Wakkanai Lighthouse

Wakkanai Lighthouse is a white tower standing about 43 meters tall on Cape Noshappu, guiding ships through the La Pérouse Strait between Japan and Russia. The structure sits near Wakkanai Noshappu Aquarium and offers visitors views from Japan's northernmost coastal position.

The first Wakkanai Lighthouse began operating in 1900, marking the start of modern navigation aids in this region. The current structure was built in 1966 at its present location after the original site had to be abandoned due to military base construction.

The lighthouse belongs to Japan's collection of 50 notable lighthouses and represents the maritime heritage of the country's northernmost city. It reflects how shipping has shaped life in this remote coastal region.

The lighthouse sits next to Wakkanai Noshappu Aquarium and opens to visitors once yearly during Golden Week. Visitors should dress for the harsh climate of this far northern region and wear sturdy footwear when exploring the cape area.

This structure stands as the tallest lighthouse in Hokkaido and the second tallest in all of Japan, surpassed only by Hinomisaki Lighthouse in Izumo. This makes it a notable example of Japanese lighthouse engineering and construction skill from the 1960s.

Location: Wakkanai

Height: 42.7 m

Part of: 50 Lighthouses in Japan

GPS coordinates: 45.44950,141.64518

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01