Izumo-Hinomisaki Lighthouse

Overview

The Izumo-Hinomisaki Lighthouse rises at the tip of Cape Hinomisaki in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture. First lit in 1903, its 43.65-meter tower is the tallest stone lighthouse in Japan. Chosen for both the 'World 100 Lighthouses' and 'Japan's 50 Lighthouses,' and designated an Important Cultural Property, it is one of the highlights of any San'in coast journey, its white tower set against the deep blue Sea of Japan.

Highlights

• ●Japan's tallest stone lighthouse at 43.65 m
• ●First lit in 1903; an Important Cultural Property
• ●Listed among the World 100 and Japan's 50 lighthouses
• ●A dramatic cape jutting into the Sea of Japan

History

Built and first lit on April 1, 1903, the lighthouse has guided ships along the Sea of Japan for well over a century. At 43.65 meters it is the tallest stone-built lighthouse in the country, and its historical and technical value earned it status as an Important Cultural Property as well as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. It remains an active lighthouse and a living monument to modern Japanese engineering.

Map

35.4339, 132.6292 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Visit Izumo Taisha, then head to Cape Hinomisaki
2. 2Admire the white tower of the lighthouse on the cape
3. 3Enjoy Sea-of-Japan panoramas from the coastal paths
4. 4Watch the sunset frame the lighthouse at dusk

Did you know?

💡 Said to be the only lighthouse in Japan whose name uses the character 'saki' (碕), it lies within Daisen-Oki National Park. As the tallest stone lighthouse in the country, it is a must-see for lighthouse enthusiasts.

Nearby spots