One of Japan’s Oldest Western-Style Lighthouses
Designed by British Engineer Richard Henry Brunton
The history of Tomogashima Lighthouse dates back to the early years of the Meiji era, when Japan was rapidly developing a modern maritime transportation network.
In 1868, the new Japanese government invited British engineer Richard Henry Brunton to Japan to help build modern lighthouses. Brunton went on to design and supervise the construction of numerous lighthouses throughout the country and became known as one of the leading figures in the development of Japan’s early lighthouse system.
Following the opening of Hyogo Port, now Kobe Port, it became increasingly important to improve navigation through the Kii Channel. Brunton recognized the strategic importance of Tomogashima and proposed constructing a lighthouse on the islands to help guide ships traveling through these busy waters.
Construction began on April 7, 1870. After approximately two years and two months of work, the lighthouse was completed, and its light was first illuminated on June 25, 1872.
It was one of the early Western-style lighthouses constructed under the agreements associated with Japan’s opening to international trade and is traditionally regarded as the eighth Western-style lighthouse completed in Japan.
The Architecture of Tomogashima Lighthouse
A Beautiful Stone Tower Built from Granite
One of the most striking features of Tomogashima Lighthouse is its stone tower, which preserves the architectural character and construction techniques of the early Meiji period.
The circular tower was constructed from carefully cut blocks of granite, giving the lighthouse its distinctive white appearance. The tower itself is approximately 12.2 meters high.
Because it stands on elevated ground at approximately 51 meters above sea level, the light is positioned high above the surrounding coastline, allowing it to guide ships navigating the Kii Channel.
Architectural Details
Structure: Circular stone lighthouse
Tower height: Approximately 12.2 meters
Height of light: Approximately 60 meters above sea level
Designer: Richard Henry Brunton
Construction material: Cut granite masonry
Location: Okinoshima, Tomogashima, Kada, Wakayama City
The lantern room at the top is capped by a distinctive domed metal roof. Its elegant proportions and white stone construction give the building a graceful appearance that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding forest and sea.
A Lighthouse Relocated Because of a Military Fortress
Sharing the Island with the Yura Fortress
Tomogashima Lighthouse originally stood in a slightly different location from where it stands today.
The first lighthouse was built approximately 25 meters farther west, closer to the sea. During the late nineteenth century, however, Tomogashima became increasingly important from a military perspective.
To protect Osaka Bay, the former Imperial Japanese Army developed the Yura Fortress system around the Kitan Strait. Several gun batteries were constructed on Tomogashima, including the First through Fifth Batteries, transforming the islands into a major defensive position.
The original position of the lighthouse was considered potentially obstructive to military operations. As a result, in 1890, the lighthouse was moved approximately 25 meters east to its present location.
This unusual history means that Tomogashima Lighthouse represents two different aspects of Japan’s modern history at the same time: it was built to protect maritime navigation, while the island around it was later transformed into a strategic military fortress.
A Light That Survived the War
The Lighthouse During World War II
For many decades after its construction, the light of Tomogashima Lighthouse continued to guide ships through the Kii Channel.
During the final stages of World War II, however, the lighthouse was damaged in an attack by American military aircraft in 1945. At one point, the light also had to be extinguished for military reasons.
After the war ended, the lighthouse was temporarily restored, and its light was switched on again on August 16, 1945.
Since then, Tomogashima Lighthouse has continued its role as a maritime landmark, watching over vessels traveling through the waters around the islands.
A Nationally Registered Cultural Property
In November 2015, Tomogashima Lighthouse was registered as a Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
It has also been recognized as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and designated as a Preserved Lighthouse by the Japan Coast Guard.
Among Japan’s preserved lighthouses, it is regarded as a particularly important example and is an essential part of the country’s lighthouse heritage.
For visitors interested in architecture and industrial history, the lighthouse provides a fascinating opportunity to see an actual surviving structure from the early stages of Japan’s modernization.
The History of Tomogashima
An Island Once Closed to the Public
Tomogashima is a group of four islands: Okinoshima, Torajima, Kamishima, and Jinoshima. Today, the islands are known for their forests, coastal scenery, hiking trails, and historical ruins.
For much of the period from the Meiji era until the end of World War II, however, Tomogashima was a restricted military zone. Ordinary people were not free to enter the islands.
Because the islands lie at the entrance to Osaka Bay, the Imperial Japanese Army constructed the Yura Fortress to defend the strategic waterway. Gun batteries, ammunition depots, barracks, and other military facilities were built throughout the islands.
Many of the remains can still be seen today. Red-brick military structures stand among the trees, creating a distinctive landscape in which history and nature have gradually become intertwined.
Hiking Among Lighthouses and Fortress Ruins
A Unique Blend of History and Nature
The area around Tomogashima Lighthouse is a popular walking and hiking destination, particularly for visitors who want to explore the island’s military heritage.
The First Battery ruins are located near the lighthouse, creating an unusual scene in which a Western-style lighthouse from the early Meiji era stands alongside military structures from a later period.
Walking through the forest, visitors can discover old brick walls, ammunition facilities, gun battery remains, viewpoints overlooking the sea, and the bright white lighthouse.
The experience can feel as though several different periods of Japanese history exist together in one landscape.
A Popular Photography Destination
Tomogashima has also attracted photographers because of the way its natural scenery and historic architecture complement one another.
A particularly beautiful combination is the white lighthouse against the blue sea and lush green forest. Depending on the season and weather, the surrounding landscape can take on a completely different character.
The contrast between the peaceful island environment and its former military role makes Tomogashima especially atmospheric.
Tomogashima Lighthouse Information
Location
Okinoshima, Tomogashima, Kada, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
First Lit
June 25, 1872
Lighthouse Data
Tower height: Approximately 12.2 meters
Height of light: Approximately 60 meters
Structure: Stone
Light characteristic: Alternating white and red flashes
Range: Approximately 20.5 nautical miles
Designer: Richard Henry Brunton
A Historic Beacon in the Kitan Strait
Tomogashima Lighthouse is much more than an old lighthouse. It is a surviving symbol of the period when Japan was rapidly adopting Western technology and developing a modern maritime infrastructure.
For more than 150 years, its light has been associated with the safe navigation of ships through the Kii Channel. At the same time, its history is inseparable from Tomogashima’s transformation into a military fortress.
Today, visitors can walk through the island’s forests, explore the remains of the old gun batteries, enjoy views of the sea, and admire the elegant white lighthouse.
The combination of historic architecture, military heritage, lush nature, and coastal scenery makes Tomogashima a particularly rewarding destination for travelers interested in Japan beyond its major cities.
For those visiting Wakayama, a journey to Tomogashima offers a rare opportunity to experience Japan’s modernization, maritime history, and natural beauty in a single unforgettable landscape.