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Takahama Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇯🇵Amakusa, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Takahama Lighthouse

The Takahama lighthouse, a cylindrical concrete tower built in 1971, stands 9.5 meters tall on a headland at the entrance to Takahama harbor. Its light has a focal height of 65 meters and emits a white flash every 4 seconds, with a geographic range of 20.8 nautical miles. The structure is a round concrete tower attached to a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. It is situated behind a Buddhist shrine within Jyusanbutsu Park on the west coast of Shimo Shima, in Amakusa city. The lighthouse is operational and located 4.9 kilometers from the nearest port, Sakitsu.

Why it matters: This lighthouse provides a key navigational reference for vessels entering and departing Takahama harbor. Its location within Jyusanbutsu Park, near a Buddhist shrine, also makes it a point of cultural interest.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
65m
Light Range
7NM (13.0 km)
Geographic Range
20.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1971

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sakitsu(4.9 km)
Admiralty No.
M5144.5
NGA No.
11436
ARLHS No.
JPN-614

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter

Location

City
Amakusa
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kumamoto Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on a headland on the north side of the entrance to Takahama harbor, on the west coast of Shimo Shima. The lighthouse is behind a Buddhist shrine at the top of the headland in Jyusanbutsu Park.
Latitude
32.3839°
Longitude
129.9885°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Takahama Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 65 meters and a nominal range of 7 nautical miles (approximately 13.0 km), Takahama is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. As a shorter-range light, it primarily serves nearshore and coastal traffic.
How do mariners identify Takahama Lighthouse at night?+
Takahama 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 Takahama Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Takahama Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Takahama/Amakusa at 0.3 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Sakitsu (4.7 NM SSE), Tororo (5.7 NM NNE), Tomioka, Kumamoto (8.5 NM NNE), Oniki (8.8 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Takahama Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Takahama 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 Takahama Lighthouse?+
Takahama 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 Takahama Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Takahama 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.