Shinagawa Lighthouse

Shinagawa Lighthouse is a nine-meter brick structure with a cylindrical shape featuring a gallery, lantern, and fifth-order Fresnel lens. The construction displays the classic features of a modern navigation tower from the late 1800s.

French architect Léonce Verny designed this structure in 1870 as part of Japan's modernization program for shipping. After 87 years of active service, the tower was relocated in 1968 to Museum Meiji-mura, where it remains preserved as a monument of its era.

The lighthouse shows how Japan adopted Western building techniques during the early Meiji years and integrated them into its own coastal system. Visitors can still see the blend of French design and Japanese craftsmanship in the masonry details today.

The lighthouse now stands in Museum Meiji-mura in Inuyama and can be inspected by visitors from the outside. The museum is easily accessible and the tower is clearly visible on the grounds, so you can view its architecture from different angles.

The structure originally used a fixed red light that could alert ships up to 18 kilometers away. This range was a decisive feature for safe navigation in that coastal region.

Location: Inuyama

Inception: April 5, 1870

Architects: Léonce Verny

Height: 9 m

Made from material: brick

Address: 〒484-0000 愛知県犬山市大字内山1番地

GPS coordinates: 35.60000,139.73333

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:25