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Satsumae Kō Lighthouse

Fl (2) Green 6s🇯🇵Matsumae, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Satsumae Kō Lighthouse

This concrete lighthouse, standing 11 meters tall, marks the western breakwater of Satsumae harbor. Its cylindrical, hourglass-shaped tower is topped with a lantern and gallery. The light emits a single green flash every 6 seconds, visible for over 11 nautical miles. It is located approximately 2.5 kilometers north of Tatehama, serving as a guide for vessels entering the harbor. The site is open to the public, though the tower itself is closed to visitors. It is situated near the port of Shizuura, 1.6 kilometers away.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for guiding local fishing fleets and commercial vessels safely into Satsumae harbor, helping to avoid grounding on surrounding shallow waters and the breakwater itself.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) Green 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl G 6s
Focal Height
13m
Geographic Range
11.3NM

Location

City
Matsumae
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hokkaido Prefecture
Sea Region
Satsumae harbor, at the end of its west (main) breakwater, approximately 2.5 km north of Tatehama.
Latitude
41.4690°
Longitude
140.0295°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Shizuura(1.6 km)
Admiralty No.
M7040
NGA No.
0980
ARLHS No.
JPN-963

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with lantern and gallery

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 Satsumae Kō Lighthouse at night?+
Satsumae Kō displays the characteristic Fl (2) Green 6s — 2 green flashes every 6 seconds. 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 Satsumae Kō Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Satsumae Kō Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Shizuura at 1.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Matsumae (4 NM SE), Fukushima (hokkaido) (10.3 NM E), Fukushima, Hokkaido (10.4 NM E), Minmaya (20.1 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Satsumae Kō Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Satsumae 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 Satsumae Kō Lighthouse?+
Satsumae 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 Satsumae Kō Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Satsumae 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.