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Taka Shima Lighthouse

Fl (3) White 13s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Taka Shima Lighthouse

Taka Shima Lighthouse is a white, cylindrical concrete tower standing 11 meters tall, situated on the southern end of a small island northeast of Yobuko harbor. Its light, at a focal height of 55 meters, emits three white flashes every 13 seconds, visible for nearly 20 nautical miles. The structure consists of a concrete post attached to a single-story concrete equipment building. This operational light serves vessels approaching the nearest port of Yobuko, located just 0.7 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is critical for ships entering and exiting the harbor of Yobuko, warning them of the island's presence and defining a safe channel into the port.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White 13s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
13s
Raw Code
Fl W 13s
Focal Height
55m
Geographic Range
19.4NM

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Small island northeast of the entrance to the harbor of Yobuko, located on the southern end of the island.
Latitude
33.5528°
Longitude
129.8955°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: concrete post attached to a 1-story concrete equipment building

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Yobuko(0.7 km)
Admiralty No.
M5266
NGA No.
12228
USCG No.
JCG-5887
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Taka Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Taka Shima displays the characteristic Fl (3) White 13s — 3 white flashes every 13 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Taka Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Taka Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Yobuko at 0.6 NM to the S. Other ports served include Tobo (4.6 NM SSE), Karatsu (5.5 NM SE), Fukushima, Nagasaki (13.1 NM SSW), Kafuri (13.2 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Taka Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Taka 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 Taka Shima Lighthouse?+
Taka 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 Taka Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Taka 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.