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Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇯🇵Rikuzen-Takata, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse

A white, cylindrical, hourglass-shaped concrete tower, 10 meters in height, is situated on a small islet roughly 12 kilometers southeast of Rikuzentakata, close to a sharp headland. The lantern is elevated to 47 meters above sea level. The light produces a single white flash at 6-second intervals, with a range of 18.2 nautical miles. Access is limited to boats, and while the grounds are open, the tower is not accessible to the public. The Sakihama port is 5.1 kilometers distant.

Why it matters: This structure serves as a navigation aid, marking the headland and islet southeast of Rikuzentakata, and assists maritime traffic in this rocky region.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
47m
Geographic Range
18.2NM

Location

City
Rikuzen-Takata
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Iwate Prefecture
Sea Region
Located on an islet off a sharp promontory about 12 km southeast of Rikuzentakata.
Latitude
38.9360°
Longitude
141.7166°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sakihama(5.1 km)
Admiralty No.
M6571
NGA No.
4216
ARLHS No.
JPN-1135

Tower & Structure

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

Structure: round hourglass-shaped white concrete tower

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Tsubaki Shima displays the characteristic Fl 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 Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hirota, Iwate at 3.8 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Kesennuma (6.3 NM WSW), En (6.9 NM SW), Nojiri (6.9 NM N), Nakayama (6.9 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Tsubaki 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 Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse?+
Tsubaki 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 Tsubaki Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Tsubaki 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.