Establishment: November 15, 1874

Characteristics: single Flashing white light (one flash every 15 seconds)

Luminous intensity: 1.1 million candela

Range: 19 NM

Light source: metal halide light bulb Lens: 1st-Order four sided Fresnel lens (height of lens: 2.6m)

Height: 52m (from M.S.L), 31m (from G.L)

Other equipment: Meteorological equipment including live cameras AIS land station

Brief History of Lighthouse

Inubosaki Lighthouse is located in Choshi-city, 100km from Tokyo and facing the Pacific Ocean. Inubosaki region has a moderate temperature thanks to the warm current of the Pacific Ocean; the temperature attracted the people, making the city famous as a hub of fishery and logistics in Edo-era (1603-1868).

Inubosaki is being known as a dangerous area for mariners: there are rocky reefs and shallow waters around the cape, there is also fogs in the summer season. Those harsh environment has led to many maritime tragedies: in 1868, for example, 13 ship crews were died when a Japanese warship stranded around the cape.

Off-shore of Inubosaki region has also been recognized as a critical turning point for the vessels on the Japan-North America route. The safety of navigation between Japan and the United States was of keen interest to both countries. After establishing the diplomatic relationship between Japan and the United States in 1859, the U.S. requested Japan to construct a lighthouse at Inubosaki. In response to this, the lighthouse was built in 1874 under the design and supervision of a British engineer Richard Henry Brunton.

R.H. Brunton, known as the “father of Japanese lighthouses”, designed 26 lighthouses and 2 light vessels of Japan, and engaged in lighthouses construction projects for 8 years in Japan as a supervisor. His designed lighthouses that are made of stone or brick continue their mission over 100 years in the harsh environment of coastal areas.

Inubosaki lighthouse, 31m height from G.L, was constructed by bricks made in Japan, with a petroleum lamp and a 1st order Fresnel lens in 1874. Due to its huge luminous intensity for the time of 27,500 Candle Power, there was a episode that fishermen living near the lighthouse were afraid of the negative effect to their fishery activities before its commencement operation; however, their concern didn’t come true; the amount of skipjack tuna, for which Choshi-city is famous, was impressively high in 1875.

Prior to operation in 1874, the 1st Generation Fresnel lens was tested in the presence of the Meiji Emperor and Empress. In 1945 during WWII, the 1st Generation Fresnel lens was destroyed. In 1951, a new Fresnel lens, which was the first to be made in the JCG’s lens factory, was installed at the lighthouse.

In 1910, the fog signal station building in the lighthouse site was constructed and its operation was started. The station building is made of steel and has retained its strength even after it is being exposed to the harsh environment of a coastal area over 100 years. After the station was terminated its operation in 2008, the building was preserved as a part of the lighthouse museum: the 1st Generation lens is conserved in the building.

In 1985, Japan Coast Guard, in cooperation with the Japan Aids to Navigation Association, initiated the project to preserve the heritage lighthouses. As one of the major results of the project, the tower of Inubosaki lighthouse was seismically strengthened in 1987, while maintaining its original appearance as much as possible.

Since November 15, 1874, Inubosaki Lighthouse contributes to the safety of navigation on the Japan-North America route.

In addition to the value as an ATON, this lighthouse has a historical value due to its technological aspects: it was the first lighthouse built by 193,000 bricks made in Japan. Before the construction of the lighthouse, bricks made in Japan were considered to be of inferior quality to those imported from the major powers; the lighthouse highlighted the progress of modernisation in Japan in the 19th century.

Furthermore, it was a brick made lighthouse to be built with double wall structure; R.H. Brunton used this structure only for four brick made lighthouses in Japan. Inubosaki lighthouse is one of these lighthouses, which adds to the historical value of the lighthouse in terms of architecture. There is discussion that this structure may have worked as an aseismic function; it is possible that the structure prevents the tower from collapsing in this seismically active area.

With a first order Fresnel lens, this lighthouse is loved by the local community as one of the symbols of Choshi-city. Since Edo-era, Inubosaki has been much-loved as the subject of artworks; literatures, paintings, and Haikus (Japanese-Poems); with the beautiful view from the lighthouse, you can enjoy the footprints of the artists as well as a history of modernisation in Japan in Meiji-era.

This year (2024) marks the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. The history of the lighthouse overlaps with the history of Japan in these 150 years, which includes the rapid modernisation and westernisation from the Samurai period, the reconstruction after the Second World War and the re-evaluation of infrastructure in terms of cultural heritage after the rapid economic growth between the 1950s and 1980s.

There is a Public Private Partnership on the maintenance of Inubosaki Lighthouse in accordance with the amended Aids to Navigation Act of 2021: Tokokai and the Japan Coast Guard, carry out the daily maintenance.

In order to preserve the historical and cultural value of the lighthouse, the Japanese government declared it as a cultural property:

2010: National Tangible Cultural Property

2014: National Tangible Cultural Property (Fog Whistle Station of the lighthouse)

2020: National Important Cultural Property

Inubosaki Lighthouse, the fog whistle station that was operated until 2002, and the lighthouse museum, which houses the largest Fresnel lens in Japan, are open to the public. Thanks to the easy access to the lighthouse (10 minutes from a train station), there is over 100,000 visitors per year.

For those who are not able to visit the lighthouse, you can enjoy the virtual tour to the lighthouse, fog whistle station, and museum from the link below:

https://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/soshiki/koutsuu/onetapview/inubousakilh/tour.html.

There are some events using this lighthouse by the JCG including as follows:

On Children’s Day: Hanging koi-nobori (carp steamers) at the lighthouse

Around Lighthouse Memorial Day of Japan (November 1): some exhibitions by the JCG.

There are also some events organised by the Inubosaki Brunton Society a group of lighthouse enthusiasts:

Inubosaki Lighthouse Maiden Training Course: Enjoy learning, protecting, and conveying the history and attractiveness of Inubosaki Lighthouse, and acquire the ability necessary to popularize the lighthouse.

Education

Inubosaki lighthouse is a platform for education: there is a partnership between Japan Coast Guard and Takagami elementary school that is very close to the lighthouse. In the “school of lighthouse”, the children study the history and role of lighthouses, maritime safety, marine environment protection, as well as the splendor of the sea.

The JCG and the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) of Scotland have been actively coordinating to formalize an agreement that will establish a sibling lighthouse relationship between Inubosaki Lighthouse in Japan and Mull of Galloway Lighthouse in Scotland. This historic agreement, expected to be signed in 2024, marks a significant milestone in lighthouse collaboration, as it will be the first-ever sibling lighthouse agreement in the world.

Inubosaki Lighthouse was designed by Richard Henry Brunton, a Scottish engineer who received his training in lighthouse construction from the distinguished Stevenson family. The Stevensons, renowned for their contributions to lighthouse engineering, were instrumental in shaping Brunton’s expertise before he brought his skills to Japan. On the other side of the globe, Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, standing proudly on Scotland’s southernmost point, was constructed by Robert Stevenson, a leading figure in lighthouse engineering and a key member of this family.

This sibling lighthouse agreement not only highlights the shared historical ties between the two lighthouses and their countries but also envisions a future of enhanced cooperation. The partnership is expected to foster collaboration between national agencies, paving the way for valuable exchanges among local governments and private organizations. These interactions will strengthen mutual support and promote a deeper understanding of AtoN operations and developments. Furthermore, it will offer an opportunity for both nations to enhance their efforts in promoting their rich maritime heritage.

The agreement underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in the maritime sector. It symbolizes a shared commitment to the safety navigation and the preservation of historical maritime infrastructures, while fostering cultural and professional exchanges that transcend national boundaries.