Japanese Lighthouse, Japanese lighthouse on Navy Hill in Garapan, Northern Mariana Islands.
The Japanese Lighthouse is a white concrete structure located on Navy Hill that rises approximately 50 feet and includes a one-story keeper's quarters topped with a copper dome. From its elevated hilltop position, the building commands views across the harbor and surrounding landscape.
Built in 1934 when Japan controlled Saipan, the lighthouse functioned as a navigation aid until American forces took the island in 1944. The structure survived the war and remains standing as a reminder of that era.
The structure demonstrates how builders worked with local materials available in the Pacific, creating a lighthouse that connected the island to maritime trade routes. Its physical presence reflects the period when this region served as an important port.
The lighthouse sits on Navy Hill and can be accessed via Fuetsa Loop road, requiring a moderate walk uphill through vegetation to reach the site. The location is straightforward to find when departing from central Garapan.
The lighthouse now operates as a coffee shop, drawing visitors who come to enjoy views of the harbor, nearby Managaha Island, and Mount Tapochao from the hilltop. This contemporary use has given the historical structure a new purpose.
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