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

Terahama Lighthouse

Iso White 6s🇯🇵Minami-Sanriku, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Terahama Lighthouse

Terahama Lighthouse, built of concrete in 1951, stands 10 meters tall on a promontory within the Kamiwarisaki Camping Ground. This square tower with a gallery rises from a single-story octagonal equipment room. Its light emits an isophase white flash every 6 seconds from a focal height of 49 meters, visible for 18.5 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located about 15 kilometers southeast of Shizugama in Miyagi Prefecture. While the grounds are accessible to visitors, the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks a significant promontory southeast of Shizugama, guiding coastal shipping. Its location within a camping ground also makes it a point of interest for recreational visitors.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso White 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso W 6s
Focal Height
49m
Light Range
13NM (24.1 km)
Geographic Range
18.5NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1951

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Shizugawa(4.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M6558
NGA No.
4292
ARLHS No.
JPN-640

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: square concrete tower with gallery, rising from an octagonal 1-story concrete equipment room

Location

City
Minami-Sanriku
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Miyagi Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on a promontory about 15 km southeast of Shizugama, Japan, within the Kamiwarisaki Camping Ground.
Latitude
38.6361°
Longitude
141.5277°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Terahama 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 far offshore can Terahama Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 49 meters and a nominal range of 13 nautical miles (approximately 24.1 km), Terahama is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Terahama Lighthouse at night?+
Terahama displays the characteristic Iso 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 Terahama Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Terahama Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Aika at 2.3 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Osaki/Mitsushima (4.2 NM NNE), Shizugawa (4.2 NM WNW), Itabashi (4.5 NM N), Funakoshi (6.2 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Terahama Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Terahama 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 Terahama Lighthouse?+
Terahama 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 Terahama Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Terahama 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.