Nabeshima Lighthouse

Round and cute, the first Western-style lighthouse in the Seto Inland Sea

The Nabeshima Lighthouse - The First Western-style Lighthouse in the Seto Inland Sea, Round and Charming

The Nabeshima Lighthouse is one of the Western-style lighthouses built during the Meiji period, designed and supervised by Richard Henry Brunton. It was first lit on November 15th of the 5th year of Meiji (December 15, 1872). Even after more than 150 years since its first lighting, it continues to safeguard vessels traveling through the Bisan-Seto Channel with its red and green lights.

The Chalk Lighthouse

Nabeshima Lighthouse is accessible on foot from Yoshima. Nabeshima literally means ‘cooking pot island’, taking its name from the cute, chubby shape that resembles an upturned cooking pot. The lighthouse constructed atop the island is built from chalk stone and are charmingly round. The lighthouse alternates between fixed red and green lights, ensuring there is never any blackout period.

The lighthouse was designated a national Important Cultural Property on December 12, 2022, and it is highly valued as an important facility, recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry as a Heritage of Modern Industry site.
Accessible by a simple 15-minute walk from the Yoshima Parking Area, why not check out this significant location for yourself when you cross the Great Seto Bridge?