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Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇯🇵Yamada, JPOperational

An 11-meter white concrete post structure stands at the southeast end of an island, marking the entrance to Funakoshi. The lighthouse features a square, one-story equipment room at its base. It emits a white flash every four seconds, visible for 12.7 nautical miles. The site is accessible by boat and is located about 2.5 km northwest of the Ōshima light. While the tower is closed to the public, the island itself is open for visitors.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for local mariners, particularly fishing boats, as it precisely marks the entrance to Funakoshi, a critical passage along this stretch of coastline. Its location on a small, boat-accessible island makes it a distinctive landmark.

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
18m
Geographic Range
12.7NM
City
Yamada
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on the southeast end of an island at the entrance to Funakoshi, about 2.5 km northwest of the Ōshima light.
Latitude
39.4094°
Longitude
141.9778°
Nearest Port
Yamada(3.6 km)
Admiralty No.
M6595.5
NGA No.
4064
ARLHS No.
JPN-1099
Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
post
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: An 11m white concrete post attached to a square 1-story equipment room.

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Rikuchū Benten Shima displays the characteristic Fl White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Yamada, Iwate at 3.1 NM to the N. Other ports served include Kamaishi (9.3 NM SSW), Otsuchi (9.3 NM SSW), Tagi (9.3 NM SSW), Iya (13.4 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rikuchū Benten Shima 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 Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse?+
Rikuchū Benten Shima 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 Rikuchū Benten Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rikuchū Benten Shima 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.