Hatsushima Lighthouse, White lighthouse on Hatsushima Island, Japan
Hatsushima Lighthouse is a white structure 16 meters tall standing on the highest point of a small island overlooking Sagami Bay. It functions as an active navigation aid for ships at sea and is part of a larger site that includes an exhibition center about maritime history.
The structure began operations in 1959 and initially had its own generator before connecting to the Tokyo power supply in 1967. This transition to regional electricity marked a shift toward modernization of the facility's operations.
The exhibition center here displays how maritime navigation works and the role lighthouses played in guiding ships safely. Visitors learn about the practical knowledge needed to keep seafarers oriented at sea.
Visitors can reach this site via a 25-minute boat ride from Atami Port followed by a 15-minute uphill walk to reach the top. The path is steep and requires good walking shoes, so plan for a moderate level of physical activity.
The structure produces alternating red and green flashes that can be seen across the bay on clear nights. This distinctive color pattern helps ships identify it among other navigation markers in the region.
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