Tōmyōdō, Wooden lighthouse in Uraga, Japan.
Tōmyōdō is a wooden lighthouse on Cape Tomyozaki in Kanagawa Prefecture, positioned to overlook the entrance to Uraga Harbor. It stands on a stone foundation and has a narrow, upright form with a simple lantern room at the top.
The Edo shogunate had this navigation structure built in 1648 to guide ships safely into the harbor. It remained in use for more than two centuries before being deactivated in 1872 as Japan modernized its maritime systems.
For sailors approaching Uraga Harbor, this light was one of the first recognizable landmarks on the coast. Today, visitors come to stand on the cape and look out over the water from the same point where ships once took their bearings.
A Keikyu bus from Uraga Station stops near the site, with a short walk remaining to reach the lighthouse. The cape is open to wind and sea air, so sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing will make the visit more comfortable.
The structure visitors see today was rebuilt in 1989 on the original stone foundation, following the exact dimensions of the earlier building. This means the foundation underfoot dates to the 17th century, while the wooden tower above it is much more recent.
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