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Tomonoura Lighthouse

F White🇯🇵Fukuyama, JPOperational

A square stone tower, standing 7 meters tall, features a traditional lantern at its focal height of 10 meters. This structure, built from unpainted stone, is located on the waterfront of Tomonoura, a harbor in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture. It emits a continuous white light visible for 10.4 nautical miles. The lighthouse is recognized on nautical charts and the site is accessible to the public, although the tower itself is closed. Its nearest port is Tsuneishi, located 3.8 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is a rare surviving example of an *ishidoro*, a traditional Japanese harbor lantern, predating the country's modern lighthouse system. Its presence helps local mariners orient themselves within the harbor and contributes to navigational awareness for vessels entering Tomonoura.

Characteristic Signature
F White
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
White
Raw Code
F W
Focal Height
10m
Geographic Range
10.4NM
City
Fukuyama
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Hiroshima Prefecture
Sea Region
waterfront of Tomonoura, marking a Japanese harbor
Latitude
34.3824°
Longitude
133.3808°
Nearest Port
Tsuneishi(3.8 km)
Tower Height
7m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
stone tower with a traditional lantern
Material
stone

Structure: square unpainted stone tower with a traditional lantern

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Tomonoura Lighthouse at night?+
Tomonoura displays the characteristic F White. 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 Tomonoura Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Tomonoura Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Fukuyama, Kagoshima at 4 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Kuyama (4 NM NE), Tsuneishi (4.2 NM W), Yokota, Hiroshima (4.8 NM WSW), Fukuyama, Hiroshima (5 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Tomonoura Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Tomonoura 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 Tomonoura Lighthouse?+
Tomonoura 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 Tomonoura Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Tomonoura 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.