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Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater Lighthouse

🇯🇵Nishinoomote, JPOperational

Built in 1964, this 9.5-meter concrete post lighthouse guided vessels into Nishinoomote harbor. The structure, painted white, features a square, one-story concrete equipment room at its base. Although it ceased operations in 2015, the lighthouse remains in place, a departure from the typical removal of deactivated lights in Japan. It is situated at the end of the west breakwater, north of Nippominato Park. Visitors can access the site, but the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as a historical marker for Nishinoomote harbor's maritime past, having provided guidance for over fifty years. Its continued presence after deactivation is unusual in Japan, making it a rare surviving example of such a structure.

Focal Height
9.5m
Geographic Range
10.2NM
Year Built
1964

Significant events: Inactive since 2015, remained despite typical removal of deactivated lights

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
post
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: A 9.5m concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment room. The entire lighthouse is painted white.

City
Nishinoomote
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kagoshima Prefecture
Sea Region
End of the breakwater in Nishinoomote harbor, north of which is Nippominato Park
Latitude
30.7302°
Longitude
130.9874°
Nearest Port
Nishinoomote(0.8 km)
Admiralty No.
M4798.4
NGA No.
13012
ARLHS No.
JPN-2581
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Which ports and harbors does Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Nishinoomote at 0.3 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Kaminofuruta (4.6 NM NNE), Tanowaki (4.8 NM ESE), Iseki (5.2 NM ENE), Makigawa (6.4 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater 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 Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater 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 Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Nishinoomote Sinko West Breakwater 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.