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Otanabe Kō Lighthouse

Oc Green 4s🇯🇵Fudai, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Otanabe Kō Lighthouse

Otanabe Kō lighthouse is a 10-meter white concrete post, built upon a 1-story equipment room. It is located at the end of the south breakwater, marking the entrance to Otanabe harbor on the north side of the Kuro Saki headland. The focal plane of its green light is 14 meters above sea level. This light emits a green flash every 4 seconds, visible for 11.6 nautical miles. The lighthouse site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed. The nearest port is Noda, 7.1 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for the safe navigation of vessels entering and departing Otanabe harbor, particularly guiding them around the south breakwater and the Kuro Saki headland.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Green 4s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc G 4s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Location

City
Fudai
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
Otanabe harbor, marking the end of the south breakwater on the north side of the Kuro Saki headland.
Latitude
40.0120°
Longitude
141.9082°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Noda(7.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M6607
ARLHS No.
JPN-1121

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: A 10m white concrete post attached to a square 1-story equipment room.

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 Otanabe Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Otanabe Kō displays the characteristic Oc Green 4s. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Otanabe Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Otanabe Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is NODA at 7.1 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Omoto (10.2 NM SSE), Kuji, Iwate (12.2 NM NNW), Miyako, Iwate (22.6 NM S), Iya (23 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Otanabe Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Otanabe 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 Otanabe Kō Lighthouse?+
Otanabe 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 Otanabe Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Otanabe 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.