murotsu 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.