Nosappumisaki Lighthouse, Maritime guidance structure at Cape Nosappu, Nemuro, Japan
Nosappumisaki Lighthouse is a white cylindrical concrete tower on Cape Nosappu in Nemuro, Hokkaido, standing 13.5 meters tall with a balcony and lantern room at the top. It sits at the far eastern tip of the peninsula, where the sea opens on almost every side.
The lighthouse was built in 1872 to a design by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton, who shaped much of Japan's early lighthouse network during the Meiji period. It was one of the first permanent navigation aids placed on this remote northern coastline.
Cape Nosappu is the easternmost point of Hokkaido, and on a clear day the islands of the Southern Kurils are visible just across the water from the lighthouse. For many Japanese visitors, standing here carries a strong sense of looking toward a place that remains a subject of national memory.
The cape and lighthouse are reachable on foot from the nearest stop, but the wind here can be strong in any season, so warm layers are worth having. Facilities on site are limited, so it is a good idea to bring anything you might need before arriving.
Nosappumisaki is the easternmost point of Japan's main island chain, which means the lighthouse is among the first places in the country to receive sunlight each morning. Every year, people gather on the cape to watch the first sunrise of the new year.
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