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Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse

F white 5s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse

Also known as: Ogawashima

Located in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, Ogawa Shima (Ogawashima) Kō is a concrete post lighthouse situated at the entrance to Ogawa Shima Port. The tower stands 8.5 meters tall and emits a white light with a single flash every 20 seconds from a focal height of 24 meters, visible for 15 nautical miles. Its structure consists of a concrete post connected to a single-story concrete equipment building. The lighthouse site is accessible to the public, though the tower itself remains closed. It is positioned near the port of Yobuko, approximately 3.1 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marked the entrance to Ogawa Shima Port, aiding local fishing boats and cargo vessels navigating the coastal waters.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F white 5s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
white
Interval
5s
Raw Code
F.W. 20
Focal Height
24m
Geographic Range
15NM

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Ogawa Shima (Ogawashima) Port, Japan
Latitude
33.5935°
Longitude
129.8990°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Yobuko(3.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M5265.4
NGA No.
12192
ARLHS No.
JPN-2357

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8.5m
Tower Shape
post
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: concrete post attached to a 1-story concrete equipment building

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 Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Ogawa Shima Kō displays the characteristic F white 5s. 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 Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Yobuko at 3.1 NM to the S. Other ports served include Tobo (6.8 NM SSE), Karatsu (7.4 NM SSE), Kafuri (13.2 NM E), Ashibe (14.7 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ogawa Shima 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 Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse?+
Ogawa Shima 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 Ogawa Shima Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ogawa Shima 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.