5 Lighthouses in Hyōgo worth your time

The oldest operating private wooden lighthouse in Japan, offering a unique glimpse into Edo-period maritime history and sake brewing heritage.

What it is

• The oldest privately owned lighthouse in Japan still in active operation today.
• A wooden structure originally established in 1810 by Chobe Osabe of Ozeki Corporation.
• The current building dates back to 1858 and is a Nishinomiya City cultural property.
• A maritime beacon operated and maintained by a local sake brewing company.

What to see

• A wooden tower standing approximately 6.7 meters tall including its stone base.
• A traditional copper plate roof topping the historic timber frame.
• An inscription on the base dedicated to the Kotohira-gu Shrine.
• A red light signal that was changed from green after its 2023 relocation.

Getting there

• Accessible by walking from the Hanshin Kusugawa Station.

Official site

ozeki.co.jp

Read more about Imazu Lighthouse

A historic granite lighthouse designed by Richard Henry Brunton, offering views within the Setonaikai National Park on Awaji Island.

What it is

• A stone lighthouse designed by Richard Henry Brunton on the western side of Matsuhozaki.
• The structure first lit on June 14, 1871, and was later electrified in 1933.
• A National Important Cultural Property located within the Setonaikai National Park.
• The facility became unmanned in 1981 after over a century of operation.

What to see

• The original lighthouse tower constructed using granite from Ieshima.
• A historic stone structure that survived significant damage from the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.
• Coastal views from its position on the western side of Matsuhozaki.

Getting there

• Take the Awaji City bus to the Matsuhoura stop.

Read more about Esaki Lighthouse

Japan's oldest iron lighthouse is a historic hexagonal structure designed by Richard Henry Brunton, now preserved in a seaside park.

What it is

• The oldest existing iron lighthouse in Japan, originally built in 1884.
• A registered Tangible Cultural Property designed by engineer Richard Henry Brunton.
• A historic structure relocated to Suma Seaside Park in 1964.
• A retired maritime beacon known locally as the Red Lighthouse.

What to see

• A three-story hexagonal iron tower standing 15.76 meters tall.
• The distinctive red exterior that gives the structure its local nickname.
• Historical ironwork construction dating back to the Meiji era.
• The surrounding grounds of Suma Seaside Park near the coast.

Getting there

• A five-minute walk from Suma Kaihinkoen Station.

Official site

kobesuma-seaside-park.jp

Read more about Wadamisaki Lighthouse

This 1657 stone structure is Japan's oldest existing lighthouse, offering a rare look at Edo-period maritime history in Akashi Port.

What it is

• The oldest existing stone lighthouse in Japan, originally built in 1657.
• Commissioned by Akashi Lord Matsudaira Tadakuni to serve as a navigational aid.
• A Registered Tangible Cultural Property that functioned as a light until 1963.
• A historic landmark appearing on regional maps dating back to 1649.

What to see

• The original stone-built structure located at the edge of Akashi Port.
• A wooden lantern section restored based on photographs from the Meiji era.
• Traditional masonry that has survived since the early Edo period.
• The site where gas lighting was first implemented in 1873.

Read more about Akashi Port Old Lighthouse

Japan's highest elevation lighthouse offers views of the Tanba Peninsula and historical ties to the legendary Taira clan.

What it is

• A lighthouse standing at Japan's highest elevation of 284 meters on Cape Isasa.
• First lit in 1951 and rebuilt into its current structure in 1985.
• An unmanned facility locally known as the Misaki Lighthouse.
• A site associated with the historical legends of the Taira clan.

What to see

• The lighthouse tower which was the first in Japan with automated backup power.
• Panoramic views of the Tanba Peninsula visible on clear days.

Getting there

• A ten minute drive from Amarube Station to the lighthouse site.
• Local buses run to the location from Kasumi Station.

Read more about Amarubesaki Lighthouse