Mutsurejima Lighthouse

Mutsurejima Lighthouse is a white cylindrical structure about 10.6 meters tall, topped with a lantern and viewing platform at its summit. The building sits on a small island and serves as an active navigation aid for vessels in the area.

The lighthouse was designed and built in 1871 by Richard Henry Brunton during the Meiji era to improve safety for international ships in Japanese waters. This period was crucial for Japan's transformation into a modern maritime power.

The lighthouse shows how Japan adopted Western maritime technology during its modernization in the 19th century and integrated it into its ports. It reflects the period when the country opened itself to international shipping and trade.

The lighthouse emits white flashes every ten seconds, visible from up to about 15.5 nautical miles away. Visitors should know that the building sits on an island and may not always be easily accessible depending on tides or weather conditions.

The structure was fully automated in 1969 and no longer required human keepers after that. This modernization was an important step in maritime engineering and shows how an older nautical landmark was adapted to new technologies.