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Rikuchū Ōshima Lighthouse

Fl White 3s🇯🇵Yamada, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Rikuchū Ōshima Lighthouse

An 11-meter white concrete post stands atop a square, single-story equipment building. This lighthouse is located on the southern tip of an island at the entrance to Funakoshi. Its white light flashes once every 3 seconds. The structure rises to a focal height of 28 meters and has a geographic range of 14.9 nautical miles. The island site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides maritime traffic into Funakoshi, serving as a navigational aid for vessels entering the bay.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl W 3s
Focal Height
28m
Geographic Range
14.9NM

Location

City
Yamada
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on the south end of an island at the entrance to Funakoshi.
Latitude
39.3977°
Longitude
141.9940°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Otsuchi(4.4 km)
Admiralty No.
M6595.1
NGA No.
4060
ARLHS No.
JPN-1112

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11m
Tower Shape
post
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: An 11m white concrete post rises from 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 Rikuchū Ōshima Lighthouse at night?+
Rikuchū Ōshima displays the characteristic Fl White 3s. 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 Ōshima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rikuchū Ōshima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Yamada, Iwate at 3.9 NM to the N. Other ports served include Kamaishi (9 NM SSW), Otsuchi (9 NM SSW), Tagi (9 NM SSW), Iya (14.2 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rikuchū Ōshima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rikuchū Ōshima 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 Ōshima Lighthouse?+
Rikuchū Ōshima 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 Ōshima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rikuchū Ōshima 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.