Anorizaki Lighthouse

Anorizaki Lighthouse: A Rare Square Beacon on the Shima Peninsula

Standing proudly on the rugged tip of Cape Anorizaki in Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Anorizaki Lighthouse (安乗埼灯台) is one of Japan's most distinctive coastal landmarks. Unlike the round lighthouses found throughout the country, this striking white tower takes a rare square form, making it immediately recognizable against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and Matoya Bay. Designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2013, the lighthouse traces its origins back over 340 years to the Edo period and stands within the scenic beauty of Ise-Shima National Park.

A Maritime Heritage Spanning Over Three Centuries

The history of Anorizaki Lighthouse stretches back to 1681 (Enpo 9), when the Tokugawa Shogunate erected a fire beacon — known as a tōmyōdai — on this cape to guide ships navigating the treacherous waters nearby. The original structure was a modest three-meter tower topped with a paper-enclosed lantern fueled by rapeseed oil. During storms, keepers would burn firewood to maintain visibility for passing vessels.

In 1873 (Meiji 6), a modern Western-style lighthouse was constructed here under the supervision of Richard Henry Brunton, the British engineer known as the "Father of Japanese Lighthouses." This octagonal wooden lighthouse became the 20th Western-style lighthouse in Japan and was notable for being the first in the country to employ a rotating Fresnel lens — a major technological advancement for maritime navigation at the time. It was also the earliest lighthouse to be lit along the coast between Ise and Kumano.

Over the decades, coastal erosion forced the lighthouse to be relocated inland twice. In 1948 (Showa 23), the current reinforced concrete structure was built at its present location, replacing the aging wooden tower. The original octagonal wooden lighthouse — then the oldest surviving wooden lighthouse in Japan — was carefully dismantled, relocated, and eventually preserved at the Museum of Maritime Science (Fune no Kagakukan) in Shinagawa, Tokyo, where it remains on display today.

Why Anorizaki Lighthouse Is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

Anorizaki Lighthouse was officially registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property on March 29, 2013. The designation recognizes the lighthouse's architectural and historical significance. The current structure features a square-plan service building topped by a prismatic tower and a cylindrical lantern room, crowned by an octagonal steel lantern. Standing 16 meters tall with a building footprint of 27 square meters, the lighthouse is characterized by its geometric composition stripped of decorative elements — a modernist aesthetic that contributes to the historic landscape of the cape.

The lighthouse also holds cultural importance as a location featured in the classic 1957 Japanese film "Times of Joy and Sorrow" (喜びも悲しみも幾歳月), directed by Keisuke Kinoshita. This beloved film depicts the lives of lighthouse keepers and their families across Japan, and Anorizaki Lighthouse served as one of its key filming locations. Furthermore, the lighthouse has been selected as one of Japan's "50 Best Lighthouses" in recognition of its beauty and historical value.

Highlights and Attractions for Visitors

Anorizaki Lighthouse is one of only 16 "climbable lighthouses" (参観灯台) in all of Japan, making it a rare opportunity for visitors to ascend to the lantern room and enjoy panoramic views. From the top, you can witness the striking contrast between the calm, sheltered waters of Matoya Bay and the powerful, open expanse of the Pacific Ocean (Kumano-nada). On clear winter days, it is even possible to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance.

The lighthouse sits within the beautifully maintained Anorizaki Cape Park, a spacious green lawn area perfect for leisurely strolls and picnics. Within the park, visitors will find the Anorizaki Lighthouse Museum, a free-admission facility that showcases the history of the lighthouse, including a one-third scale replica of the original octagonal wooden tower, maritime navigation instruments, and materials related to the film "Times of Joy and Sorrow." A corner with simulated storm effects through light and sound offers an immersive experience of the lighthouse keeper's world.

Adjacent to the park, the Kinkoimo Kobo Ueda Shoten Lighthouse Café offers a relaxing place to enjoy local treats, particularly sweets made from kinko — dried sweet potato, a traditional Shima delicacy. The café also has a small shop where visitors can purchase local souvenirs.

For those who enjoy coastal hiking, a scenic 16-kilometer nature trail connects Anorizaki Lighthouse to Daiosaki Lighthouse at the southeastern tip of the Shima Peninsula, offering stunning views of the rias coastline along the way.

The Ama Divers and Anorizaki

The area surrounding Anorizaki Lighthouse is part of the Japan Heritage story "Toba-Shima — A Town Where You Can Meet Ama," celebrating the traditional female free-divers (ama) who have harvested shellfish and seaweed along this coast for centuries. For these divers, the lighthouse serves as an essential landmark visible from the sea, helping them orient themselves during their dives. From the top of the lighthouse, visitors may occasionally see ama divers heading out to sea along the shoreline below — a living link to a maritime tradition that has endured for over 2,000 years.

Surrounding Area and Nearby Attractions

Anorizaki Lighthouse is situated within Ise-Shima National Park, offering easy access to many of the region's finest attractions. The fishing village of Anori is renowned for Anori fugu (安乗ふぐ), a premium branded tiger pufferfish recognized as a Mie Prefecture brand product. Local ryokans and restaurants in the area serve exquisite fugu cuisine during the winter season, making it a wonderful culinary experience to pair with a lighthouse visit.

Nearby, the Anori Shrine (安乗神社) preserves a tradition of Anori Bunraku — a historic puppet theater unique to this community and designated as an intangible folk cultural property. Other notable destinations within a short drive include Daiosaki Lighthouse, the Yokoyama Observatory offering spectacular views of Ago Bay, and the Shima Spain Village theme park. The sacred Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu), one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines, is also easily accessible from this area.