Lighthouses of Japan: Southwestern Hokkaidō

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.

Hokkaidō, the northernmost of the four main islands of Japan, is the northernmost of the four main islands of Japan. It is very roughly triangular in shape, facing northeast on the Sea of Okhotsk, southeast on the Pacific Ocean, and west on the Sea of Japan. It is separated from Honshū to the south by the Tsugaru Strait and from Russian Sakhalin to the north by the La Pérouse or Sōya Strait.

Japan is divided into 47 prefectures. The entire island of Hokkaidō forms a single prefecture, making it by far the largest of the 47. The prefecture is divided into nine administrative regions, called subprefectures in English. The subprefectures of Hokkaidō are similar in size to the prefectures in the other main islands.

This page covers lighthouses of the southwestern coast of Hokkaidō facing the Sea of Japan and including the subprefectures of Hiyama and Shiribeshi plus the embedded town of Yakumo from Oshima Subprefecture. For the most part this is a scenic but sparsely populated coast. Most of the lighthouses are accessible but rarely visited.

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. In the Ainu language indigenous to this area, shir or shiri is an island.

Lighthouses in Japan are operated and maintained by the Japanese Coast Guard's Maritime Safety Agency. The lighthouses of Hiyama and Oshima Subprefectures are managed by the Coast Guard's Hakodate Office and those of Shiribeshi Subprefecture are the responsibility of Coast Guard's Otaru Office.

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.

Kamome Shima Light
Kamome Shima Light, Esashi, April 2007
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Ozizo

General Sources
Lighthouses in Japan - Hokkaidō
Photos and data for Hokkaidō lighthouses.
Lighthouse of Japan - Hokkaidō
Another site with excellent photos and text in Japanese.
Form of a Lighthouse
Another site with many photos of lighthouses in northern Japan, cited below as FOAL.
Lighthouse Visits
Another good source of lighthouse photos.
Misty's Japanese Lighthouse Tour - Hokkaidō
Photos and brief notes in English.
Lighthouses of Japan
Photos by Jonathon Post of Selector Jonathon Photography.
Hakodate Section Lighthouses
Photos and data from the Hakodate Coast Guard Station web site..
Lighthouses in Hokkaido Prefecture
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
Online List of Lights - Japan
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Photos for this area are by Jonathon Post of Selector Jonathon Photography or by Jim Smith.
Navionics Charts
Navigation chart for southern Hokkaidō.

Inaho Misaki Light, Okushiri
travel devlopment photo posted by 4travel.jp

Southern Hiyama Subprefecture Lighthouses

The southern portion of Hiyama Subprefecture is separated from the rest by Yakumo Town, which is part of Oshima Subprefecture.

Kaminokuni Town Lighthouses
* Hikatadomari (Higatatomari) Misaki
1971. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white light occulting twice every 7 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. A photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with several fine photos, FOAL has several excellent photos, Misty's Tour has two photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Accessible by a short walk; parking is available nearby. Located on a bluff at Chiisago, about 10 km (6 mi) north of Era. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-112; JCG-0631; Admiralty M7032.4; NGA 1016.
#Hiyama Ishizaki
1957. Inactive since 2008 and demolished soon thereafter. This was a 10 m (33 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Misty's Tour has closeup photos and another closeup is available. The light was deactivated late in 2008 and Google's satellite view confirms that it has been demolished. Located on a bluff about 11 km (7 mi) south of Kaminokuni. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-130; ex-JCG-0630; ex-Admiralty M7032; ex-NGA 1020.
* Shiofuki (Siofuki) Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater of Shiofuki, a fishing port about 25 km (15 mi) south of Eshashi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-972; JCG-0629; Admiralty M7031; NGA 1024.
#Suneko Misaki
1961. Inactive since 2008 and subsequently demolished. 11 m (36 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. Misty's Tour has good photos and Google has a satellite view of the former location. The light was deactivated in November 2008 and FOAL's photos (taken in 2012) confirm its removal. The removal of this attractive lighthouse is an unfortunate loss for the village. Suneko Misaki is a prominent cape on the west side of Kaminokuni. Located on the point of the cape. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-600; ex-JCG-0628; ex-Admiralty M7030; ex-NGA 1028.
Hikatatomari Misaki Light
Hikatadomari Misaki Light, Chiisago, March 2012
ex-Panoramio photo copyright ひらさん; permission requested

Esashi Town Lighthouses
** Kamome Shima (Esashi)
1889. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); three white flashes every 13 s. 10 m (33 ft) 2-stage square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted white. This lighthouse has an old-style lantern with a very high-peaked roof. A photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with several photos, Misty's Tour has good photos, FOAL's page has additional photos, Trabas has Smith's photo, Ma Ko has a 2020 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Kamome Shima (Gull Island) is an island, shaped something like a bird in flight, that partially shelters the harbor of Esashi. The island has been connected to the mainland by a large breakwater mole. The historic (early Meiji) warship Kaiyoumaru is moored at this mole. The island is a public park with hiking trails; ample parking is provided. Located at the highest point of the island. Site open, tower closed but it possible to climb to a the lower gallery by an external stairway. . ARLHS JPN-221; JCG-0627; Admiralty M7028; NGA 1032.
Esashi West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Trabas has Smith's photo (also seen at right), FOAL has a photo (near the bottom of the page), and Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Located at the end of the west breakwater of Esashi, which extends northward from Kamome Shima. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-2629; JCG-0626; Admiralty M7029; NGA 1036.
Esashi East Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Trabas has Smith's photo, FOAL has a photo (near the bottom of the page), and Google has a satellite view and a street view across the harbor. Located at the end of a breakwater protecting the entrance to the harbor of Esashi. Site and tower closed. JCG-0624; Admiralty M7028.4; NGA 1044.

West Breakwater Light, Esashi
photo copyright Jim Smith; used by permission

Otobe Town Lighthouses
Otobe Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a sea view, a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the north (main) breakwater protecting the harbor of Otobe. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-950; JCG-0623; Admiralty M7026; NGA 1048.
Hiyama Toyohama Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); continuous green light with a more intense flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the west (main) breakwater protecting the harbor of Toyohama. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-869; JCG-0622; Admiralty M7025.4; NGA 1052.

Western Oshima Subprefecture Lighthouses

Most of Oshima Subprefecture faces east on the Pacific Ocean and south on Tsugaru Strait. Lighthouses of these coasts are described on the Southern Hokkaidō page.

Yakumo Town Lighthouses
* Ainuma Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); green light occulting once every 8 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the north (main) breakwater protecting the harbor of Ainuma harbor in Kumaishi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-841; JCG-0621; Admiralty M7025.2; NGA 1056.
* Kumaishi Kō South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); green flash every 4 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Yasushi Nakamura has a street view and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south (main) breakwater protecting the harbor of Kumaishi. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-842; JCG-0619; Admiralty M7024.4; NGA 1064.

Northern Hiyama Subprefecture Lighthouses

Okushiri Town (Okushiri Island) Lighthouses
Okushiri is a 20 km (12 mi) long island lying about 15 km (9 mi) off the coast. Accessible by air, the island has a permanent population of about 2800. The island is included in the Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park. Okushiri was devastated by a powerful earthquake and tsunami on 12 July 1993.
Okushiri Kō
Date unknown (station established 1966). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. This light has probably been relocated from the end of the original east breakwater. FOAL's page has photos and Google has a satellite view and a very distant street view. Located at the end of a detached breakwater protecting the entrance to Okushiri harbor, on the east side of the island. Accessible only by boat, but there must be good views from ferries arriving from the mainland. Site and tower closed. JCG-0614; Admiralty M7021; NGA 1088.
#Aonae Kō
1974. Deactivated and demolished in 2014. 11 m (36 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. The harbor at Aonae has been expanded considerably in recent years, making the historic lighthouse redundant. FOAL's page documents that it was gone by August 2014 and Google's satellite view also confirms the removal. The light (two green flashes every 6 s) was moved to a mast on the new South Breakwater. Formerly located at the end of the original main breakwater, now an inner breakwater. ARLHS JPN-845. Active light: JCG-0612; Admiralty M7023; NGA 1084.
* Aonae Misaki (2)
1993-94 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); white flash every 10 s. 16 m (52 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. A photo is at right, the Lighthouse of Japan page has excellent photos, FOAL's page also has photos, a 2020 closeup is available, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Aonae Misaki is the southern tip of Okushiri Shima. The original lighthouse was destroyed by the tsunami of 1993, which toppled the tower back into the adjoining building. The new lighthouse is located on a hill above the point of the cape, at the southern tip of the island. Accessible by road, but parking is limited. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-023; JCG-0611; Admiralty M7022; NGA 1080.
Murotsu Shima
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with one red horizontal band. Google has a satellite view of the lighthouse. Located on a small island, the highest point of a reef, 4.6 km (2.9 mi) south of Aonae Misaki. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-921; JCG-0613; Admiralty M7023.2; NGA 1076.
Aonae Misaki Light
Aonae Misaki Light, Okushiri, August 2008
ex-Panoramio Creative Commons photo by JH8XVH
Kamuiwaki Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); green flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. FOAL's page has good photos and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the end of a detached breakwater protecting the entrance to Kamuiwaki harbor, on the west side of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-892; JCG-0610; Admiralty M7023.3; NGA 1092.
* Inaho Misaki (2)
About 1970 (station established 1891). Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white flash every 15 s; also a continuous white spotlight (JCG-0609) illuminates a reef 1.1 km (0.7 mi) to the north. 17 m (56 ft) round lantern and watch room built on one corner of a rectangular 4-story keeper's house. The building is painted with black and white horizontal bands. A photo is at the top of this page, Lighthouse of Japan site has a page with photos, FOAL's page also has good photos, and Google has a street view and a good satellite view. Located at the northeast point of Okushiri Shima, marking the passage between the island and the mainland. Parking is available at a park and campground on the point of the cape; it's a walk of about 600 m (3/8 mi) uphill to the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-165; JCG-0608; Admiralty M7020; NGA 1096.

Setana Town Lighthouses
Ponmoshiri Misaki
1963. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); two white flashes every 8 s. 11 m (36 ft) octagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern is white. A closeup photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with good photos, Misty's Tour has a closeup, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on a steep promontory about 8 km (5 mi) west of Kumaishi. Difficult to reach without some local guidance. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-500; JCG-0617; Admiralty M7023.8; NGA 1072.
Kudō Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a distant street view. This lighthouse was relocated from the end of the south (main) breakwater to a new detached breakwater just beyond the former location. This is confirmed by Google's satellite view and distant street view. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-899; JCG-0616; Admiralty M7019.4; NGA 1104.
* Kouta Misaki
1957. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); white light occulting three times every 13 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Google has a satellite view. Accessible by a stairway, but parking is quite limited. Located on a promontory about 5 km (3 mi) west of Taisei. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-294; JCG-0615; Admiralty M7019; NGA 1100.
Ponmoshiri Misaki Light
Ponmoshiri Misaki Light, Kumaishi, August 2012
ex-Panoramio photo copyright soonzoomsoon; used by permission
Mitare Misaki (Mitare No Saki, Midareno Saki)
1958. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white flash every 5 s. 10 m (33 ft) round concrete tower attached to a small 1-story concrete equipment room. Entire lighthouse is white. A photo is at right, the Lighthouse of Japan site has a page with good photos, the Coast Guard has a small photo, Misty's Tour has a distant view, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of Kitahiyama. Difficult to access without local guidance. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-362; JCG-0607; Admiralty M7018.5; NGA 1108.
Setana Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); green light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a good sea view, a distant street view and a satellite view. The sea view was taken from a ferry arriving from Okushiri. Located at the end of the south inner breakwater protecting the harbor of Setana. Site status unknown. JCG-0606; Admiralty M7018; NGA 1112.
* Biya Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Takashi Yamauchi has a closeup street view and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at Biya, a small port about 12 km (7.5 mi) south of Cape Motta. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-0605; Admiralty M7016; NGA 1116.
* Minatonishi Breakwater (Sukki Kō)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round hourglass-shaped concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Takashi Yamauchi has a 2022 street view and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Oddly, NGA lists the lighthouse as "Suchiku Mi." Located at the end of the south breakwater at Sukki, a small port about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) south of Cape Motta. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-0604; Admiralty M7015; NGA 1120.

Mitare Misaki Light, Setana, August 2017
Google Maps photo by Zero 363

Shiribeshi Subprefecture Lighthouses

Shimamaki Town Lighthouses
* Motsuta (Motta) Misaki
1937. Active; focal plane 282 m (925 ft); two white flashes every 24 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern, gallery, and a traditional "dunce-cap" roof, attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Lighthouse painted white with a broad black horizontal band. 3rd order (?) clamshell Fresnel lens in use. A photo is at right, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Misty's Tour has excellent photos, including a closeup of the lens. Hideki Fujiwara has a 2021 drone view, Hiroshi Fukuyama has a closeup street view, and Google has a satellite view of the station. The unusual height of this powerful lighthouse gives a range of more than 65 km (40 mi). The lighthouse was restored in 2001 and the tall dunce-cap roof was apparently added at the time. At the same time the forest road to the light station was opened to the public. Lighthouses of Japan has a photo showing the original lantern dome. The station commands a spectacular view of the Sea of Japan; the island of Okushiri can be seen in fair weather. Located on a high, mountainous promontory about 16 km (10 mi) north of Setana. Accessible by a steep, winding road with grades as steep as 15.5%; 4WD and lower gears strongly recommended. The entrance is well marked. The road is closed in the winter. Site open when the road is open, tower closed but visitors can climb the external stairway to reach the lower gallery. . ARLHS JPN-916(=374); JCG-0603; Admiralty M7014; NGA 1124.
* Kimaki Misaki
1964. Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white light occulting twice every 6 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) concrete post attached to a 1-story concrete equipment room. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. Misty's Tour has several good photos, Lighthouse of Japan has a page with closeup photos, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a promontory about 20 km (13 mi) southwest of Shimamaki. The entrance road is unmarked. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-257; JCG-0602; Admiralty M7013.4; NGA 1128.
* Chihase Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located at the end of the west breakwater at Chihase, a fishing port about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of Cape Motta. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. JCG-0601.6; Admiralty M7013.2; NGA 1130.
* Honme Misaki
1962. Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small equipment room. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. Lighthouse of Japan's page has excellent photos, Misty's Tour has two good photos, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located on a steep, rocky headland about 3 km (2 mi) west of Shimamaki. There is a stairway to the lighthouse, but parking is limited in the area. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-137; JCG-0601; Admiralty M7013; NGA 1132.

Motsuta Misaki Light
Motsuta (Motta) Misaki Light, Shimamaki, September 2010
ex-Panoramio Creative Commons photo by JH8XVH


Suttsu Town Lighthouses
** Benkei Misaki
Date unknown (station established 1890). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white flash every 8 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a small 1-story concrete keeper's house. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan page has good photos, the Coast Guard has a portfolio of small photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, FOAL's page has additional photos, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This well known lighthouse stands in a park; nearby is a statue of the legendary 12th century warrior Saitō Musashibō Benkei, for whom the cape is named. Wikimedia has a photo of the statue and the lighthouse. Located on a sharp promontory about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Suttsu. Readily accessible by road and parking is provided. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-043; JCG-0600; Admiralty M7012; NGA 1136.
Daimaru Iso
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); white flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a street view and a distant satellite view. This lighthouse stands on a rock in heavy surf just off Suttsu. Site and tower closed but there is a good view from shore. ARLHS JPN-2628; JCG-0599; Admiralty M7011; NGA 1140.
Suttsu Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located at the end of the north (main) breakwater of Suttsu. Probably accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-983; JCG-0598; Admiralty M7010; NGA 1144.

Iwanai Town Lighthouse
* Iwanai Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, covered with red tiles. Himanaka Ipoco has a photo and a closeup, and Google has a satellite view and a very distant street view. Iwanai is a traditional fishing port sheltered by the Shakotan Peninsula; it is one of the largest ports of this coast, having a population of more than 15,000. Located at the end of the original west breakwater of Iwanai. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-882; JCG-0595; Admiralty M7006; NGA 1152.
Benkei Misaki Light
Benkei Misaki Light, Suttsu
Japanese Coast Guard Otaru Office photo (no longer online)

The next four towns are on the Shakotan Peninsula, a mountainous, very scenic peninsula projecting about 30 km (19 mi) into the Sea of Japan. Much of the peninsula is set aside as a national park. The coast is known for its many picturesque stone pillars standing in the sea.

Tomari Town Lighthouse
* Shiribeshi Tomari Kō
1966. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); two white flashes every 8 s; also a continuous white spotlight (JCG-0594) illuminates a nearby reef. 10 m (33 ft) post with a large semicircular lantern structure. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band. Lighthouse of Japan has good photos, Misty's Tour has a photo, FOAL has excellent photos, and Google has a satellite view. Very similar to the 1965 Haraguchi Oiwa Light (see the Southern Hokkaidō page). Located on a bluff south of the harbor of Tomari, on the south side of the Shakotan peninsula. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-580; JCG-0593; Admiralty M7005.7; NGA 1160.

Kamoenai Town Lighthouse
Kamoenai Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the end of a large breakwater pier at Kamoenai, on the south side of the Shakotan peninsula. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-888; JCG-0592; Admiralty M7005.5; NGA 1164.

Shakotan Town Lighthouses
** Kamui Misaki (2?)
1960 (station established 1888). Active; focal plane 81 m (266 ft); white flash every 15 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story equipment building. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. A photo is at right, Lighthouse of Japan has a portfolio of photos, Misty's Tour has photos and a drawing of the original lighthouse, FOAL's page has additional photos, Trabas has Smith's photo, and Google has a street view and a satellite view of the station. This cape is at the tip of a blunt, mountainous peninsula and marks the southern side of the entrance to Ishikari Wan and the important port of Otaru. The point of the cape is a knife-like volcanic ridge similar to the famous Pointe du Raz in Brittany. The scenery is spectacular and the cape is a popular tourist destination. Note: there is another Kamui Misaki lighthouse in Northern Hokkaidō. Located on the tip of the cape, about 25 km (15 mi) north of Kamoenai and a similar distance west of Shakotan. The cape is accessible by road and there is a visitor center with parking; it's a walk of about 800 m (1/2 mi) to the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-222; JCG-0590; Admiralty M7004; NGA 1172.
* Yobetsu (Raikishi) Kō
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Trabas has Smith's photo and Google has a street view and a satellite view. Located on the end of the north breakwater at the Raikishi harbor at Yobetsu, about 5 km (3 mi) east of Cape Kamui. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-1019; JCG-0588.8; Admiralty M7004.5; NGA 1178.
Kamui Misaki Light
Kamui Misaki Light, Shakotan, July 2007
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by 倶楽部オータム (Kurabu ōtamu)
** Shakotan (Syakotan) Misaki (Shakotan Demisaki)
1965. Active; focal plane 141 m (463 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small equipment room. Lighthouse painted white with one red horizontal band. Lighthouse of Japan has a page with excellent photos, a 2021 photo is available, Misty's Tour has a fine closeup, FOAL's page has additional photos, Man Tik Chu has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. This light marks the extreme northern tip of the Shakotan peninsula; demisaki means "outer cape." Located about 15 km (9 mi) northwest of Shakotan. Easily accessible by road, and a visitor center with parking is provided; it's a walk of about 500 m (0.4 mi) to the lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. . ARLHS JPN-606; JCG-0588; Admiralty M7003; NGA 1180.
#Funama (Bikuni) Kō (1)
Date unknown. Inactive since 2015 and later replaced. This was an 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse was red. Google has a very distant street view. This lighthouse was removed in October 2015; it's missing from Google's satellite view. In January 2017 the Admiralty announced a new light, an 8 m (26 ft) post attached to a small equipment cabinet (focal plane 16 m (52 ft); continuous red light with a more intense flash every 6 s). Lighthouse Visits has a photo of the new light. Located at the end of the main (east) breakwater of Funama, a small port on the central north coast of the Shakotan Peninsula and seat of the district government. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-853. New light: JCG-0587; Admiralty M7002; NGA 1184.

Furubira Town Lighthouse
Furubira
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous red light with two more intense flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Trabas has Smith's photo and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view across the harbor. Located at the end of the main (east) breakwater of Furubira, a fishing port about 5 km (3 mi) east of Funama. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-854; JCG-0586; Admiralty M7001; NGA 1188.
Shakotan Demisaki Light, Shakotan
Japanese Coast Guard Otaru Office photo (no longer online)

Otaru City Lighthouses
Otaru, a city of about 115,000 people, is the principal port of Hokkaidō's west coast and the traditional Sea of Japan port for Sapporo, the capital and largest city of Hokkaidō.
** Hiyori Yama
Date unknown (station established 1883). Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house. Entire stucture, including the keeper's house, painted with red and white horizontal bands. A photo is at right, the Lighthouse of Japan page has excellent photos, Wan-rong Jih has a fine photo, FOAL's page has additional photos, Trabas has Smith's distant view, and Google has a street view and a satellite view. This lighthouse stands at the end of a sharp promontory that shelters the harbor of Otaru. Located about 8 km (5 mi) north of the Otaru waterfront. Site open, parking available, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-131; JCG-0580; Admiralty M6996; NGA 1212.
* Shukutsu (Syukutsu) Kō (Hiyori Yama Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. FOAL has a photo (eighth row, right), another photo and a closer photo are available, Trabas has Smith's distant view, and Google has a distant street view and a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the main (east) breakwater of Shukutsu, a small port in the lee of Hiyori Yama. Accessible by walking the pier, which is popular for fishing. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-870; JCG-0579; Admiralty M6995; NGA 1216.
Takashima North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); red flash every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) post attached to a square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse is red. Trabas has Smith's photo and Google has a satellite view and a distant street view. Located on the north (main) breakwater of the Takashima harbor, just north of the main Otaru harbor. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-985; JCG-0578; Admiralty M6992; NGA 1220.

Hiyori Yama Light, Otaru, October 2021
Google Maps photo by Garden Exterior
Otaru North Auxiliary Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red light, 3 s on, 3 s off. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Trabas has Smith's photo, a 2018 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of an eastward, detached extension of the north breakwater of Otaru. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-947; JCG-0576; Admiralty M6988; NGA 1224.
Otaru South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); two green flashes every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round strongly conical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is white. The lantern is topped by a conical "dunce-cap" roof. A Coast Guard photo is at right, Trabas has Smith's photo, Vasily Fortochkin has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse has an old-fashioned conical design and is probably the oldest Otaru lighthouse. We need information on its history. Located at the end of the south breakwater of Otaru. Site status unknown. ARLHS JPN-949; JCG-0577; Admiralty M6989; NGA 1228.
Ishikari Wan (Ishikari Bay) New Port Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. Google has a satellite view. Authorized in 1970 and inaugurated in 1982, the Ishikari Bay New Port is located on the plain of the Ishikari River and provides a modern port facility for Sapporo; it was built because there was no practical way to expand port facilities at Otaru. Located at the north end of the long outer breakwater sheltering the artificial harbor of the new port. Site and tower closed. ARLHS JPN-948; JCG-0575.4; Admiralty M6981.2; NGA 1231.2.
** Ishikari Gawa (Ishikari River)
Date unknown (station established 1892). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white flash every 20 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. The Lighthouse of Japan page has good photos, a 2021 photo is available, Misty's Tour has a fine closeup, Trabas has Post's photo, FOAL's page has additional photos, Mitsuyuki Minato has a street view, and Google has a satellite view. This light was meant to mark the south side of the entrance to the Ishikari River, about 20 km (13 mi) due north of Sapporo. However, the mouth of the river has migrated about 1.5 km (1 mi) northeast of the lighthouse. Accessible by road; parking is provided and a boardwalk leads to the lighthouse and beach. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS JPN-181; JCG-0575; Admiralty M6980; NGA 1232.
Otaru South Breakwater Light
South Breakwater Light, Otaru
Japanese Coast Guard Otaru Office photo (no longer online)

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: East: Northwestern Hokkaidō | South: Southern Hokkaidō

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Posted July 10, 2006. Checked and revised May 3, 2023. Lighthouses: 46. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.