Kamishima Lighthouse

Kamishima Lighthouse is a navigation beacon on the northeast side of Kamishima Island, featuring a white-tiled exterior. The structure guides vessels through the waters of the Irago Channel and serves as an important waypoint for maritime traffic.

The lighthouse began operations in May 1910, enabling safer voyages through the challenging waters of the Toba region. This establishment marked a turning point for maritime safety in this busy shipping area.

The structure gained recognition in Japanese literature when it appeared in Yukio Mishima's novel 'The Sound of Waves', connecting the location to the region's cultural identity. This literary connection brought visitors who wanted to experience the place described in the story.

The lighthouse is freely accessible and requires about a 40-minute ferry journey from Toba port to reach Kamishima Island. Accessibility depends on ferry schedules, so it's worth checking these before your visit.

The structure ranks among Japan's top 50 lighthouses and carries the Admiralty reference number M6051 for international maritime navigation. This classification reveals its importance as one of the country's most significant beacons.