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

Nabe Shima Lighthouse

Al Red/Green 16s🇯🇵Sakaide, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Nabe Shima Lighthouse

Constructed from stone in 1872, Nabe Shima Lighthouse is a 10-meter cylindrical tower standing on a small island. It rises from a semicircular keeper's house, also built of stone. The tower's focal height reaches 29 meters above sea level. Its light characteristic is an alternating red and green signal every 16 seconds, visible for 15.1 nautical miles. This lighthouse guides vessels through the Great Seto crossing, the narrowest part of the Seto Inland Sea. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for guiding ships through the Great Seto crossing, especially with the proximity of the Great Seto Bridge. Its distinct red and green light provides clear navigational cues in a busy maritime area.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Al Red/Green 16s
Flash Type
Alternating
Light Color
Red/Green
Interval
16s
Raw Code
Al R G 16s
Focal Height
29m
Geographic Range
15.1NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1872

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical stone tower rising from a 1-story semicircular stone keeper's house

Location

City
Sakaide
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kagawa Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on a small island near the center of the Great Seto crossing, about 8 km north of Sakaide, spanning the narrowest section of the Seto Inland Sea.
Latitude
34.3824°
Longitude
133.8237°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sakaide(2.3 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-387
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Nabe Shima 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 Nabe Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Nabe Shima displays the characteristic Al Red/Green 16s. 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/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Nabe Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Nabe Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sakaide at 3.2 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Utazu (3.2 NM SSE), Shimotsui (3.5 NM NNW), Aoki (5.3 NM SSW), Ikunohama (5.3 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Nabe Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Nabe Shima 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 Nabe Shima Lighthouse?+
Nabe Shima 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 Nabe Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Nabe Shima 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.