An Early Western-Style Lighthouse in the Seto Inland Sea
The Nabeshima Lighthouse (鍋島灯台) is an early-Meiji stone lighthouse in Western style on Nabeshima, an islet of the Shiwaku Islands at Yoshimacho, Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on December 12, 2022. The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to 1873 with a height of 9.8 metres, while Sakaide City gives its first lighting as the 15th day of the 11th month of Meiji 5 (1872). It lies within the Setonaikai National Park.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as metal and stone with a building area of 43.83 square metres, together with a former sundial, stone walls and a former reef marker; owned by the state (Japan Coast Guard).
Brunton and the Inland Sea Lights
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the lighthouse was one of those built in the Seto Inland Sea for the opening of the port of Hyogo. It was among the first lighthouses whose siting and construction were led by the British engineer Richard Henry Brunton, the father of Japanese lighthouses, soon after he arrived in 1868.
Sakaide City notes that it is one of two Meiji-period Western-style lighthouses in Kagawa, built under Brunton's design and supervision, and that it is recognised as part of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Heritage of Industrial Modernization.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Nabeshima Lighthouse was designated an Important Cultural Property in 2022 for its high historical value. The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls it one of Japan's earliest Western-style lighthouses and a major navigational aid that has long guarded ships on the Inland Sea route to Osaka and Kobe.
What to Look For
The Nabeshima Lighthouse is a stone tower 9.8 metres high (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A former sundial, stone walls and a former reef marker are included in the designation (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
According to Sakaide City, it can be seen from cars crossing the Seto Ohashi Bridge, and from its gallery you can view the bridge, the islands of the Bisan Strait and the coast of Sanuki on Shikoku.
Visiting the Nabeshima Lighthouse
According to Sakaide City, the grounds of the Nabeshima Lighthouse have been open to the public from July 1, 2021 for the time being. No open flames; take your litter home. Enquiries: Takamatsu Coast Guard Office, Traffic Section, 087-821-7012.
It is at Nabeshima, Yoshimacho, Sakaide City, about 15 minutes' walk from the Yoshima parking area (car park 1) on the Seto-Chuo Expressway, or 3 minutes from the Urashiro bus stop, about 25 minutes by the Seto Ohashi Line bus from JR Sakaide Station (Sakaide City).
Q&A
- When was the Nabeshima Lighthouse built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs gives 1873; Sakaide City gives its first lighting in Meiji 5 (1872).
- Who designed the Nabeshima Lighthouse?
- The British engineer Richard Henry Brunton, the father of Japanese lighthouses (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Sakaide City).
- Why is the Nabeshima Lighthouse important?
- It is one of Japan's earliest Western-style lighthouses and a major aid on the Inland Sea route (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I visit the Nabeshima Lighthouse?
- The grounds have been open to the public since July 2021 for the time being (Sakaide City).
- When was the Nabeshima Lighthouse designated?
- On December 12, 2022.
Basic Information
| Name | Nabeshima Lighthouse (鍋島灯台) |
|---|---|
| Location | Nabeshima, Yoshimacho, Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2022/12/12 (Reiwa 4) |
| Quantity | 1 structure (with former sundial, stone walls and former reef marker) |
| Dimensions | Metal and stone, building area 43.83 square metres, height 9.8 metres |
| Owner | The state (Japan Coast Guard) |
| Public Access | Grounds open to the public (for the time being) |
References
- Nabeshima Lighthouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/00005485
- Nabeshima Lighthouse (Agency for Cultural Affairs, modern cultural heritage)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/kindai/todai/020/index.html
- Public opening of the Nabeshima Lighthouse grounds (Sakaide City)
- https://www.city.sakaide.lg.jp/soshiki/sangyoukankou/nabeshima-open.html
Last verified: 2026.10.10