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Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl (2) White 20s🇯🇵Sotogahama, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse

This white, cylindrical lighthouse was built in 1932 and first lit the same year. Its structure consists of a round cylindrical tower with a lantern and gallery atop a two-story crew quarters building. With a focal height of 119 meters, its light emits two white flashes every 20 seconds and has a geographic range of 26.8 nautical miles. The lighthouse stands on the point of a cape, about 8 kilometers northwest of Minmaya in Aomori Prefecture. The site is open to the public, though the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: It works in conjunction with the Shirakami Misaki Light to illuminate the western entrance to the Tsugaru Strait, a significant maritime route.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White 20s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Fl W 20s
Focal Height
119m
Light Range
27.0086932937365NM (50.0 km)
Geographic Range
26.8NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1932

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white

Structure: round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery mounted atop a 2-story crew quarters building

Location

City
Sotogahama
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Aomori Prefecture
Sea Region
Lights the western entrance to Tsugaru Strait, on the point of the cape, about 8 km northwest of Minmaya. Works with Shirakami Misaki Light at the southernmost tip of Hokkaidō.
Latitude
41.2585°
Longitude
140.3418°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kodomari, Aomori(7.3 km)
ARLHS No.
JPN-627
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 119 meters and a nominal range of 27.0086932937365 nautical miles (approximately 50.0 km), Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. Lights of this range are typically used as landfall lights by vessels approaching from the open sea.
How do mariners identify Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl (2) White 20s — 2 white flashes every 20 seconds. 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 Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Minmaya at 1.2 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Odomari (7.4 NM SSW), Kodomari, Aomori (7.5 NM SSW), Otomi (10.4 NM ESE), Fukushima (hokkaido) (13.6 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses 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 Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses 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 Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses 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.