Lighthouses of Japan: Nanpō Islands

The Nanpō Islands (Nanpō Shotō, "Southern Islands") is a name for all the islands administered by Japan south of the main Japanese islands. Most of them form an archipelago of volcanic islands stretching some 1200 km (750 mi) southward from Tōkyō Bay. The chain includes three main groups of islands: the Izu Islands in the north, the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands to the south, and the Kazan (Volcano) Islands in the far south. For administrative purposes all the islands are under the government of the Tōkyō Metropolis, one of the 47 prefectures into which Japan is divided.

The Izu Islands have a permanent population of about 25,000. Izu Ōshima, the largest of the islands, is also the northernmost. Several of the islands, including Izu Ōshima, have had recent volcanic activity, and one of them, Miyakejima, was evacuated from 2000 to 2005 due to an ongoing eruption. Despite these dangers the islands are popular tourist destinations accessible by ferry from Tōkyō and from Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture. The islands include many units of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

The Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands are located well to the south, 1000 km (620 mi) south of Tōkyō. The Ogasawara Islands were actually settled by American and British sailors starting about 1830 but they were annexed by Japan in 1876. After World War II they were administered by the U.S. from 1945 to 1968, when they were returned to Japanese control. Two of the islands, Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, are inhabited. There is no airport; access to the islands is by a ship that sails weekly from Tōkyō.

The Kazan (Volcano) Islands are located even farther south; they include Iwo Jima, the site of the famous World War II battle. Annexed by Japan in 1891, they were also administered by the U.S. from 1945 to 1968, when they were returned to Japanese control. They are uninhabited except for the staff of a Japanese air base.

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. Lighthouses in the Islands are the responsibility of the Coast Guard's office at Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. JP 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.

General Sources
Lighthouses in Japan - Tōkyō
A site providing photos and data for most major Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouses-Japan.com - Tōkyō
Another comprehensive site with photos and notes from visits to many lighthouses.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour - Tōkyō
Photos and a few notes for lighthouses in all parts of the country.
Form of a Lighthouse - Tōkyō
Another site with many photos of Japanese lighthouses.
Lighthouses in Tokyo
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
Online List of Lights - Japan
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas.
Navionics Charts
Navigation chart of the islands.

Ryūō Saki Light
Ryūō Saki Light, Izu Ōshima, January 2013
Creative Commons photo by Otabito

Ōshima Subprefecture Lighthouses

Izu Ōshima Town Lighthouses
Izu Ōshima is the largest and northernmost of the islands, lying in the mouth of Sagami Bay and visible from many points on the mainland. With a permanent population of about 8600, the island is a popular resort. It is accessible by air from Tōkyō and by ferry from Tōkyō and from Atami in Shizuoka prefecture. Mount Mihara, the active volcano on the island, had a major eruption in 1986 and was last active in 1990.
Izu Ōshima (Kazahaya Saki) (2)
1926 (station established 1915). Active; focal plane 103 m (338 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse painted white. Takizawa Yasushi has a 2022 photo, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with photos from a 2020 visit, Misty's Tour has a photo, Tomio Tatsumi has a 1987 photo, and Google has a satellite view of the station. The original lighthouse was replaced after being damaged by the great Tōkyō earthquake of 1923. Michel Forand has postcard views of the original and present lighthouses; a third postcard shows bracing on the first lighthouse after the earthquake. The building is now used as a scientific research station. The lighthouse is built high on Kazahaya Saki, a promontory at the northern tip of the island, 25 km (15 mi) east of the Shizuoka coast; there's a great photo of the lighthouse with the mainland and Mount Fuji in the background. Accessible by a moderately strenuous hike, but some local guidance may be needed. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-199; JCG-3201; Admiralty M6282; NGA 5476.
* Okada Kō (2)
Date unknown (station established 1939). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 8 s. 10 m (33 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with a domed top. Entire lighthouse is at white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Konishi Takashi has a 2016 photo, and Google has a satellite view and a very distant street view. The original lighthouse was a round cylindrical concrete tower. Located at the end of the breakwater quay at Okada, the ferry terminal for boats arriving at Izu Ōshima from Tōkyō, about 3 km (2 mi) east of the Izu Ōshima lighthouse. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-478; JCG-3202; Admiralty M6284; NGA 5480.
* Ryūō Saki (2)
1997 (station established 1951). Active; focal plane 67 m (220 ft); white flash every 12 s. 14 m (46 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with a good photo, Misty's Tour has two photos, one a closeup, a 2018 photo is available, A. Hatoyama has a closeup street view, and Google has a satellite view. Takehiro Sekeguchi's photo shows the lighthouse freshly painted in 2013. Lighthouses in Japan has a page with the original lighthouse, an 11.5 m (38 ft) concrete post light mounted at one corner of a square 1-1/2 story concrete equipment shelter. This lighthouse is described as having a focal plane of 14 m (46 ft), placing it near the coast. The Japanese text says, "The picture was before the renovation." Located at the southern tip of Izu Ōshima. Accessible by a short hike uphill from the village of Habuminato, but some local guidance may be needed; the entrance is poorly marked. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-516; JCG-3203; Admiralty M6280; NGA 5488.

Okada Kō Light, Izu Ōshima, May 2020
Google Maps photo by Miyoshi souvenir shop
* Habu Kō Jetty
2010. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view and a closeup street view. Located at the end of the new jetty on the east side of the entrance to the harbor of Habu Kō, a port at the foot of the cape of Ryūō Saki. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3206.2; Admiralty M6281.7; NGA 5486.
* Motomachi (Motomati) Kō
1953. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower; the light is displayed from a short post atop the tower. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos and Google has a distant street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the jetty at Motomachi, a ferry port on the west coast of Izu Ōshima. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1465; JCG-3207; Admiralty M6286; NGA 5500.

To Shima (Toshima) Village Lighthouses
Toshima is a small island north of Nii Shima and about 18 km (11 mi) southwest of Izu Ōshima. The island has a permanent population of about 330.

*
To Shima (Toshima)
1982. Active; focal plane 66 m (217 ft); white flash every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouses of Japan has a page with photos and Google has a satellite view. Located on a steep slope above the town at the northern end of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-651; JCG-3208; Admiralty M6273.5; NGA 5552.
* To Shima (Toshima) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted red. A 2021 photo is available, Masaki Sasaki has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the east pier at To Shima village, on the north side of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3207.9; Admiralty M6273.55.

Nii Shima (Niijima) Village Lighthouses
Niijima is located south southwest of Izu Ōshima. With a permanent population of about 2700, the island is smaller and not as well known as Izu Ōshima. It is accessible by air from Tōkyō and ferries from Tōkyō to Izu Ōshima continue on to Niijima. It is also accessible by ferry from Shimoda in Shizuoka prefecture. The island's volcano, Mount Mukai, last eripted in the 9th century.

Nii Shima (Niijima) (Kando Hana)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 101 m (331 ft); white flash every 8 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story equipment building. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. Located on the southern tip of Nii Shima. Site and tower closed; the lighthouse is on a military base. . ARLHS JPN-412; JCG-3209; Admiralty M6272; NGA 5556.
* Niishima (Niijima) Kō
1990. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical tower with a flared top. Entire lighthouse painted red. Konishi Takashi has a photo, Keiji Kawamura has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the jetty at Niishima Kō, the port of Nii Shima, on the west side of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-415; JCG-3208.5; Admiralty M6272.5; NGA 5558.
 

To Shima Light, To Shima
Japanese Coast Guard photo
 

Niijima Village: Shikine Shima (Shikinejima) Lighthouses
Located about 5 km (3 mi) west of the southern tip of Nii Shima, Shikinejima has a permanent population of about 600. The island is part of Niijima Village.
* Nobushi (Nobusi) Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal concrete tower with gallery. Entire lighthouse painted red. Masao Saito has a photo, Mitsunori Kouhori has a 2023 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the jetty at Nobusi Kō, a port on the north side of Shikine Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-424; JCG-3209.8; Admiralty M6272.8; NGA 5562.
* Shikine Shima Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12m (39 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower, rising from a 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Shigeo Kosugi has a photo, a 2022 photo is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the jetty on the south side of Shikine Shima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1470; JCG-3210; Admiralty M6273; NGA 5560.

Kōzu Shima (Kōzushima) Village Lighthouses
Located about 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Nii Shima, Kōzu Shima is about 5 km (3 mi) in diameter and has a permanent population of about 1900. The volcano on the island, Mount Tenjō, last erupted in 838.

*
Kōzushima Kō (2)
Date unknown (station established 1970). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 10 m (30 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a street view and a satellite view. A 2007 distant view shows the original light, a round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Located at the end of the jetty at Kōzushima Kō, a port on the west side of Kōzu Shima. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3211; Admiralty M6274.4; NGA 5568.
* Kōzu Shima (Ichinokubi Saki)
1951. Active; focal plane 121 m (397 ft); flash every 12 s, white or red depending on direction. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. T. Otsubo's photo is at right, a 2022 photo is available, Neo Taso has a good 2019 photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the southwestern tip of Kōzu Shima. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-280; JCG-3212; Admiralty M6274; NGA 5564.

Kōzu Shima Light, Kōzu Shima, September 2018
Google Maps photo by T. Otsubo

Miyake Subprefecture Lighthouses

Miyake Village (Miyakejima) Lighthouses
Miyakejima is an actively volcanic island about 32 km (20 mi) southeast of Nii Shima. The volcano, Mount Oyama, has had major eruptions roughly every 20 years or so. Despite the danger of eruptions, the island has a permanent population of about 2900. Eruptions forced everyone from the island in 2000, but residents were allowed to return in 2005. Air service from Tōkyō was resumed in April 2008 and the island is also accessible by overnight ferry from Tōkyō.
* Izu Misaki
1909. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A photo is at right, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with good photos, Rebecca Lowson has a closeup photo, a 2018 photo and a 2021 photo are available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This little lighthouse, built of roughly cut stone blocks, is a throwback to a nearly-vanished era of Japanese lighthouse history. The photo at right shows former keepers and their descendents celebrating the 100th anniversary of the lighthouse on 1 June 2009. Located at the northwestern tip of Miyakejima. Parking provided. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-198; JCG-3213; Admiralty M6276; NGA 4920.
* [Yunohama Kō]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 6 s on, 2 s off. 8 m (26 ft) post attached to a small equipment cabinet. Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located on the breakwater of a small port on the north coast of Miyakejima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1477; JCG-3213.5; Admiralty M6275.5; NGA 4922.
* Satado Misaki
1954. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 15 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, formerly attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, Yoichiro Fujiwara has a 2020 photo, another 2020 photo shows a rainbow over the lighthouse, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. The attached building was removed sometime after 2011; a bank of solar panels now occupies its location. Located on a bluff on the east side of Miyakejima. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be viewed from outside the fence. . ARLHS JPN-540; JCG-3214; Admiralty M6275; NGA 4924.
* Izu Miyake (Miike) Kō
1969. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 3 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A 2021 photo is available and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the jetty at the Miyake ferry harbor, a short distance south of the Satado Misaki lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1462; JCG-3215; Admiralty M6276.1; NGA 4928.
* Tsubota Kō
1963. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); green flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top, attached to a small concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is white. Kohei Moro has a photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the main breakwater of Tsubota, a small port on the southeast coast of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. JCG-3216; Admiralty M6276.4; NGA 4932.

Izu Misaki Light, Miyakejima, June 2009
Japanese Coast Guard Shimoda Office photo
#Ako Kō
1963. Inactive since 2012 and subsequently demolished. This was an 8.5 m (28 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse was white. Google has a satellite view of the former location. This light was removed in 1987 when the harbor was rebuilt. Deactivated pierhead lights in Japan are usually demolished. Formerly located on a spur of the north jetty at Ako harbor, on the southwest side of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ex-JCG-3218; ex-Admiralty M6276.2; ex-NGA 4936.
* Ako Kō Outer Breakwater
1987. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10 m (28 ft) round concrete tower with a flared top. Entire lighthouse is white. Anna Orlova has a 2020 closeup photo, Hiroshi Maruyama has a view from the sea, Zakianatei Colocchi has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the main breakwater at Ako harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3218.2; Admiralty M6276.3; NGA 4938.

Mikurajima Village Lighthouses
Located about18 km (11 mi) south of Miyakejima, Mikurajima is a small island with a permanent population of about 300.

*
Mikurashima (Mikurajima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 4 s. 7 m (23 ft) octagonal pyramidal concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is red. Fuyuhito Honda has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the end of the Mikurajima jetty, near the northern tip of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3218.6; Admiralty M6276.6; NGA 4939.

Hachijō Subprefecture Lighthouses

Hachijō Town (Hachijōjima) Lighthouses
Hachijōjima is an island about 300 km (190 mi) south of Tōkyō and about 100 km (62 mi) south southeast of Miyakejima. This is one of the most populous of the islands, with a population of about 8600. It is accessible by air or by overnight ferry from Tōkyō. The Nishiyama volcano on the island is listed as active although its last eruption was in 1625.
* Ōgoshi (Ōgosi) Hana
1961. Active; focal plane 99 m (325 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 15 m (49 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Katagawa Chengri has a closeup 2022 photo, Kourosh Meshgi has a 2018 photo, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, Hirohiro Akabane has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view and a street view from a nearby observation deck. Located on the northwestern tip of the island. Accessible by road; parking available. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-452; JCG-3219; Admiralty M6279.6; NGA 4940.
* Kaminato Kō (1)
1990. Inactive since 2016. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with flared top. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view. The breakwater has been extended and the active light (focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off) is on a post at the end of the extension. The older light was not demolished; Google has a distant 2019 street view showing both lights. Located on the breakwater at the traditional fishing harbor of Kaminato, on the northeast side of Hachijōjima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-217. Active light: JCG-3221; Admiralty M6278.1; NGA 4948.
* Sokodo Kō (Kaminato Kō South)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 3 s. 10.5 m (35 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with flared top. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the end of the ferry pier at the newer south port of Kaminato, about 1.6 km (1 mi) southeast of the older light. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3221.3; Admiralty M6278.5; NGA 4950.
* Ishizumiga Hana (Hachijōjima)
1951. Active; focal plane 96 m (315 ft); white flash every 10 s. 17 m (56 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the center of a 1-story square concrete keeper's house. Entire lighthouse is white. Hirohiro Akabane's photo is at right, Masa Tana has a 2018 photo, a 2021 photo is available, Lighthouse-Japan.com has a page with several photos, Hirouki Oonuki has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a bluff at the southeastern end of Hachijōjima. Site open, tower closed except for occasional open house days. . ARLHS JPN-090; JCG-3222; Admiralty M6277; NGA 4952.
#Yaene Kō (1)
1975. Inactive since 2015 and subsequently demolished. This was a 9 m (30 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower. Entire lighthouse was white. Google has a 2013 street view. The active light (focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off) is now on a simple post; Google has a satellite view. The old lighthouse had a distinct lean, apparently caused by damage from a typhoon. Located at the end of the jetty at Yaene Kō, a sheltered harbor on the southwest side of Hachijōjima. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-743. Active light: JCG-3223; Admiralty M6277.4; NGA 4956.
Hachijōjima Light
Ishizumiga Hana Light, Hachijōjima, August 2007
Flickr Creative Commons photo by Hirohiro Akabane

Ogasawara Subprefecture (Ogasawara Village) Lighthouses

Chichi Jima Lighthouses
The largest of the Ogasawara Islands, Chichi Jima has a permanent population of about 2000. The population was removed during World War II and only returned after the islands were ceded back to Japan by the U.S. in 1968. The harbor facilities had to be rebuilt after being destroyed by a tsunami in 1960.
Hutami (Futami) Kō (Chichi Jima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 70 m (230 ft); white flash every 4 s; also a continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower with gallery. Yukihiro Matsumura's 2023 photo is at right, Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a hill behind the harbor of Futami, the main town of Chichi Jima. Accessible by a hike of about one hour, but local guidance may be needed. Site status unknown. . ARLHS OGA-001; JCG-3227 (flashing light) and 3228 (directional light); Admiralty M8346; NGA 4964 (flashing light) and 4968 (directional light).
* Hutami (Futami) Kō (Chichi Jima) Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green light occulting once every 8 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round cylindrical white fiberglass tower. A closeup and a 2018 photo are available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater at the entrance to Hutami harbor. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. . JCG-3226; Admiralty M8348; NGA 4960.

Haha Jima Lighthouses
Located about 50 km (30 mi) south of Chichi Jima, Haha Jima has a population of less than 500. In Japanese, Chichi Jima and Haha Jima mean "Father Island" and "Mother Island," respectively.

*
Oki Kō Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); green flash every 3 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater at Oki Kō, the port of Haha Jima, near the southern tip of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. . JCG-3229.3; Admiralty M8351; NGA 4974.
Haha Jima (Oki Kō) Leading
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical white concrete tower. Google has a distant street view and a good satellite view. Located on a steep bluff on the east side of the harbor entrance, on the southwestern side of the island. Site status unknown. ARLHS OGA-002; JCG-3229; Admiralty M8350; NGA 4972.

Hutami Light, Chichi Jima, May 2023
Instagram photo by Yukihiro Matsumura

Iō Tō (Iwo Jima, Iōjima) Lighthouse
Kita Iō Tō (Iwo Jima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 112 m (367 ft); flashing light, alternating white and green. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) square cylindrical airport control tower, attached to a 2-story administration building. Wikipedia has a closeup (also seen at right) and Google has a satellite view. The island is famous as the setting of the Battle of Iwo Jima in February and March 1945. Iō Tō has since reclaimed its prewar spelling and pronunciation. It is one of the remote Kazan (Volcano) Islands, located 1200 km (750 mi) south of Tōkyō. The civilian population of the island was evacuated at the start of World War II. The island now has no permanent inhabitants but is a strategic military base. In general the Directory does not list airport beacons but this one is well established as a navigational aid. The name Iwo Jima means "sulphur island." Located at the Iō Tō air base, built by the U.S. and now operated by Japan. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3230; Admiralty M8360; NGA 4976.

Okino Tori Shima (Parece Vela) Lighthouse
Okino Tori Shima (Okinotorishima)
2007. Active; focal plane about 22 m (72 ft); white flash every 8 s. Post carrying an LED light and attached to a 1-story fiberglass equipment cabinet, mounted on the roof of a 3-story crew building supported by piles. An aerial photo is available and Google has a satellite view. Okinotorishima ("Distant Bird Island") is an isolated atoll, awash at high tide, located in the Philippine Sea 567 km (352 mi) west southwest of Iō Tō or roughly 1700 km (1060 mi) south southwest of Tōkyō and 1100 km (690 mi) southeast of Okinawa. The reef was formerly known in the West by its Spanish name Parece Vela ("resembles a candle"); it was discovered by Spanish navigators in 1565 and later rediscovered by British navigators. Japan annexed the atoll in 1931. Since 1988 there has been a scientific research station on a large platform inside the atoll; this facility has had to be repaired several times due to damage from typhoons, which are very frequent in this area. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. JCG-3240; Admiralty M8362.

Minami Tori Shima (Marcus Island) Lighthouse
Minami Tori Shima (Minamitorishima)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; white light, pattern unknown. Square white skeletal tower. No photo available but Google has a satellite view. Minami Tori Shima ("Southern Bird Island") is a very remote coral island 1850 km (1150 mi) southeast of Tokyo and 1270 km (790 mi) east of Iō Tō. The island was sighted by the Spanish captain Andrés de Arriola in 1694 and rediscovered by a British captain in 1830 and by a U.S. captain in 1864. Japan colonized the island in 1886 and annexed it formally in 1898. The civilan population was evacuated before World War II. After the war the island was occupied by the U.S. It was returned to Japanese sovereignty in 1968, but the U.S. Coast Guard continued to operate a LORAN C navigation transmitter on the island until 1993. Japan now operates a weather station on the island and maintains a small military contingent. Site and tower closed. Not listed by JCG; Admiralty M8361.
 

Airport Light, Iō Tō, May 2010
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Revmqo
 

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Tōkyō and Kanegawa | Northwest: Eastern Shizuoka

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Posted August 30, 2006. Checked and revised July 19, 2023. Lighthouses: 32. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.