Lighthouses of Japan: Western Aomori

The nation of Japan, known in Japanese as Nihon or Nippon (日本), occupies an archipelago off the east coast of Asia. The four main islands are Hokkaidō in the north, Honshū (the largest) in the center, Shikoku in the south, and Kyūshū in the southwest. The country includes thousands of other islands of all sizes; among them the Ryūkyū (Nansei) Islands are a long chain extending to the southwest and including the large island of Okinawa, and the Nanpō Islands are another long chain extending south into the Pacific Ocean. Much of Japan is mountainous but the coastal regions are densely populated and urbanized; the country's population is about 126 million.

Japan is divided into 47 prefectures. This page describes lighthouses of the western haf of Aomori Prefecture, located at the northern end of Honshū. Aomori faces Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, connecting the Sea of Japan on the west to the open Pacific Ocean on the east. This scenic coastline includes several of Japan's most famous lighthouses.

In Japanese the word for a lighthouse is tōdai or toudai (灯台). The words saki and misaki are for capes and headlands, hana ("nose") is a promontory, hantō is a peninsula, shima (also spelled sima or jima) is an island, bae is a reef, iwa or shi is a rocky reef, amase or se is a shoal, wan is a bay, nada is a sound or basin, kaikyō is a strait, kawa is a river, and or minato is a harbor.

Lighthouses in Japan are operated and maintained by the Japanese Coast Guard's Maritime Safety Agency. On Honshū there is usually one Coast Guard Section Office in each prefecture. Aomori Prefecture has such a long coastline that it has two section offices, one in Aomori and one in Hachinohe. All the lighthouses on this page are maintained by the Aomori offoce.

A note on the Sea of Japan/East Sea controversy: The Directory takes no side in any international dispute; it makes use of the terminology, names, and spellings as they currently exist in each area covered. The sea between Japan and Korea is called the Sea of Japan on the pages for Japan and the East Sea on the pages for Korea.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. JCG numbers are the Japanese Coast Guard's light list numbers. Admiralty numbers are from volume M of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.


Tappi Saki Light, Sotogahama, May 2021
Google Maps photo by Ken Tanoue

General Sources
Lighthouses in Japan - Aomori
A site providing photos and data for most major Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouse-Japan.com - Aomori
Another comprehensive site with photos and notes from visits to many lighthouses.
Form of a Lighthouse - Aomori Prefecture
This web site, cited below as FOAL, has photos for many lighthouses in Aomori.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour -Aomori
Photos and brief notes in English for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Second Region Lighthouse Story
Posted by the Coast Guard region office in Aomori, an interactive map linking to information on the major lighthouses.
Lighthouses in Aomori Prefecture
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
Online List of Lights - Japan
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Photos for Aomori are by Jim Smith.
 

Torii Saki Light, Fukaura, June 2021
Google Maps photo by Satoru Inomata
 

Sea of Japan Lighthouses

Fukaura Town Lighthouses
* Iwasaki Kō (Sawabe Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater pier of Sawabe harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-190; JCG-1424; Admiralty M7055.14; NGA 3648.
Kyuroku Shima
1959. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 8 s. 19 m (62 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Hideyuki Komai has a photo, another photo and a third photo are available, but the reef is not visible in Google's satellite view. Located on an exposed, rocky reef in the Sea of Japan about 45 km (28 mi) west of Iwasaki. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1073; JCG-1426; Admiralty M7055.2; NGA 3640.
* Henashi Saki
1941. Active; focal plane 68 m (223 ft); white flash every 10 s. 24 m (79 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story equipment building. 2nd order (?) Fresnel lens in use. Entire lighthouse painted white. A 2022 photo is at right, Yuuki Sato has a 2021 photo, FOAL's page has good photos, Lighthouses-Japan.com also has a photo, the oCast Guard Second District has a photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This lighthouse marks a prominent cape about 100 km (60 mi) southwest of the Tsugaru Strait. Located on the point of the cape, south of the village of Henashi and about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Iwasaki. Accessible by road and a short walk, but the entrance is poorly marked and no parking is provided. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-104; JCG-1425; Admiralty M7055; NGA 3652.
Fukaura West Breakwater
1981. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. A very distant view, a view from shore (last photo on the page), and a 2021 drone view are available, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the north head of the detached west breakwater at Fukaura. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1052; JCG-1429; Admiralty M7054.4; NGA 3658.
Fukaura East (Outer) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A very distant view, a view from shore (last photo on the page), and a 2021 drone view are available, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the north head of the detached east breakwater at Fukaura. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1054; JCG-1428; Admiralty M7054; NGA 3660.

Henashi Saki Light, Fukaura, July 2022
Instagram photo by myurionpapa
* Torii Saki
1966. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower with two galleries, mounted atop a square 1-story concrete equipment room. No lantern. The lighthouse also has a continuous white spotlight illuminating an offshore reef. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. Satoru Inomata's 2021 photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, FOAL's page has many photos, Misty's Tour has two good closeup photos, a distant view and a sunset view are available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The lighthouse stands on a large rock just offshore, connected to the mainland by a long concrete walkway. Located at a turning point of the coast about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of Henashi Saki. Accessible by a short walk from the harbor, where parking is available. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-674; JCG-1430 (main light) and 1431 (spotlight); Admiralty M7053.8; NGA 3664.
* Ōtose (Odose) Saki
1962. Active; focal plane 54 m (177 ft); white flash every 12 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. A 2024 photo is at right, FOAL's page has many photos, Lighthouses of Japan also has a page for the lighthouse, the Coast Guard has a photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on a bluff at a promontory about 25 km (15 mi) west of Ajigasawa. Accessible by road; parking provided. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-470; JCG-1432; Admiralty M7053.6; NGA 3668.

Ajigasawa Town Lighthouses
* Ajigasawa (Azigasawa) Kō (West Breakwater)
1938. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Google has a satellite view. Located on the outer breakwater at Ajigasawa. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1051; JCG-1433; Admiralty M7052; NGA 3672.
* Ajigasawa (Azigasawa) East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the east breakwater at Ajigasawa. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-1434; Admiralty M7052.5; NGA 3676.

Goshogawara City Lighthouse
* Jūsan Kō South Jetty
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. A 2022 photo and a closeup street view are available and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. The Iwaki River, the longest river of Aomori Prefecture, drains into a lagoon (Lake Jūsan) which is connected to the sea through a narrow inlet called Mitoguchi. Located on the short jetty on the south side of the inlet. Accessible by walking the jetty. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1064; JCG-1435; Admiralty M7048; NGA 3680.

Ōtose Saki Light, Fukaura, April 2024
Instagram photo by atsem758

Nakadomari Town Lighthouses
Kodomari Misaki South
1965. Active; focal plane 78 m (256 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a small 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse painted white. A 2021 photo is at right, a 2022 photo and a closeup photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. Kodomari Misaki is a mountainous peninsula that projects about 5 km (3 mi) into the Sea of Japan, threatening the southwestern approach to Tsugaru Strait. Located on the point of the cape, about 7 km (4.5 mi) west of Kodomari. It's possible for a determined lighthouse fan to reach the lighthouse by walking from the end of the coastal road west of Shirowamisaki, scrambling along a rocky beach, and climbing a very long stairway to the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-281; JCG-1437; Admiralty M6673; NGA 3688.
Kodomari Misaki North
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post rising from a square 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse painted white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, a 2019 photo is available, Takeshi Yamada has a 2021 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the northwestern point of the Kodomari Misaki peninsula. The Lighthouse-Japan webmaster was able to reach the lighthouse by a rather strenuous 5 km (3 mi) trail from the Kodomari fishing port. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-788; JCG-1438; Admiralty M6672; NGA 3692.
* Kodomari Kō North Breakwater (2)
Date unknown (1975?) (station established 1935). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) concrete post centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. FOAL has another 2011 photo (lower right on the page), and Google has a satellite view. The light was relocated when the breakwater was extended in 2015. Located near the end of the long north (really west) breakwater of Kodomari, in the lee of Kodomari Misaki. Accessible by walking the pier (a half-mile walk). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1068; JCG-1439; Admiralty M6668; NGA 3696.
#Kodomari Kō East Breakwater
1975. Removed in 2014. This was an 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post centered on a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse was white. FOAL has another photo (secoind row, left) and Google has a May 2014 street view, but Google's 2023 street view and satellite view confirms the removal. The light became redundant when the harbor was expanded; it was deactivated in September 2014. Located on the east inner breakwater of Kodomari. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1067; ex-JCG-1440; ex-Admiralty M6670; ex-NGA 3700.

Kodomari Misaki South Light, Nakadomari, May 2021
Instagram photo by todai_oshiro

Western Tsugaru Strait Lighthouses

Western Sotogahama Town (Minmaya) Lighthouses
* Tappi Saki
1932. Active; focal plane 119 m (390 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery mounted atop a 2-story crew quarters building. The lighthouse has what appears to be a 2nd order Fresnel lens. Entire lighthouse painted white. Ken Tanoue's 2021 photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Souzou Cotory has a 2007 closeup, Misty's Tour has photos, FOAL's page has additional photos, Trabas has Smith's distant view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This lighthouse and the Shirakami Misaki Light at the southernmost tip of Hokkaidō light the western entrance to Tsugaru Strait. The opening is about 19 km (12 mi) wide, well within the 50 km (31 mi) range of this powerful lighthouse. The lighthouse also serves as a signal and traffic control station for shipping through the strait. Located on the point of the cape, about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Minmaya. Accessible by road; ample parking provided. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Tsugaru Quasi-National Park. . ARLHS JPN-627; JCG-1501; Admiralty M6662; NGA 3704.
* Minmaya Kō
1935. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted red. FOAL's page has photos, Matsumoto-Pota Masa has a view from the sea, a distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the outer breakwater at Minmaya, a small port about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Tappi Saki. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1074; JCG-1502; Admiralty M6658; NGA 3708.

Imabetsu Town Lighthouses
* Takano Saki (2)
Around 2004 (station established 1966). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Masahiro Yamada has the 2022 photo at right, a 2017 photo is available, FOAL's page has photos, Trabas has Smith's distant view, and Google has a satellite view and a closeup street view. The Lighthouse of Japan photo and the Misty's Tour photo (the latter taken in 2002) show the original lighthouse. This lighthouse guides ships toward the entrance from Tsugaru Strait into Aomori Bay. The cape is a very popular vantage point commanding a wide view of the strait. Located on a promontory about 7 km (4.5 mi) northwest of Tairadate. Accessible by road; parking is available. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Tsugaru Quasi-National Park. . ARLHS JPN-617; JCG-1503; Admiralty M6657; NGA 3712.

Takano Saki Light, Imabetsu, April 2022
Google Maps photo by Masahiro Yamada

Mutsu Bay Lighthouses

Mutsu Bay is a butterfly-shaped bay roughly 40 km (25 mi) long from west to east. At its northwestern corner the bay is connected to Tsugaru Strait by the 10 km (6 mi) wide Tairadate Strait. On its south side the mountainous Natsudomari Peninsula separates Mutsu Bay into its eastern and western basins. The western basin is called Aomori Bay and the eastern basin is called Noheji Bay.

Eastern Sotogahama Town (Kanita) Lighthouses
* Tairadate (Myojin Saki)
1899. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); white flash every 5 s. 22 m (72 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Modern 1-story keeper's house. T. Sato's 2021 photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with excellent photos, FOAL's page has photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, a 2021 photo and a 2013 photo are available, Trabas has Smith's distant view, and Google has a 2023 street view and a satellite view. Tairadate is a port on the west side of the entrance to Mutsu Bay. Located on Myojin Saki, a point of land on the north side of the town of Tairadate. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-800; JCG-1504; Admiralty M6654; NGA 3716.
* Tairadate Kō
1966. Active; focal plane 9.5 m (31 ft); green flash every 8 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post rising from one corner of a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. FOAL's page has photos and Google has a distant street view and a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the "east" (really south) breakwater of Tairadate harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1095; JCG-1505; Admiralty M6656; NGA 3720.
* Kanita Kō
1967. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. FOAL's page has photos, a 2020 closeup is available, Trabas has Smith's distant view, a drone view is available, and Google has a street view across the harbor and a satellite view. The Admiralty misspells the name as Kaniata. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Kanita harbor in Sotogahama, on the west side of Mutsu Bay about 25 km (15 mi) north of Aomori. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1066; JCG-1506; Admiralty M6651; NGA 3724.

Aomori City Lighthouses
#Aomori Kō Timber Port West Breakwater
1968. Inactive since 2012 and removed thereafter. This was an 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse was red. Google has a street view confirming the removal and a satellite view of the location. Formerly located on a breakwater on the west side of Aomori harbor. Site open. ex-JCG-1508; ex-Admiralty M6650; ex-NGA 3730.


Tairadate Light, Sotogahama, October 2021
Google Maps photo by T Sato

#Aomori Okidate Wharf West Breakwater
Date unknown. Removed in 2019. This was a 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. Jim Smith has a 2016 photo of the former light and FOAL has 2012 and 2016 photos (bottom of the page). Google's satellite view shows that the light was removed and Satoru Inomata's 2021 street view does not show a light on the breakwater. Located on the west breakwater protecting the ferry terminal in Aomori harbor. Site and tower closed, but there's a good view from ferries. ex-JCG-1512.5; ex-Admiralty M6648; ex-NGA 3731.
Aomori Port Aburakawa North Breakwater East End
2019. Active; focal plane 12 m (41 ft); red flash every 4 s. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. FOAL has 2019 photos (top of the page), and Google has a satellite view. This light is the replacement for the Okidate Wharf West Breakwater Light (previous entry); NGA has the new location but still calls it the West Breakwater light. Located at the east end of a detached breakwater at the entrance to Aomori harbor. Accessible only by boat. JCG-1512.5; Admiralty M6648; NGA 3731.
 
* Aomori Kō (Breakwater West)
1961. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 3 s. 12 m (39 ft) round broadly conical tower with lantern and gallery; the lantern has a sharply peaked roof that continues the conical profile of the structire. Entire lighthouse covered with white tiles. Yukihiro Matsumura's 2024 photo is at right, Trabas has Smith's photo, Sophiep Tran has a closeup photo, a 2016 closeup photo and a view from across the harbor are available, Satoru Inomata has a closeup 2021 street view, and Google has a satellite view. This unusual lighthouse is a landmark in Aomori harbor, the departure point for ferries crossing Tsugaru Strait to Hokkaidō. The Japanese name translates as "breakwater west lighthouse" and the light seems to be known locally as the West Lighthouse (西灯台), but NGA lists it as "north breakwater, north head." (Aomori has half a dozen breakwaters, so perhaps some confusion is inevitable.) Accessible by walking the breakwater; Kudō Shiai has a photo showing the approach from a waterfront park. Site and tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-1050; JCG-1522; Admiralty M6646; NGA 3731.5.
Aomori Kō East Breakwater West End
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted white. Trabas has Smith's photo, FOAL has a photo (halfway down the page) and Google has a satellite view and a very distant street view. Located at the west end of the detached breakwater protecting the eastern part of Aomori harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. JCG-1520; Admiralty M6647.5; NGA 3734.

West Breakwater Light, September 2024
Instagram photo by Yukihiro Matsumura

Hiranai Town Lighthouses
These lighthouses are on the Natsudomari Peninsula, the northern end of the Ōu Mountains. The peninsula separates Mutsu Bay into its eastern and western basins.
Moura Kō Breakwater
2000. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft)); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A 2020 photo is available and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the end of the north breakwater at Moura Kō about 13 km (8 mi) northeast of Aomori. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1075; JCG-1530; Admiralty M6643.5; NGA 3740.
Mutsu (Mutu) Ōshima
1949. Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white flash every 7 s. 10 m (33 ft) concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A 2022 photo is at right, Yasuko Hirata has a 2018 closeup photo, a 2022 closeup is available, Wikimedia has a 2018 photo, Don Boyd has a 1965 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on Mutsu Ōshima, a small island off the tip of the Natsudomari Peninsula, about 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Aomori. The island is connected to the mainland by a footbridge, and a trail leads to the lighthouse, but one visitor found the trail to be overgrown and difficult to follow. Site status unknown. . ARLHS JPN-382; JCG-1531; Admiralty M6643; NGA 3760.
* Yasui Saki
1949. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 12 m (39 ft) robust square concrete tower with lantern and a castellated gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Takayuki Fujiwara's 2022 photo is below right, a nice 2018 photo and a 2019 closeup photo are available and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This is a very unusual design. Located on a promontory in Higashidaki on the west side of East Mutsu Bay about 5 km (3 mi) north of Hiranai. Accessible by road, but no parking is provided at the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-754; JCG-1533; Admiralty M6642; NGA 3768.

Mutsu Ōshima Light, Hiranai, May 2022
Google Maps photo by Quappi S.

Noheji Town Lighthouse
Noheji Kō
1954. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. T. Sato posted a 2012 photo and Google has a distant street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Noheji, a port at the south end of Noheji Bay. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1078; JCG-1535; Admiralty M6641; NGA 3780.

Southern Mutsu City (Shimokita Peninsula) Lighthouses
Occupying the northeastern corner of Honshū, the Shimokita Peninsula is shaped like an ax being swung to the west. The peninsula is connected to the rest of Honshū by a narrow isthmus (the ax handle) along the east side of Mutsu Bay.

Ominato Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red light occulting once every 4 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) concrete post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. A 2013 photo is available and Google has a distant satellite view. Located on the east (main) breakwater protecting the entrance to Ominato, the harbor district of Mutsu City, at the extreme northeastern corner of Mutsu Bay. Site and tower closed, although the light can be seen from nearby. ARLHS JPN-1087; JCG-1538; Admiralty M6640.2; NGA 3802.

Noheji Kō Light, Noheji, May 2022
Google Maps photo by Takayuki Fujiwara

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Southern Hokkaidō | East: Eastern Aomori | Southwest: Akita

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted August 15, 2006. Checked and revised October 12, 2024 Lighthouses: 28. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.