The Best of Japan's Various Lighthouses! There's a Romance Called 'Lighthouse'

Japan is a country with numerous islands, and correspondingly, it boasts an impressive number of lighthouses. Among these lighthouses, there are various designs and some are known for being the best in different aspects, attracting people to visit and capture the moment, such as the northernmost and easternmost lighthouses, the tallest lighthouses, and more. Below, we list the superlatives and information about lighthouses across Japan. Maybe, if you have the time, you can explore them for yourself!

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【First Western-Style Lighthouse】 Kannonzaki Lighthouse (観音埼灯台)

Kannonzaki Lighthouse (観音埼灯台) Information
Address: 4 Chome-1187 Kamoi, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 239-0813 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: February 11, 1869

【Oldest Stone-Built Lighthouse】 Kashinoyasaki Lighthouse (樫野埼灯台)

Kashinoyasaki Lighthouse (樫野埼灯台) Information
Address: 1006-1 Kashino, Kushimoto, Higashimuro District, Wakayama 649-3631 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: June 10, 1870

【Oldest Brick-Built Lighthouse】 Sugashima Lighthouse (菅島灯台)

Sugashima Lighthouse (菅島灯台) Information
Address: 122 Sugashimacho, Toba City, Mie Prefecture Google Map
Earliest Lighting: July 1, 1873

【Oldest Concrete Lighthouse】 Kurisaki Lighthouse (鞍埼灯台)

Kurisaki Lighthouse (鞍埼灯台) Information
Address: Oshima, Nango-cho, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture Google Map
Earliest Lighting: August 15, 1884

【Oldest Iron-Built Lighthouse】 Himesaki Lighthouse (姫埼灯台)

Himesaki Lighthouse (姫埼灯台) Information
Address: Ryotsuogawa, Sado, Niigata 952-3435 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: December 10, 1895

【Tallest Lighthouse】 Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse (出雲日御碕灯台)

1693314615 D5236537445 1 — The height from the base to the top of the lighthouse is 43.65 meters.

Izumo Hinomisaki Lighthouse (出雲日御碕灯台) Information
Address: 1478 Taishacho Hinomisaki, Izumo, Shimane 699-0763 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: April 1, 1903

【Lighthouse at the Highest Altitude】 Motsuji Cape Lighthouse (茂津多岬灯台)

1693314906 HO523671 — The lighthouse itself is not tall, but it is located on a highland in the Oshima Peninsula of Hokkaido.

Motsuji Cape Lighthouse (茂津多岬灯台) Information
Address: Sakaehama, Shimamaki, Shimamaki District, Hokkaido 048-0634 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: April 11, 1937

【Lighthouse with the Farthest and Strongest Light Beam】 Muroto Cape Lighthouse (室戸岬灯台)

Muroto Cape Lighthouse (室戸岬灯台) Information
Address: 6939 Murotomisakicho, Muroto, Kochi 781-7101 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: April 1, 1899

【Northernmost Lighthouse】 Soya Cape Lighthouse (宗谷岬灯台)

Soya Cape Lighthouse (宗谷岬灯台) Information
Address: 2-8 Soyamisaki, Wakkanai, Hokkaido 098-6758 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: September 25, 1885

【Easternmost Lighthouse】 Noshappu Cape Lighthouse (納沙布岬灯台)

Noshappu Cape Lighthouse (納沙布岬灯台) Information
Address: Nosappu, Nemuro, Hokkaido 087-0165 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: August 15, 1872

【Southernmost Lighthouse】 Okinotorishima Reef Lighthouse (沖ノ鳥島灯台)

Okinotorishima Reef Lighthouse (沖ノ鳥島灯台) Information
Address: Okinotorishima, Ogasawara, Tokyo 100-2100 Google Map
Earliest Lighting: March 16, 2007
Note: Due to Okinotorishima Reef being a military restricted area, ordinary civilians cannot enter.