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Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl Red 4s🇯🇵Tōkai, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse

A cylindrical concrete tower, 10 meters high, stands on the north breakwater of the Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The structure, described as a round hourglass shape, supports a focal height of 14 meters. It emits a red light with a flash characteristic of one red flash every 4 seconds, visible for 11.6 nautical miles. The power plant it served, Japan's oldest nuclear facility, has undergone significant changes, with one reactor decommissioned in 1998 and the other shut down following the 2011 tsunami. The site is now closed to the public.

Why it matters: The light served to mark the northern edge of the protective breakwater for Japan's oldest nuclear power facility, ensuring safe passage for vessels supporting its operations.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl R 4s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Construction & History

Significant events: one reactor decommissioned in 1998, other reactor shut down after 2011 tsunami

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hitachi(1.4 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-1392

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: round hourglass-shaped concrete tower

Location

City
Tōkai
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Ibaraki Prefecture
Sea Region
North breakwater of the Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant in Japan.
Latitude
36.4642°
Longitude
140.6160°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater displays the characteristic Fl Red 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hitachi at 1.6 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Kawarago (2.3 NM NNE), Shirakata (2.3 NM NNE), Hitachinaka (2.6 NM S), Nakaminato (7.6 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater 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 Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater 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 Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Tōkai Nuclear Plant North Breakwater 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.