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Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse

Fl Red 3s🇯🇵Hitachinaka, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse

A red, cylindrical concrete tower, 11 meters in height, stands on the south end of a detached breakwater protecting the entrance to Nakaminato harbor. The structure features a flared top and emits a red light that flashes once every 3 seconds. With a focal height of 14 meters, it offers a geographic range of 11.6 nautical miles. The site is accessible by boat and open to visitors, though the tower itself is closed to the public. It is situated 0.3 kilometers from the nearest port, Nakaminato, in Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for the safe navigation of fishing vessels and other maritime traffic entering Nakaminato harbor, marking the entrance to the protected waters. Its distinct red flash aids mariners in identifying the passage from the open sea.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl R 3s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Location

City
Hitachinaka
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Ibaraki Prefecture
Sea Region
south end of a detached breakwater protecting the entrance to the harbor of Nakaminato
Latitude
36.3367°
Longitude
140.6050°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Nakaminato(0.3 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-1386

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with a flared top

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 Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Nakaminato Kō displays the characteristic Fl Red 3s. 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 Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Nakaminato at 0.3 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Oarai (2.2 NM SW), Hitachinaka (5.2 NM N), Hitachi (9.2 NM N), Kawarago (9.9 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Nakaminato 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 Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse?+
Nakaminato 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 Nakaminato Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Nakaminato 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.