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Yu Shima Lighthouse

Fl White 3s🇯🇵Kamiamakusa, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Yu Shima Lighthouse

Yu Shima Lighthouse stands on the westernmost point of a small, roughly one-kilometer-diameter island in Ariake Bay. Established and first lit in 1916, the lighthouse features a white, round cylindrical concrete tower topped with a lantern and gallery. It rises 11.5 meters, with its light positioned 39 meters above sea level. The characteristic is a single white flash every 3 seconds, visible for nearly 17 nautical miles. The site is accessible to the public, though the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for guiding vessels, including passenger ferries, through Ariake Bay, marking the western edge of the island.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl W 3s
Focal Height
39m
Geographic Range
16.9NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1916

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
11.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Kamiamakusa
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Kumamoto Prefecture
Sea Region
Yu Shima is an island about 1 km in diameter in the middle of Ariake Bay about 10 km west of Kami-Amakusa. The lighthouse is located on the western tip of the island.
Latitude
32.6053°
Longitude
130.3313°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ebito(4.2 km)
Admiralty No.
M5156
ARLHS No.
JPN-764
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Yu Shima Lighthouse at night?+
Yu Shima displays the characteristic Fl White 3s. 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 Yu Shima Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Yu Shima Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Oura/Ariake at 5.1 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Yanagi (6.5 NM ESE), Aizu, Kumamoto (6.9 NM E), Akasaki, Kumamoto (6.9 NM E), Fukuura, Kumamoto (6.9 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Yu Shima Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Yu 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 Yu Shima Lighthouse?+
Yu 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 Yu Shima Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Yu 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.