Hanabuchi Lighthouse, Maritime navigational structure in Shichigahama, Japan.
Hanabuchi Lighthouse is a 31-meter-tall structure on the coast of Sendai Bay, built with approximately 193,000 Japanese-made bricks. The interior contains ninety-nine stairs that lead visitors up to the top of the tower.
The lighthouse was built during the early Meiji period as part of maritime safety infrastructure designed by British engineer R. H. Brunton for Japanese waters. Its construction marked a turning point in the region's modern shipping safety.
The lighthouse functions as a maritime heritage site where visitors can learn about navigation history through guided tours and museum exhibitions.
The site is best visited during clear weather, as this provides the clearest views of the bay and surrounding area. Visitors should be prepared to climb the interior stairs to reach the upper level.
The number of interior stairs was inspired by a traditional measurement system, with ninety-nine steps corresponding to the historical distance of a nearby beach. This detail connects the structure to the local geographic heritage of earlier times.
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