Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse

Oc White 6s🇯🇵Ishinomaki, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse

The Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse stands on the south-pointing promontory at the end of the Rikuzen Coast, approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Ishinomaki. The current round, cylindrical concrete tower, which is 12 meters tall, was constructed in 1991. It replaced an earlier skeletal tower. The lighthouse emits an occulting white light every 6 seconds, visible for 20.8 nautical miles. Its focal height is 65 meters above sea level. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse warns mariners of the Kuro Saki promontory, guiding vessels safely past this significant coastal feature on Japan's northeastern coastline.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc White 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc W 6s
Focal Height
65m
Geographic Range
20.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1991
First Lit
1929

Significant events: Current tower built in 1991, replacing a former skeletal tower

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery

Location

City
Ishinomaki
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyagi Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on Kuro Saki, the south-pointing promontory that is the end of the Rikuzen Coast, about 40 km southeast of Ishinomaki.
Latitude
38.2731°
Longitude
141.5188°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ayukawa(1.4 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-507
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near Japan, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse at night?+
Rikuzen Kuro Saki displays the characteristic Oc White 6s. 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 Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ayukawa at 1.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Omotehama (3.9 NM NW), Oginohama (6.9 NM NNW), Onagawa (10.5 NM NNW), Watanoha (10.8 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rikuzen Kuro Saki 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 Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse?+
Rikuzen Kuro Saki 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 Rikuzen Kuro Saki Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rikuzen Kuro Saki 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.