Okirai Lighthouse
Location & Light Range
About Okirai Lighthouse
Also known as: Okirai (Okkirai) Kō East Breakwater
Okirai Lighthouse, built in 2013, aids navigation along the Iwate Prefecture coastline. Situated near the town of Ofunato, its red tower stands 12 meters above sea level. The light emits a single red flash every three seconds, visible for 11 nautical miles. This modern structure is located about 5.3 kilometers from the nearest port. The lighthouse grounds are open to the public, although visitors cannot ascend the tower.
Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for local fishing boats and smaller commercial vessels navigating the intricate coastal waters around Okirai, helping them identify safe channels and avoid hazards.
Light & Optic
- Flash Type
- Flashing
- Light Color
- Red
- Interval
- 3s
- Raw Code
- Fl R 3s
- Focal Height
- 12m
- Geographic Range
- 11NM
Construction & History
- Year Built
- 2013
Visiting
- Open to public
- Site open, tower closed
Nearby Vessels
Tower & Structure
- Tower Color
- red
Structure: Okirai Lighthouse, established in 2013, guides mariners along the rugged coastline of Japan. Perched to overlook the waters near Okirai, it provides a crucial red flash every three seconds, helping vessels navigate the local bays and approaches. The surrounding landscape likely features dramatic cliffs and small fishing villages, typical of many Japanese coastal areas, where the sea is both a livelihood and a challenge. Its modern construction suggests a contemporary need for improved maritime safety in this active fishing and shipping region, perhaps supporting local fishing fleets or smaller commercial vessels as they enter and exit the sheltered harbors. Visitors are welcome to explore the lighthouse grounds, offering serene views of the sea and the surrounding landscape, though access to the tower itself remains restricted. This relatively recent addition to Japan's network of navigational aids ensures safe passage for those who ply these waters, reflecting an ongoing commitment to maritime safety in a dynamic coastal environment and contributing to the region's maritime heritage.
Location
- City
- Ofunato
- Country
- 🇯🇵Japan
- Region
- Iwate Prefecture
- Sea Region
- Coastal waters near Okirai, Japan
- Latitude
- 39.1126°
- Longitude
- 141.8175°
References & Identifiers
- Nearest Port
- Ohfunato(5.3 km)
- Admiralty No.
- M6586.4
- NGA No.
- 4160
- ARLHS No.
- JPN-1117
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