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Ryōri Kō Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇯🇵Ofunato, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ryōri Kō Lighthouse

Ryōri Kō Lighthouse, a cylindrical concrete tower painted white, stands 13 meters tall. It was first lit in 1922, with the current structure built in 1935. Situated on a bluff about 12 kilometers south-southeast of Ōfunato, it overlooks the Ōfunato Wan bay along the Rikuchū coast. The lighthouse emits a single white flash every four seconds. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as a landfall light, guiding vessels toward the entrance of Ōfunato Wan, a significant natural harbor on the Rikuchū coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
48m
Geographic Range
18.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1935
First Lit
1922

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round white concrete tower

Location

City
Ofunato
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
Ōfunato Wan (bay) on the Rikuchū coast, located on a bluff about 12 km south southeast of Ōfunato, serving as a landfall light for ships approaching the narrow entrance.
Latitude
39.0412°
Longitude
141.7961°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ohfunato(3.2 km)
Admiralty No.
M6582
ARLHS No.
JPN-275
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Ryōri Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Ryōri Kō 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 Ryōri Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ryōri Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Nojiri at 3 NM to the W. Other ports served include Sakihama (4.7 NM NE), Hirota, Iwate (7.5 NM WSW), Kesennuma (12.9 NM SW), En (13.9 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ryōri Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ryōri 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 Ryōri Kō Lighthouse?+
Ryōri 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 Ryōri Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ryōri 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.