Mizunokojima Lighthouse, Stone lighthouse in Saiki, Japan
Mizunokojima Lighthouse is a stone lighthouse standing on a small rocky island in the Bungo Channel, which connects Kyushu and Shikoku. The white structure with two black horizontal stripes rises 39 meters tall and holds the equipment that guides ships through this busy waterway.
Construction began in 1900 and proved difficult because of the remote location, before the lighthouse first operated in 1904. This early structure was part of Japan's effort to modernize its maritime technology during that period.
The lighthouse has featured in Japanese films about lighthouse keepers, which brought it wider attention and made it part of local memory. This film connection shaped how people view and talk about this place.
The lighthouse sits far offshore, so it can only be viewed from the water or from specific viewpoints on the coast. Visitors who want to see it up close need to book a boat trip or visit one of the coastal lookout spots.
During severe typhoons, waves reach extraordinary heights, with historical records showing water reaching up to the seventh floor of the structure. These extreme conditions are part of the harsh reality of this isolated post.
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